Delta Air Lines faced significant disruptions on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as the airline struggled to recover from a global software outage that grounded and delayed flights worldwide for three days.
On Sunday alone, Delta canceled 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600, according to FlightAware. Prior to that, the airline had canceled over 3,500 flights across Delta and Delta Connection on Friday and Saturday. By 8 a.m. ET on Monday, the airline canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, which accounted for about 20% of its scheduled flights. In contrast, American Airlines reported only 38 canceled flights and 155 delays, approximately 5% of its flights.
The disruptions were linked to a faulty software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which occurred late Thursday. This update adversely affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, resulting in corporate users losing access to their systems, with some even experiencing the “Blue Screen of Death.”
The worldwide incident had a far-reaching impact, affecting industries such as healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, but the airline sector faced particularly substantial setbacks. On Friday, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and more than 5,171 were canceled, with Delta being the most affected.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, expressed regret over the cancellations, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to every one of you who have been impacted by these events.” He emphasized Delta’s commitment to connecting travelers and acknowledged the challenges caused by the disruptions.
Bastian noted that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for various applications, including a tool used for tracking crews, which was unable to function due to the software failure. In response, the airline has issued a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights free of charge along with providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also addressed the situation on social media, stating that his department received numerous complaints about Delta’s response to the crisis. He emphasized that the airline must ensure refunds, free rebooking, and prompt reimbursements for affected customers’ food and hotel costs, adding, “No one should be stranded at an airport overnight or stuck on hold for hours waiting to talk to a customer service agent.”