Delta Air Lines canceled hundreds of flights on Monday as the airline continues to face challenges in recovering from a global software outage that disrupted travel worldwide three days earlier.
On Sunday alone, Delta canceled 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600, according to FlightAware. Between Friday and Saturday, the airline had already canceled more than 3,500 flights operated by Delta and its regional partner, Delta Connection.
As of around 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta reported 626 canceled flights and 144 delays, representing about 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines canceled just 38 flights and delayed 155, amounting to about 5% of its planned operations.
The difficulties for Delta stem from a problematic software update conducted by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday, which impacted Microsoft Windows operating systems. This left many corporate users unable to access their systems, with some experiencing the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The disruption affected numerous sectors, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, but the airline industry faced particularly severe consequences. On Friday, over 46,000 flights were delayed and more than 5,171 were canceled, with Delta experiencing the most significant impact.
“We do not take flight cancellations lightly. It is always a last resort,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian stated on Sunday. He expressed his apologies to all those affected, emphasizing Delta’s commitment to connecting the world and the difficulty posed by travel disruptions.
Bastian explained that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for various applications, including tools for crew tracking that were unable to adapt to system shutdowns. To assist impacted customers, Delta has issued a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, along with meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also addressed the situation on social media, noting that his department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the disruptions. He emphasized that Delta must provide refunds, facilitate free rebooking, and ensure timely reimbursements for customers’ food and hotel expenses.
“Buttigieg added, “No one should be stranded overnight at an airport or stuck on hold for extended periods waiting for customer service.”