Delta Air Lines faced significant operational challenges on Monday, having canceled over 600 flights and delayed 144 as it continued to deal with the fallout from a global software failure that had already disrupted its services for three consecutive days.
On Sunday, the Atlanta-based airline canceled 1,300 flights and saw 1,600 delayed, according to FlightAware. This came after Delta had already canceled over 3,500 flights, including those operated by Delta Connection, between Friday and Saturday.
By around 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta had canceled approximately 20% of its scheduled flights, while American Airlines reported only 38 cancellations and 155 delays, accounting for about 5% of its planned operations.
The airline’s troubles were tied to a failed software update conducted by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday. This update disrupted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leading corporate users to experience system inaccessibility and, in some instances, the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The impact of this incident extended beyond Delta, affecting almost every major industry, including healthcare, retail, delivery services, and financial institutions. Airlines faced the brunt of the disruption, with more than 46,000 flights delayed and 5,171 canceled just on Friday alone, according to FlightAware, with Delta being the most significantly impacted.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian apologized to passengers affected by the cancellations, emphasizing that canceling flights is always a last resort. He noted that a substantial number of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, which contributed to a crew tracking tool’s failure to process necessary updates following the system’s shutdown. To assist affected customers, Delta has offered travel waivers allowing free flight changes, along with meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.
In response to the situation, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg announced that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s management of the disruptions. He urged the airline to ensure that affected passengers receive refunds, free rebooking options, and prompt reimbursement for incurred expenses related to food and lodging.
Buttigieg remarked that no one should be left stranded at an airport overnight or waiting excessively on hold for a customer service representative.