Delta Air Lines faced significant disruptions on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as it continued to recover from a global software failure that had grounded and delayed flights worldwide over the weekend.
On Sunday alone, Delta canceled 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600, as reported by FlightAware. The airline had previously halted more than 3,500 flights across Delta and Delta Connection on Friday and Saturday.
By 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, marking approximately 20% of its planned operations for the day. In comparison, American Airlines canceled 38 flights and delayed 155, which corresponds to about 5% of its planned flights.
The source of Delta’s challenges stemmed from a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday night. This bug affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leading corporate users to face difficulties, including the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had far-reaching implications across various industries, impacting healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions. However, airlines, especially Delta, experienced the most severe repercussions, with over 46,000 flights delayed and 5,171 canceled on Friday alone.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the disruptions, emphasizing that canceling flights is a last resort for the airline. He acknowledged the inconvenience caused to travelers and reiterated Delta’s commitment to connecting the world.
Bastian explained that Delta relies heavily on various applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including a tool for tracking crew schedules, which failed to adapt to the shutdown. To assist affected customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, along with offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
In response to the airline’s handling of the situation, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that his department had received numerous complaints. He emphasized the need for Delta to refund customers, offer free rebooking, and provide timely reimbursements for food and lodging associated with the disruptions.
“No one should be stranded at an airport overnight or stuck on hold for hours waiting to speak with a customer service representative,” Buttigieg asserted.