Delta Air Lines experienced significant disruptions on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as it continued to recover from a global software outage that impacted travel worldwide over the weekend.
On Sunday alone, Delta canceled 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600, as reported by FlightAware. The airline had previously grounded over 3,500 Delta and Delta Connection flights between Friday and Saturday. By Monday morning, approximately 626 flights were canceled and 144 flights were delayed, which accounted for around 20% of Delta’s planned operations for the day. In comparison, American Airlines only canceled 38 flights and delayed 155, representing about 5% of its scheduled flights.
The troubles at Delta stemmed from a flawed software update conducted by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday night. This update malfunctioned, affecting Microsoft Windows operating systems and leaving many corporate users without access to essential systems, with some facing the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The ripple effects of this incident were felt across various sectors including healthcare, deliveries, retail, and finance, but the airline industry suffered the most severe consequences. On Friday alone, more than 46,000 flights were delayed and over 5,171 were canceled, with Delta being the most affected airline.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret regarding the situation, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to everyone impacted by these events.” He emphasized Delta’s commitment to connecting the world and acknowledged the challenges faced by travelers during such disruptions.
Bastian noted that a significant number of applications utilized by Delta, including tools for crew tracking, relied on Microsoft Windows, which were unable to function due to the system breakdown. To assist affected customers, Delta has issued a travel waiver allowing complimentary flight changes, along with meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg shared on social media that his department received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the disruptions. He emphasized that Delta is required to provide refunds, facilitate free rebooking, and offer timely reimbursements for food and hotel costs for those impacted.
“Buttigieg also stressed that no travelers should be left stranded at an airport overnight or endure long wait times on hold for customer service assistance,” he added.