Delta Air Lines faced significant disruptions on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as it continues to recover from a global software outage that caused widespread travel delays. The Atlanta-based airline canceled approximately 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600 on Sunday alone, as reported by FlightAware. Previously, more than 3,500 Delta and Delta Connection flights were canceled from Friday to Saturday.
By early Monday morning, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, accounting for around 20% of its planned operations. In contrast, American Airlines only canceled 38 flights and delayed 155, representing about 5% of its schedule.
The outages stemmed from a malfunctioning software update by cybersecurity company CrowdStrike, which occurred late Thursday. This flawed update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, resulting in access issues for corporate users, some of whom experienced the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The software glitch impacted numerous industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, with airlines and airports experiencing the most significant challenges. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed and 5,171 canceled, with Delta being the most affected carrier.
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 noted that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for various applications, including crucial crew tracking systems, which hindered operations during the outage.
In response to the disruptions, Delta has implemented a travel waiver to allow customers to change their flights at no cost, in addition to providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg reported receiving “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the situation. He stressed that Delta is obligated to offer refunds, facilitate free rebooking, and ensure prompt reimbursements for affected passengers. Buttigieg emphasized that no traveler should endure overnight airport waits or face long delays when seeking assistance.