Delta Air Lines has canceled hundreds of flights as it struggles to recover from a significant software outage that affected global operations. The Atlanta-based airline canceled 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600 on Sunday, following the cancellation of over 3,500 Delta and Delta Connection flights between Friday and Saturday.
As of Monday morning, Delta reported 626 canceled flights and 144 delays, amounting to about 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines had only canceled 38 flights and delayed 155, representing about 5% of its planned flights.
The disruptions were caused by a flawed software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems. This left corporate users, including Delta, struggling with access issues, including instances of the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The outage impacted various sectors, including healthcare, retail, and finance, with airlines and airports experiencing some of the most severe effects. On Friday, more than 46,000 flights were delayed, and over 5,000 were canceled, with Delta facing the greatest challenges.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the situation, saying, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He apologized to travelers affected by the disruptions and emphasized Delta’s commitment to connecting the world.
To assist passengers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver that allows for free flight changes, in addition to offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg noted on social media that his department received numerous complaints about Delta’s handling of the situation, stressing the importance of refunds, free rebooking, and timely reimbursements for affected customers. Buttigieg added that no one should have to spend the night stranded at an airport or face long wait times for customer service.