Delta Air Lines has canceled hundreds of flights as it continues to face challenges following a global software outage that grounded and delayed travel across the world. On Sunday, the Atlanta-based airline canceled approximately 1,300 flights and delayed around 1,600, according to FlightAware. This came after more than 3,500 Delta and Delta Connection flights were canceled between Friday and Saturday.
As of 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, representing about 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines reported only 38 cancellations and 155 delays, which is roughly 5% of its planned flights.
The disruptions are linked to a failed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which occurred late Thursday. This malfunction affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving corporate users without access to their systems and causing issues like the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
Various sectors were impacted by the incident, including healthcare, logistics, retail, and finance. However, the airline industry faced particularly severe effects, with over 46,000 flights delayed and more than 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, with Delta being the most affected.
Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian issued an apology to passengers affected by the events and emphasized that canceling flights is a last resort. He acknowledged the company’s reliance on Microsoft Windows for many applications, including a crew tracking tool that was rendered inoperable due to the system failure. Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights for free, alongside offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg noted on social media that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation. He asserted that Delta should provide refunds, complimentary rebooking, and prompt reimbursement for food and hotel expenses for those affected.
“No one should be stranded at an airport overnight or stuck on hold for hours waiting to talk to a customer service agent,” Buttigieg stated.