Delta Air Lines faced significant disruptions on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as the airline attempted to recover from a global software outage that impacted its operations over the weekend.
On Sunday alone, Delta canceled approximately 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600, with over 3,500 cancellations recorded between Friday and Saturday. By 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, which accounted for about 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines reported only 38 cancellations and 155 delays, about 5% of its planned flights.
The disruptions originated from a faulty software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which went live late Thursday night. An issue within the update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access essential systems and leading to widespread malfunctions, including the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
Various industries were impacted, with healthcare providers, retailers, delivery companies, and financial institutions all experiencing significant disruptions. Airlines, particularly Delta, were among the hardest hit, with over 46,000 flight delays and more than 5,000 cancellations recorded on Friday alone.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the situation, stating that canceling flights is a last resort and that the airline is committed to connecting passengers with their destinations. He apologized to those affected and highlighted the challenges of the disruptions.
Delta announced it would be providing a travel waiver to allow customers to change their flights without fees, as well as offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.
In response to the complaints regarding the airline’s response to the disruptions, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated that the department received numerous grievances about Delta’s handling of the situation. He emphasized that Delta must ensure affected customers receive refunds, free rebooking options, and prompt reimbursement for expenses incurred due to the cancellations. Buttigieg also noted that no passenger should be left stranded at an airport overnight or have to wait excessively to speak with customer service.