Delta Air Lines experienced a significant number of flight cancellations and delays on Monday, following a global software outage that had impacted the airline’s operations over the weekend. The Atlanta-based carrier canceled approximately 1,300 flights on Sunday and delayed another 1,600, according to FlightAware. In total, Delta had canceled over 3,500 flights between Friday and Saturday.
As of 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta had already canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, which accounted for about 20% of its planned operations for the day. In contrast, American Airlines reported just 38 canceled flights and 155 delays, representing about 5% of its schedule.
The outages were reportedly linked to a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which took place late Thursday. This update adversely affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving corporate users struggling with accessibility issues, including the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
Numerous industries, including healthcare, delivery, retail, and finance, suffered due to this incident, with airlines experiencing the most significant impact. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed and 5,171 canceled, making Delta the hardest hit.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, expressed regret about the situation, stating that canceling flights is always a last resort. Bastian apologized to customers affected by the disruptions and emphasized Delta’s commitment to connecting travelers worldwide. The airline has introduced a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights free of charge and has provided meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg revealed via social media that his department received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s management of the crisis. He stressed that the airline must offer refunds, free rebooking, and prompt reimbursements for expenses incurred, such as food and hotel stays, for impacted customers. Buttigieg advocated that no travelers should have to sleep overnight at the airport or endure long waits to reach customer service.