Delta Air Lines faced significant disruptions on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights following a global software outage that had previously grounded and delayed flights for three days.
The Atlanta-based airline scrapped 1,300 flights on Sunday and delayed another 1,600, as reported by FlightAware. From Friday to Saturday, Delta had already canceled over 3,500 flights in total, including those operated by its Delta Connection service.
By 8 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday, Delta reported 626 flight cancellations and 144 delays, which accounted for roughly 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines only canceled 38 flights and delayed 155, representing about 5% of its planned flights.
The root of Delta’s troubles was a flawed software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which occurred late Thursday night. This bug affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, disrupting access for corporate users and leading some to encounter the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The ripple effects of the incident extended across various industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. Airlines experienced significant impacts, with more than 46,000 flights delayed and over 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, as per FlightAware’s data, making Delta one of the most affected carriers.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, issued an apology for the upheaval, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. Delta is in the business of connecting the world, and we understand how difficult it can be when your travels are disrupted.”
Bastian highlighted that many of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including tools for tracking crew members, which were unable to adapt due to the system outage. Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing customers to change flights without penalty, alongside offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg indicated via social media that his department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s management of the situation. He demanded that Delta offer refunds, free rebooking, and prompt reimbursements for affected customers’ expenses related to food and lodging. “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.