Delta Air Lines faced significant operational challenges on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as it continued to recover from a global software outage that occurred three days prior, disrupting travel worldwide.
The Atlanta-based airline had already canceled around 1,300 flights and delayed approximately 1,600 on Sunday, with more than 3,500 Delta and Delta Connection flights canceled between Friday and Saturday.
By 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, which amounted to about 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines reported only 38 cancellations and 155 delays, representing about 5% of its planned flights.
The root of Delta’s troubles was a faulty software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike implemented late Thursday, which affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems. This malfunction left corporate users struggling to access their systems and, in severe cases, experiencing the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted numerous sectors, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. However, airlines and airports bore the brunt of the malfunction, leading to over 46,000 flight delays and 5,171 cancellations on Friday alone, with Delta suffering the most.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the disruptions, 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 emphasized Delta’s commitment to connecting travelers while acknowledging the difficulty caused by the interruptions.
Bastian noted that Delta relies on a substantial number of applications using Microsoft Windows, including tools for crew management that were unable to adapt to the unexpected system outage. In response, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights without penalty, along with offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
In the wake of the disruptions, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s management of the situation. He urged that the airline must ensure refunds, complimentary rebooking options, and prompt reimbursements for affected customers, emphasizing that no passenger should be left overnight at an airport or forced to wait hours for customer support.