Delta Air Lines canceled hundreds of flights on Monday as the airline continues to deal with the fallout from a global software outage that grounded and delayed flights worldwide three days prior.
The Atlanta-based airline canceled 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600 on Sunday, according to FlightAware. From Friday to Saturday, Delta had already canceled more than 3,500 flights, including those of its regional partner, Delta Connection.
By approximately 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta had scrapped 626 flights and delayed another 144, which amounts to around 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines canceled only 38 flights and delayed 155, approximately 5% of its planned flights.
The root of Delta’s troubles lies in a flawed software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike that occurred late Thursday. This defect in the update adversely affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving corporate clients unable to access their systems and, in some cases, facing the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly every major industry, notably healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, but it provoked significant disruptions in airline operations. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights experienced delays, while an additional 5,171 were canceled, with Delta being the hardest hit.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to everyone affected by these events. Delta is in the business of connecting the world, and we understand how distressing it is when travels are disrupted.”
Bastian pointed out that Delta relies on numerous applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including a tool for tracking crew availability, which failed to manage the changes caused by the system shutdown. In response, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing passengers to change their flights without penalties, along with providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation services.
On Sunday, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg noted on social media that his department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to these disruptions. He emphasized that Delta must offer refunds, free rebooking, and prompt reimbursements for food and hotel expenses incurred by affected travelers.
“No one should be stranded at an airport overnight or stuck on hold for hours waiting to speak to a customer service agent,” Buttigieg added.