Delta Air Lines canceled hundreds of flights on Monday as it continued to deal with disruptions following a global software outage that affected operations for three days.
The Atlanta-based airline reported the cancellation of 1,300 flights and 1,600 delays on Sunday, according to FlightAware. Over the previous two days, Delta and its regional partner, Delta Connection, had canceled more than 3,500 flights.
As of Monday morning, Delta canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, which accounted for about 20% of its planned operations for the day. In contrast, American Airlines only canceled 38 flights and delayed 155, representing roughly 5% of its schedule.
The disruptions were linked to a flawed software update by CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity firm, which took place late Thursday night. This defective update impacted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, causing many users to lose access and experience critical failures, including the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The fallout from this incident extended across numerous industries, notably impacting healthcare providers, delivery firms, retailers, and financial institutions. Airlines and airports faced the brunt of the disruption, with over 46,000 flight delays and 5,171 cancellations reported on Friday alone. Delta experienced some of the most significant impacts.
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.” He apologized to all affected travelers, emphasizing the challenge disrupted travel presents.
Bastian highlighted that many of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including tools critical for tracking crew operations, which led to complications following the outage. To assist passengers, Delta issued travel waivers allowing customers to change flights without fees and provided meal vouchers, hotel rooms, and transportation options.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg noted on social media that his department received “hundreds of complaints” about Delta’s response to the situation. He emphasized the need for Delta to provide refunds, free rebooking, and prompt reimbursement for expenses incurred due to the interruptions.
“No one should be stranded at an airport overnight or stuck on hold for hours waiting to talk to a customer service agent,” Buttigieg stated.