Delta Air Lines faced significant disruptions this week, canceling hundreds of flights as the airline struggled to recover from a global software outage that left it reeling for three days.
On Sunday alone, Delta canceled 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600, according to FlightAware data. This followed a larger wave of cancellations over the weekend, where more than 3,500 Delta and Delta Connection flights were grounded between Friday and Saturday.
By Monday morning, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, representing about 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines reported only 38 cancellations and 155 delays, amounting to approximately 5% of its planned flights.
The disruptions were traced back to a faulty software update carried out by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday night. A defect in this update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving corporate users with access issues and some experiencing the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The crisis impacted nearly all major industries, including healthcare, retail, delivery services, and financial institutions, with airlines and airports hit particularly hard. On Friday, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and 5,171 were canceled according to FlightAware, with Delta suffering the heaviest blow.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, issued an apology on Sunday, emphasizing that canceling flights is a last resort for the airline. He acknowledged the disruption and its difficulty for travelers. Bastian pointed out that many Delta applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including a crew tracking tool that failed during the system breakdown.
To mitigate the situation, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change flights without charge and is offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg took to social media to express concerns about Delta’s response to the disruptions, noting that his department had received “hundreds of complaints.” He stressed that Delta must ensure timely refunds, free rebooking options, and reimbursements for meals and hotel stays for those affected, stating that no traveler should be left stranded at an airport overnight or on hold for extended periods while seeking customer service.