Delta Air Lines faced significant challenges on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as it continued to recover from a global software outage that impacted air travel over the weekend. The airline had already canceled more than 3,500 flights between Friday and Saturday, with an additional 1,300 cancellations and 1,600 delays reported on Sunday, according to FlightAware.
By 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, representing approximately 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines experienced fewer disruptions, with only 38 canceled flights and 155 delays, making up about 5% of its planned flights.
The disruptions were triggered by a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike that occurred late Thursday. This update adversely affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving corporate users without access to key systems and encountering issues like the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident disrupted numerous major industries, including healthcare, delivery, retail, and financial services. Airlines, particularly Delta, suffered the most significant impact; on Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and more than 5,171 were canceled.
In a statement, Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the cancellations, emphasizing that they are always seen as a last resort. He apologized to those affected, reaffirming the airline’s commitment to connecting people and the difficulties presented by travel disruptions. Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change flights for free and has offered meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg highlighted the complaints his department received regarding Delta’s response to the situation. He insisted that Delta must ensure refunds, rebooking options, and prompt reimbursements for affected customers, stating that no passenger should endure being stranded overnight at an airport or spend excessive time waiting for customer service assistance.