Delta Air Lines experienced significant disruptions on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as it continued to recover from a global software outage that had grounded and delayed flights for three days.
On Sunday, the Atlanta-based airline canceled 1,300 flights and saw 1,600 delays, according to FlightAware. Previously, from Friday to Saturday, Delta had canceled over 3,500 flights, including Delta Connection flights.
As of 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta reported 626 cancellations and 144 delays, which accounted for approximately 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines had canceled only 38 flights and delayed 155, representing about 5% of its planned flights.
The disruptions were attributed to a failed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike that occurred late Thursday night. This glitch affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, preventing corporate users from accessing their systems and, in some instances, causing the “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly every major sector, including healthcare providers, delivery services, retail, and financial institutions. Airlines and airports faced the brunt of the fallout, with more than 46,000 flight delays and an additional 5,171 cancellations on Friday alone, according to FlightAware, with Delta experiencing the most significant impact.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the situation in a statement on Sunday, saying, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to everyone who has been affected. Delta is in the business of connecting the world, and we understand how difficult it can be when your travels are disrupted.”
Bastian noted that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows across a “significant number of applications,” including a crew tracking tool that was unable to adjust after the system failure. In response to the disruptions, Delta has implemented a travel waiver, allowing customers to change flights at no cost and providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg commented on social media Sunday, stating that his department had received “hundreds of complaints” about Delta’s management of the situation. He emphasized that Delta must ensure refunds, free rebooking, and timely reimbursements for customers affected by the delays and cancellations, adding, “No one should be stranded at an airport overnight or stuck on hold for hours waiting to talk to a customer service agent.”