Delta Air Lines faced significant disruptions over the weekend, canceling hundreds of flights as it struggled to recover from a global software outage that grounded numerous trips worldwide. On Sunday, the Atlanta-based airline canceled approximately 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600, as reported by FlightAware. This followed more than 3,500 cancellations of Delta and Delta Connection flights from Friday to Saturday.
By Monday morning, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, accounting for about 20% of its planned operations for the day. In comparison, American Airlines only canceled 38 flights and delayed 155, which is about 5% of its scheduled flights.
The disruptions were linked to a faulty software update by the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems. This update left many corporate users unable to access their systems, leading to widespread issues, including the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.” The impact was felt across various sectors, but the airline industry was particularly hard-hit, with over 46,000 flight delays and more than 5,171 cancellations reported on Friday alone, with Delta experiencing the most significant challenges.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret in a statement, emphasizing that canceling flights is a last resort. He extended his apologies to passengers affected by the disruption, highlighting Delta’s commitment to connecting people and acknowledging the difficulties caused by travel interruptions.
Bastian noted that the airline relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for many applications, including tools essential for crew tracking, which were unable to function due to the software issues. To assist affected travelers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights without fees, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg acknowledged on social media that the department received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the disruptions. He emphasized that Delta is expected to offer refunds, free rebooking, and prompt reimbursements for expenses such as food and hotel stays for impacted customers, adding that no one should have to spend the night stranded at an airport or wait excessively on hold for customer service.