Delta Air Lines canceled hundreds of flights on Monday as the airline continued to face challenges recovering from a global software outage that caused widespread disruptions over the weekend.
The Atlanta-based airline reported the cancellation of 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600 on Sunday, as per data from FlightAware. Over the course of Friday and Saturday, Delta had canceled more than 3,500 flights, including those of Delta Connection.
By Monday morning, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, representing approximately 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines reported only 38 canceled flights and 155 delays, equating to about 5% of its planned flights.
The root of Delta’s problems lies in a software update mishap by cybersecurity company CrowdStrike that occurred late on Thursday. This glitch in the update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating system, disrupting access for many corporate users and leading to instances of the “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly every major industry, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, but the airline sector faced some of the worst repercussions. On Friday alone, there were over 46,000 flight delays and more than 5,000 cancellations, according to FlightAware, with Delta experiencing the most significant impact.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the situation, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to every one of you who have been impacted by these events.” He emphasized Delta’s commitment to connecting the world and acknowledged the difficulty caused by travel disruptions.
Bastian also noted that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for various applications, including a crucial crew tracking tool, which was crippled by the system issues. In response to the disruptions, Delta has implemented a travel waiver that allows customers to change their flights at no cost, as well as offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that his department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s management of the situation. He emphasized the need for Delta to ensure refunds, free rebooking, and prompt reimbursements for affected customers’ food and lodging expenses.
Buttigieg added, “No one should be stranded at an airport overnight or stuck on hold for hours waiting to talk to a customer service agent.”