Delta Air Lines faced significant operational challenges on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as it struggles to recover from a global software outage that affected air travel for several days.
On Sunday alone, the Atlanta-based airline canceled approximately 1,300 flights and delayed another 1,600, as reported by FlightAware. This followed the cancellation of over 3,500 Delta and Delta Connection flights between Friday and Saturday.
By 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, amounting to about 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines only canceled 38 flights and delayed 155, representing around 5% of its planned flights.
The disruptions originated from a problematic software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late on Thursday evening. A flaw in this update interfered with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, preventing corporate users from accessing crucial systems and, in some cases, resulting in the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
Multiple sectors were impacted by this incident, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, with airlines and airports being particularly affected. On Friday, there were reports of over 46,000 delayed flights and more than 5,171 cancellations, with Delta hit the hardest.
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. I want to apologize to every one of you who have been impacted by these events.” He emphasized Delta’s commitment to their core mission of connecting travelers and acknowledged the difficulties caused by such disruptions.
Bastian noted that the airline relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for numerous applications, including a crew tracking tool that was hindered by the software issues. In response, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights without charge, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg addressed the issue on social media, revealing that his department received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the disruptions. He underscored the importance of the airline providing refunds, free rebooking, and prompt reimbursements for expenses incurred by stranded customers. He stated, “No one should be stranded at an airport overnight or stuck on hold for hours waiting to talk to a customer service agent.”