Delta Air Lines canceled hundreds of flights on Monday as the airline continued to face challenges from a global software outage that caused widespread disruptions to travel in recent days. The Atlanta-based airline had already canceled approximately 1,300 flights and delayed around 1,600 on Sunday, according to data from FlightAware. Over the course of Friday and Saturday, Delta and Delta Connection had more than 3,500 flights canceled.
By 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta reported the cancellation of 626 flights and delays for 144, which accounted for nearly 20% of the airline’s planned operations for the day. In contrast, American Airlines canceled only 38 flights and delayed 155, about 5% of its scheduled flights.
The troubles for Delta stem from a faulty software update executed by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday night. This update led to issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access their systems and, in some instances, experiencing the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The repercussions of the incident extended across various industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and financial institutions, but airlines and airports suffered the most. On one day alone, Friday, over 46,000 flights were delayed and an additional 5,171 were canceled, with Delta being the most significantly affected carrier.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the situation, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He apologized to customers impacted by the disruptions and emphasized the airline’s mission to connect the world, acknowledging the difficulties caused by travel interruptions.
Bastian noted that a considerable number of Delta’s applications utilize Microsoft Windows, including tools for tracking crew schedules that were unable to function due to the shutdown. To assist affected customers, Delta has provided a travel waiver allowing free changes to flight bookings, as well as offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.
On social media, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg mentioned that his department received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s management of the disruptions. He stressed that Delta is obligated to offer refunds, enable free rebooking, and ensure timely reimbursements for food and hotel expenses for those affected. Buttigieg added, “No one should be stranded at an airport overnight or stuck on hold for hours waiting to talk to a customer service agent.”