Delta Air Lines has canceled hundreds of flights on Monday as it attempts to recover from a global software outage that occurred three days prior, causing widespread trip delays and cancellations.
The Atlanta-based airline canceled 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600 on Sunday alone, with over 3,500 flights canceled between Friday and Saturday. By 8 a.m. ET on Monday, 626 flights were canceled and 144 delayed, accounting for about 20% of Delta’s scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines reported the cancellation of only 38 flights and 155 delays, representing approximately 5% of its planned operations.
The troubles for Delta originated from a faulty software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday, which adversely affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems. This issue left many corporate users without access to their systems and led to a prevalent “Blue Screen of Death.”
Numerous industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, were impacted by the outage, but the aviation sector experienced some of the most severe consequences. On one day alone, more than 46,000 flights were delayed and over 5,171 canceled, with Delta suffering the brunt of the disruptions.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the cancellations, stating it is a last resort and not taken lightly. He issued an apology to those affected, emphasizing Delta’s commitment to connecting the world and acknowledging the frustration caused by travel disruptions.
Bastian noted that Delta relies on a substantial number of Microsoft Windows applications, including essential tools for crew tracking that were unable to function due to the software failure. To assist impacted customers, Delta implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, alongside providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg shared on social media that his department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s management of the situation. He emphasized that the airline must ensure refunds, free rebooking, and prompt reimbursements for food and hotel expenses for affected passengers.
He further added that no traveler should have to spend a night stranded at an airport or endure long waits on hold when trying to reach customer support.