Delta Air Lines faced significant challenges on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as it struggled to recover from a global software outage that caused widespread disruptions over the weekend.
The Atlanta-based airline reported canceling 1,300 flights and delaying 1,600 on Sunday, with over 3,500 Delta and Delta Connection flights grounded between Friday and Saturday, according to FlightAware. By about 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, which accounted for roughly 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines canceled only 38 flights and postponed 155, representing about 5% of its planned flights.
The problems originated from a flawed software update implemented by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday, which adversely affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems. This glitch left corporate users without access to critical systems and caused instances of the “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had widespread implications, impacting numerous sectors, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. Airlines, particularly Delta, experienced the most severe fallout, with over 46,000 flights delayed and more than 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, as per FlightAware.
In response to the disruption, Delta CEO Ed Bastian issued an apology, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He emphasized Delta’s commitment to connecting people and acknowledged the difficulties passengers faced due to the cancellations. The airline has offered affected customers a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, as well as meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg voiced concerns on social media, stating his department received numerous complaints about Delta’s response to the situation. He urged the airline to provide refunds, free rebooking options, and timely reimbursements for expenses such as food and hotel stays incurred by stranded travelers. He stressed that no one should be left overnight at an airport or have to wait hours for customer service assistance.