Delta Air Lines experienced significant disruptions on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as the airline continued to recover from a global software outage that affected operations over the weekend.
On Sunday alone, Delta canceled approximately 1,300 flights and delayed around 1,600, according to FlightAware. This followed more than 3,500 cancellations of Delta and Delta Connection flights between Friday and Saturday. By 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta reported it had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, which accounted for about 20% of its scheduled flights for that day. In contrast, American Airlines experienced relatively fewer disruptions, canceling only 38 flights and delaying 155.
The turmoil stemmed from a flawed software update implemented by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday. This defect impacted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, resulting in significant access issues for corporate users, with some facing the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The effects of the incident were widespread, impacting various sectors, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. Airlines suffered particularly severe consequences, with over 46,000 flights delayed across the industry on Friday and more than 5,000 cancellations, with Delta facing the brunt of the fallout.
Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the situation, stating that canceling flights is not taken lightly and apologizing to those affected. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the software issues, particularly as many of Delta’s critical applications rely on Microsoft Windows. The airline is offering a travel waiver allowing customers to change flights without fees, along with meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
On Sunday, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg addressed the situation on social media, stating that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the disruptions. He emphasized the need for Delta to offer refunds, free rebooking, and prompt reimbursements for expenses incurred by affected customers, asserting that no traveler should be left stranded overnight at airports or endure long wait times to reach customer service.