Delta Air Lines canceled hundreds of flights on Monday as it continued to deal with the fallout from a global software outage that disrupted operations over the weekend. The airline canceled 1,300 flights and delayed another 1,600 on Sunday alone, according to FlightAware, adding to the more than 3,500 Delta and Delta Connection flights that were canceled between Friday and Saturday.
As of around 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, amounting to about 20% of its planned operations for the day. In contrast, American Airlines only canceled 38 flights and delayed 155, which was about 5% of its planned schedule.
The complications for Delta arose from a problematic software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday. A defect in this update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, preventing corporate users from accessing essential systems, and in some cases, causing the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident caused wide-ranging disruptions across numerous industries, impacting healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, with airlines and airports suffering the most. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed and 5,171 were canceled, with Delta experiencing the most severe effects.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the situation in a statement Sunday, emphasizing that canceling flights is a last resort. He apologized to those impacted, stating, “Delta is in the business of connecting the world, and we understand how difficult it can be when your travels are disrupted.”
Bastian noted that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for several applications, including crew tracking tools that were unable to function due to the system outage. To assist customers, Delta has issued travel waivers to allow free flight changes and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg revealed on social media that his department received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the disruptions. He stated that the airline is obligated to provide refunds, facilitate free rebooking, and ensure timely reimbursement for expenses related to food and hotel stays for affected travelers. He reiterated that individuals should not be left stranded at airports or stuck on hold trying to reach customer service.