The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure that the airline is adequately addressing consumer rights in the wake of numerous flight cancellations following a global tech outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for all airline passengers, pledging to uphold this right. He noted that the department had received hundreds of complaints regarding Delta’s response to the recent tech difficulties.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced significant challenges in resuming normal operations following a flawed software update conducted by the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which occurred late Thursday. This update led to issues affecting Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access their systems, with some even encountering the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The repercussions of the tech glitch were felt across almost every major industry, particularly impacting healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions. Airlines and airports experienced severe disruption; on Friday, over 46,000 flights were delayed and around 5,171 were canceled, according to data from FlightAware. Delta experienced the most extensive impact.
Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday alone. The airline reported more than 2,500 cancellations on Sunday and Monday, along with an additional 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, 738 flights had already been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the situation, 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 acknowledged the disruption caused to travelers, reaffirming the airline’s commitment to connecting people worldwide.
Bastian also mentioned that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for many applications, including a crew tracking tool, which was unable to function correctly due to the tech interruptions. In response to the ongoing situation, Delta has provided a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights without penalty, along with offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.