Delta Air Lines has canceled hundreds of flights as it continues to deal with the fallout from a global software outage that affected flights worldwide. On Sunday alone, the airline canceled 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600, with a cumulative total of more than 3,500 flights canceled between Friday and Saturday.
As of Monday morning, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, making up about 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines only canceled 38 flights and delayed 155, approximately 5% of its flights.
The disruptions were caused by a flawed software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems. This left many corporate users without access to their systems, resulting in significant operational challenges across various industries, particularly airlines and airports. On Friday, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and more than 5,000 were canceled, with Delta being significantly impacted.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed his regret over the situation, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He issued an apology to all those affected and emphasized the company’s commitment to connecting travelers globally.
Bastian explained that many of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including essential tools for tracking crew members, which were disrupted due to the system failures. In response, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change flights free of charge, along with providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg reported receiving “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s handling of the situation. He stated that the airline must ensure refunds, offer free rebooking, and provide prompt reimbursements for meals and hotel stays to those impacted. Buttigieg added that no one should be left stranded at an airport overnight or forced to wait hours to reach customer service.