Delta Air Lines faced significant disruption on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as it continued to recover from a global software outage that affected operations for three days. The airline canceled 1,300 flights and delayed an additional 1,600 on Sunday, with more than 3,500 flights canceled over Friday and Saturday.
By 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, accounting for about 20% of its planned operations for the day. In contrast, American Airlines reported far fewer cancellations, with only 38 flights canceled and 155 delayed, representing around 5% of its operations.
The issues for Delta stemmed from a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which was implemented late Thursday. This defect affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, disrupting access for corporate users and causing widespread technical problems, including the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The outage had a ripple effect across various sectors, impacting healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions, but the airline industry bore the brunt of the consequences. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and more than 5,171 were canceled, with Delta being the most severely affected.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret in a statement on Sunday, emphasizing that canceling flights is a last resort and apologizing to travelers inconvenienced by the disruptions. He noted that many of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, which contributed to complications, including failures in crew tracking systems that prevented necessary adjustments.
To aid impacted travelers, Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights for free and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg took to social media on Sunday, revealing that his department received numerous complaints about Delta’s response to the situation. He insisted that the airline must ensure refunds, free rebooking options, and timely reimbursement for expenses such as food and accommodations for affected passengers, stating that no one should have to endure long waits or be stranded overnight at airports.