Delta Air Lines canceled hundreds of flights on Monday as the airline continues to recover from a global software outage that caused widespread delays and cancellations over the weekend.
On Sunday alone, Delta canceled 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600, according to FlightAware. The situation escalated from the previous days when the airline scrapped over 3,500 Delta and Delta Connection flights from Friday to Saturday.
By 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, making up about 20% of its scheduled flights. In contrast, American Airlines reported 38 cancellations and 155 delays, roughly 5% of its planned operations.
The disruptions are linked to a faulty software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike that occurred late Thursday. This update adversely affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving corporate users with restricted access, leading to some experiencing the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
Though multiple industries felt the impact, the airline sector suffered significantly; on Friday, over 46,000 flights were delayed and 5,171 were canceled, with Delta experiencing the most severe disruptions.
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. 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 a significant number of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including tools critical for crew tracking, which were hindered by the system failures. The airline has since provided a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights without charge, along with meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg commented on the situation via social media, highlighting that his department received numerous complaints about Delta’s management of the crisis. He stated that Delta must ensure refunds, free rebooking, and prompt reimbursements for food and accommodations 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 emphasized.