Delta Air Lines faced significant disruptions on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as the airline struggled to recover from a global software outage that had affected operations for three days.
On Sunday alone, Delta canceled 1,300 flights and delayed another 1,600, as reported by FlightAware. Prior to this, the airline had canceled over 3,500 flights between Friday and Saturday. By Monday morning, around 8 a.m. ET, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, which accounted for nearly 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines reported only 38 cancellations and 155 delays, representing about 5% of its planned flights.
The situation arose from a problematic software update carried out by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday night. A flaw in the update impacted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, disrupting access for corporate users and causing issues such as the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
Various industries, including healthcare, shipping, retail, and finance, were affected, but airlines and airports experienced the most significant impact. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and 5,171 were canceled, with Delta facing the brunt of the issues.
Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian expressed his apologies in a statement, acknowledging the frustration travelers faced. He stated, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. Delta is in the business of connecting the world, and we understand how difficult it can be when your travels are disrupted.”
Bastian added that a considerable number of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including a crew tracking tool that was unable to function due to the outage. To assist affected customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver policy, allowing free flight changes and providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation services.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg reported on social media that his department received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s management of the disruptions. He insisted that Delta must provide refunds, offer free rebooking, and ensure timely reimbursements for expenses related to food and lodging for those impacted. Buttigieg emphasized that travelers should not be left stranded at airports overnight or forced to endure lengthy waits on hold for customer service.