The Department of Transportation is looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure that the airline is treating consumers fairly amidst ongoing flight cancellations following a global technology outage last week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment, and he is committed to upholding that right. He noted that his department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the tech disruptions.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has struggled to fully restore operations several days after a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike caused widespread issues globally. This update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access their systems, with some encountering the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly every major industry, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, with airlines and airports experiencing severe disruptions. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and 5,171 were canceled, according to FlightAware, with Delta being particularly hard hit.
Delta canceled around 3,500 flights across its network on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday and Monday, the airline canceled more than 2,500 flights and reported another 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, there have already been 738 additional cancellations and delays.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the inconvenience caused, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He emphasized the airline’s mission to connect the world and acknowledged the challenges faced by travelers during these disruptions.
Bastian also mentioned that Delta relies on a “significant number of applications” that utilize Microsoft Windows, including a tool for tracking crew members that was unable to adjust due to the system outage. To assist affected travelers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes and is offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.