Delta Air Lines faced significant disruptions on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as it struggled to recover from a global software failure that had grounded and delayed flights for three days.
The Atlanta-based airline reported the cancellation of 1,300 flights on Sunday and the delay of 1,600, according to FlightAware data. This followed earlier cancellations of over 3,500 Delta and Delta Connection flights from Friday to Saturday.
On Monday morning, Delta had already canceled 626 flights and delayed an additional 144, accounting for roughly 20% of its operations for the day. In contrast, American Airlines reported only 38 cancellations and 155 delays, approximately 5% of its scheduled flights.
The airline’s troubles were traced back to a problematic software update implemented by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday. This update caused issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving corporate users unable to access their systems, with some even experiencing the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident affected numerous industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, but it hit airlines and airports particularly hard. On Friday, more than 46,000 flights were reported delayed, with over 5,171 cancellations, and Delta was the most affected airline.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian issued an apology, 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 that Delta’s operations rely heavily on Microsoft Windows software, including tools vital for crew tracking, which were rendered inoperative during the shutdown.
In response to the disruption, Delta has provided a travel waiver allowing customers to change flights without fees, alongside meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Additionally, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg noted on social media that his department received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s management of the situation. He stressed the importance of refunds, free rebooking, and timely compensation for expenses incurred by affected customers, stating that no one should have to spend the night stranded at the airport or wait excessively to reach a customer service representative.