Delta Air Lines faced significant operational challenges on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as it continues to recover from a global software outage that occurred three days prior. The Atlanta-based airline reported the cancellation of 1,300 flights and the delay of 1,600 flights on Sunday alone, following over 3,500 cancellations between Friday and Saturday.
By 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, accounting for roughly 20% of its scheduled operations. In comparison, American Airlines faced much fewer disruptions, with only 38 cancellations and 155 delays.
The problems arose from a failed software update implemented by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday. This flaw affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access their systems, with some even encountering the critical “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had wide-ranging effects across numerous industries, including healthcare, logistics, retail, and finance. Airlines and airports were particularly hard-hit, with over 46,000 flight delays and 5,171 cancellations reported on Friday alone, with Delta being the most affected.
Delta 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 addressed the challenges faced by travelers due to the disruptions and offered apologies to those impacted. Delta has initiated a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights free of charge and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg highlighted that his department received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation. He emphasized that Delta is obligated to offer refunds, free rebooking, and prompt reimbursements for expenses incurred on food and accommodations by affected travelers, asserting that “no one should be stranded at an airport overnight or stuck on hold for hours waiting to talk to a customer service agent.”