Delta Air Lines has canceled hundreds of flights on Monday as it continues to deal with the fallout from a global software outage that occurred three days earlier, affecting travel worldwide. On Sunday alone, Delta canceled 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600, following the cancellation of over 3,500 flights between Friday and Saturday.
By 8 a.m. ET on Monday, the airline had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, representing about 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines canceled just 38 flights and delayed 155, accounting for roughly 5% of its planned flights.
The disruptions were triggered by a faulty software update conducted by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday, which inadvertently affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems. This left numerous corporate clients, including Delta, without system access, causing significant operational issues like the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The disruption impacted multiple sectors, including healthcare, retail, and finance, but airlines faced the most severe effects. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed and 5,171 were canceled, with Delta being the hardest hit.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the cancellations, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He apologized to all passengers affected by the disruptions, emphasizing Delta’s commitment to connecting people globally. The airline has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights at no cost, along with offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg noted on social media that his department received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the situation. He insisted that Delta must offer refunds, free rebooking, and timely reimbursements for food and lodging to impacted customers, stating that no individual should have to spend the night at an airport or endure long waits for customer service.