Delta Air Lines canceled hundreds of flights on Monday as it continues to grapple with the aftermath of a global software outage that disrupted travel worldwide for three days.
The Atlanta-based airline canceled 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600 on Sunday, according to FlightAware. This followed the cancellation of over 3,500 Delta and Delta Connection flights between Friday and Saturday.
By approximately 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, representing about 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines had only canceled 38 flights and delayed 155, amounting to around 5% of its planned flights.
The problems for Delta originated from a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which took place late Thursday. This glitch affected Microsoft Windows operating systems, causing corporate users to lose access to their systems, with some experiencing the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly every major sector, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. Airlines, particularly Delta, were disproportionately affected; on Friday, over 46,000 flights were delayed and an additional 5,171 canceled, as reported by FlightAware.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian stated, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to everyone who has been impacted by these events.” He emphasized Delta’s commitment to connecting the world and acknowledged the difficulties caused by the disruption.
Bastian noted that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for numerous applications, including a tracking tool for crew management that failed due to the shutdown. To assist affected travelers, Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, along with offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg responded to the situation on social media, indicating that his department had received “hundreds of complaints” about Delta’s response to the disruptions. He asserted that Delta should provide refunds, free rebooking options, and timely reimbursements for food and lodging to impacted customers. Buttigieg further emphasized that “No one should be stranded at an airport overnight or stuck on hold for hours waiting to talk to a customer service agent.”