Delta Air Lines canceled hundreds of flights on Monday as it continues to recover from a global software outage that caused significant disruptions over the weekend. The airline’s difficulties began following a flawed update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which adversely affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems.
On Sunday alone, Delta canceled approximately 1,300 flights and delayed about 1,600, as reported by FlightAware. This came after more than 3,500 flights were canceled between Friday and Saturday. By Monday morning, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, which accounted for roughly 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines reported only 38 cancellations and 155 delays.
The software issue created chaos across various industries, including healthcare, retail, and finance, with airlines experiencing particularly severe impacts. On Friday, more than 46,000 flights were delayed nationwide, with 5,171 cancellations.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the flight cancellations, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to connectivity and the importance of minimizing disruptions. He acknowledged that the airline relies heavily on Microsoft systems, including tools crucial for crew tracking, which were rendered inoperable due to the outage. To assist affected travelers, Delta has initiated a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, along with meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transport.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg commented on social media that the Department of Transportation had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation. He insisted that affected customers should receive refunds, rebooking options at no charge, and prompt reimbursements for meals and hotel stays. He stressed that no passengers should have to spend the night at an airport or endure long waits to speak with customer service.