Delta Air Lines has canceled hundreds of flights on Monday as it continues to recover from a global software outage that disrupted travel worldwide for three consecutive days.
The Atlanta-based airline canceled 1,300 flights on Sunday and had 1,600 delayed, according to FlightAware data. Between Friday and Saturday, Delta had already canceled over 3,500 flights, including those operated by Delta Connection.
As of approximately 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta reported 626 flight cancellations and 144 delays, accounting for about 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines canceled only 38 flights and delayed 155, representing roughly 5% of its planned flights.
The root cause of Delta’s operational challenges originated from a faulty software update conducted by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday. This issue affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users without access to critical systems and leading to instances of the “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly every major industry, affecting healthcare providers, delivery companies, retailers, and financial institutions. Airlines and airports experienced significant disruptions, with over 46,000 flights delayed and more than 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, according to FlightAware data, with Delta experiencing the most severe effects.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian emphasized the company’s commitment to customer service, 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 acknowledged the difficulties caused by the disruptions and noted that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows applications for various essential operations, including crew tracking systems.
In response, Delta has offered a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights without charge, in addition to providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg expressed concern over Delta’s management of the disruptions, stating that his department received “hundreds of complaints.” He urged Delta to issue refunds, facilitate free rebooking, and ensure timely reimbursements for expenses related to food and overnight accommodations for affected travelers. Buttigieg stressed that no passenger should face being stranded at an airport overnight or enduring long waits to reach customer service.