Delta Air Lines faced significant disruptions on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as it worked to recover from a global software outage that caused widespread delays and cancellations over the weekend.
The Atlanta-based airline canceled approximately 1,300 flights on Sunday and delayed around 1,600, according to FlightAware. Between Friday and Saturday, Delta had already canceled over 3,500 flights, impacting passengers significantly. By 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta reported 626 canceled flights and 144 delays, representing about 20% of its operations for the day. In contrast, American Airlines canceled only 38 flights and delayed 155, accounting for about 5% of their planned flights.
The disruptions were triggered by a failed software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, initiated late Thursday night. This update malfunction affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access their systems and dealing with issues such as the “Blue Screen of Death.”
This incident affected nearly every major industry, including healthcare, retail, delivery services, and finance, but airlines faced particularly severe impacts. On Friday alone, more than 46,000 flights were delayed and 5,171 were canceled, with Delta suffering the most.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, expressed regret in a statement on Sunday, 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 noted that Delta relies heavily on applications utilizing Microsoft Windows, including tools for crew tracking, which were hindered by the software issues. To assist affected travelers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free changes, along with offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transport options.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg highlighted on social media that his department received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the disruptions. He emphasized that Delta should provide refunds, free rebooking options, and timely reimbursements for any incurred expenses related to food and accommodation for affected customers. Buttigieg stated, “No one should be stranded at an airport overnight or stuck on hold for hours waiting to talk to a customer service agent.”