Delta Air Lines faced significant operational challenges on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as it struggled to recover from a global software outage that had disrupted air travel for three consecutive days.
The Atlanta-based airline scrapped approximately 1,300 flights and delayed another 1,600 on Sunday, according to FlightAware data. Overall, Delta had canceled more than 3,500 flights, including those of its regional subsidiary Delta Connection, between Friday and Saturday.
As of 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta reported the cancellation of 626 flights and delays for 144 others, impacting about 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines only canceled 38 flights and delayed 155, which is about 5% of its operations.
The root of Delta’s difficulties originated from a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, implemented late Thursday. This defect adversely affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, causing corporate users significant issues, including the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident affected nearly every major sector, with airlines and airports particularly hard hit. On Friday alone, more than 46,000 flights were delayed, and 5,171 were canceled, as reported by FlightAware, with Delta bearing the brunt of the disruptions.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret in a statement on Sunday, saying, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He acknowledged the inconvenience faced by travelers and stated that Delta is committed to connecting people worldwide.
Bastian noted that many of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including a tool vital for crew tracking, which was unable to function due to the system failure. In response, Delta has offered a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights without fees, along with meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
On social media, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg mentioned that his department received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s management of the situation. He emphasized the necessity for Delta to provide refunds, free rebooking, and prompt reimbursements for food and lodging to affected passengers. Buttigieg asserted, “No one should be stranded at an airport overnight or stuck on hold for hours waiting to talk to a customer service agent.”