The U.S. Department of Transportation is investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is adequately addressing consumer concerns following a series of flight cancellations triggered by a global tech outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that all airline passengers are entitled to fair treatment, and he is committed to upholding that right. He noted that his department has received hundreds of complaints regarding Delta’s response to the tech issues.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in fully resuming its operations after a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike last Thursday, which had widespread repercussions for businesses globally. The faulty update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access essential systems, with some experiencing critical errors like the “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident disrupted nearly all major industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, but airlines and airports were particularly hard-hit. According to FlightAware, over 46,000 flights were delayed and 5,171 were canceled on Friday alone, with Delta suffering the most significant impact.
Delta reported canceling approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday, with more than 2,500 cancellations over the weekend and an additional 3,441 delays. On Tuesday, 738 flights were again canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian addressed the disruptions, emphasizing that canceling flights is a last resort and not a decision taken lightly. He apologized to affected customers, acknowledging the challenges that travel disruptions create. Bastian explained that many of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including tools for crew tracking that were unable to adjust due to the system failures. To assist affected customers, Delta is offering a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, as well as meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.