Delta Air Lines faced significant disruptions on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as it struggles to recover from a global software outage that grounded and delayed flights over the weekend.
The Atlanta-based airline canceled 1,300 flights on Sunday and delayed another 1,600, according to FlightAware. The outage, caused by a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday, had already forced Delta to cancel over 3,500 flights between Friday and Saturday.
By 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, accounting for about 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines experienced far fewer disruptions, canceling just 38 flights and delaying 155, which is about 5% of its planned flights.
The software issue affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access critical systems and causing complications such as the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.” A multitude of industries was impacted, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, but airlines and airports were hit particularly hard. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed and 5,171 were canceled, with Delta bearing the brunt of the chaos.
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 that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for numerous applications, including systems for crew tracking.
To assist affected travelers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights without penalty, in addition to providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg acknowledged the situation on social media, noting that his department received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s management of the disruptions. He stated that Delta is required to offer refunds, free rebooking, and appropriate reimbursements for food and lodging to those affected. Buttigieg further added, “No one should be stranded at an airport overnight or stuck on hold for hours waiting to talk to a customer service agent.”