Delta Air Lines has faced significant operational challenges, leading to the cancellation of hundreds of flights on Monday, following a global software outage that disrupted travel for several days.
On Sunday alone, Delta canceled 1,300 flights and delayed another 1,600, according to data from FlightAware. The airline had already scrapped over 3,500 flights between Friday and Saturday. By 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta reported the cancellation of 626 flights and 144 delays, representing about 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines canceled only 38 flights and delayed 155, which is approximately 5% of its planned flights.
The issues have been traced back to a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which was implemented late Thursday. This update disrupted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems that many corporate users rely on, resulting in widespread access problems and instances of the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The fallout from the software failure rippled through various sectors, affecting healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions, with airlines and airports particularly hard-hit. On Friday, there were over 46,000 flight delays and more than 5,100 cancellations across multiple airlines, with Delta suffering the most.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, expressed regret over the situation in a statement, emphasizing that canceling flights is a last resort. He apologized to those impacted, acknowledging the difficulties that travel disruptions can cause.
Bastian indicated that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft’s software for many applications, including a crucial crew tracking tool which was unable to function properly due to the incident. In response to the disruptions, Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights at no extra cost, in addition to providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg addressed concerns on social media, revealing that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the disruptions. He urged the airline to ensure that affected customers receive refunds, free rebooking options, and timely reimbursements for expenses related to meals and lodging. Buttigieg emphasized that no traveler should be left stranded overnight at an airport or face excessive wait times for customer service assistance.