Delta Air Lines has canceled hundreds of flights on Monday as the airline continues to face challenges following a global software outage that caused widespread disruptions over the weekend.
The Atlanta-based airline canceled around 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600 on Sunday alone, as reported by FlightAware. Additionally, over 3,500 Delta and Delta Connection flights were canceled between Friday and Saturday.
By 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta had already canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, accounting for about 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines had only canceled 38 flights and delayed 155, representing roughly 5% of its planned flights.
The problems began due to a faulty software update executed by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday, which adversely affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving numerous corporate users unable to access their systems and, in some cases, experiencing the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had far-reaching effects across several major industries, including healthcare, logistics, retail, and finance. However, airlines and airports were particularly hard-hit, with over 46,000 flights delayed and more than 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, according to FlightAware, with Delta taking the brunt of the impact.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the cancellations, emphasizing that canceling flights is a last resort. He extended his apologies to all affected customers, acknowledging the challenges of disrupted travel and reassuring that Delta is committed to reconnecting the world.
Bastian noted that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for several applications, including tools for crew tracking that struggled to adapt to the system shutdown. As a remedy, Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing customers to change flights at no cost, as well as offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that his department received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s management of the situation. He highlighted that Delta is obligated to provide refunds, free rebooking options, and timely reimbursements for food and lodging for those affected.
“No one should be stranded at an airport overnight or left waiting for hours to reach a customer service representative,” Buttigieg remarked.