Delta Air Lines faced significant operational challenges on Monday, having canceled hundreds of flights as it struggled to recover from a global software outage that disrupted travel three days prior.
The Atlanta-based airline canceled 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600 on Sunday alone, with a cumulative cancellation of over 3,500 Delta and Delta Connection flights between Friday and Saturday, according to FlightAware data. By Monday morning, about 8 a.m. ET, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, representing roughly 20% of its planned operations. In contrast, American Airlines reported only 38 cancellations and 155 delays, which amounted to about 5% of its operations.
The airline’s troubles originated from a problematic software update carried out by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday. This update introduced a defect that affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, disrupting access for corporate users and, in some instances, resulting in the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The effects were felt across numerous sectors, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, but the airline industry suffered particularly. On Friday, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and 5,171 were canceled, with Delta experiencing the worst of the impact.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian issued an apology on Sunday, emphasizing that the decision to cancel flights is always a last resort. He acknowledged the difficulty experienced by travelers and reiterated Delta’s commitment to connecting the world. Bastian noted that a significant number of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including a crucial tool for crew tracking that was unable to operate due to the system’s shutdown. In response, Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights without charge and has also provided meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg addressed the situation on social media, stating that his department received hundreds of complaints regarding Delta’s response to the disruptions. He stressed that Delta must ensure affected customers receive refunds, free rebooking options, and prompt reimbursements for meals and hotels. Buttigieg further remarked that no one should be left stranded overnight in an airport or forced to endure long wait times for customer service assistance.