Delta Air Lines has canceled hundreds of flights on Monday as it continues to face challenges following a global software outage that disrupted travel for three days. The Atlanta-based airline scrapped 1,300 flights and delayed another 1,600 on Sunday, and prior to that, it canceled over 3,500 flights between Friday and Saturday.
By 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta had already canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, which accounted for approximately 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines reported only 38 canceled flights and 155 delays, representing about 5% of its planned operations.
The issues for Delta originated from a flawed software update implemented by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday. A defect in this update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, preventing corporate users from accessing their systems, with some experiencing the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly all major industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, with airlines and airports feeling the most significant effects. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, while more than 5,171 were canceled, with Delta being the most affected airline.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the cancellations, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He apologized to those affected and emphasized Delta’s commitment to connecting the world while acknowledging the difficulties created by the disruptions.
Bastian noted that Delta heavily relies on Microsoft Windows applications, including a crucial crew tracking tool which was unable to respond to the disruptions caused by the system failure. To assist affected customers, Delta has announced a travel waiver that allows free flight changes, as well as provisions for meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg mentioned on social media that his department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s management of the situation. He urged Delta to ensure refunds, free rebooking, and timely reimbursements for food and lodging for those impacted.
Buttigieg further stated, “No one should be stranded at an airport overnight or stuck on hold for hours waiting to talk to a customer service agent.”