Delta Air Lines faced significant operational challenges on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as it continued to recover from a global software outage that disrupted services for three days. This incident, linked to a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday, caused widespread issues, particularly affecting Microsoft’s Windows operating systems.
On Sunday, Delta canceled 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600 more, as reported by FlightAware. In total, the airline had already canceled over 3,500 flights, including those operated by Delta Connection, between Friday and Saturday. By Monday morning, approximately 20% of Delta’s planned operations were affected, with 626 flights canceled and 144 delayed. In contrast, American Airlines reported much fewer disturbances, with only 38 cancellations and 155 delays.
The disruption caused by the software update created issues for numerous industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, with airlines and airports bearing the brunt of the impact. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights experienced delays, and 5,171 were canceled, with Delta being the most affected carrier.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, expressed regret for the inconveniences faced by travelers, emphasizing that canceling flights is a last resort for the airline. He noted that many of Delta’s operations rely on Microsoft Windows, which hindered the functionality of crucial crew tracking tools during the outages. To assist affected customers, Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, alongside providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced via social media that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the travel disruptions. He emphasized the necessity for Delta to offer refunds, free rebooking, and timely reimbursements for expenses related to meals and hotel stays for those impacted. Buttigieg highlighted the importance of ensuring travelers are not left stranded at airports or left waiting for extended periods to reach customer support.