Delta Air Lines canceled numerous flights on Monday as it continued to recover from a widespread software outage that disrupted operations globally.
The Atlanta-based airline canceled 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600 on Sunday alone, according to FlightAware. Over the course of Friday and Saturday, Delta had already scrapped more than 3,500 flights, including those operated by Delta Connection.
As of 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, which accounted for about 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines reported only 38 cancellations and 155 delays, representing about 5% of its planned flights.
The airline’s operational difficulties were linked to a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike that occurred late Thursday. This defect affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access their systems and, in some cases, experiencing critical failures known as the “Blue Screen of Death.”
The impact of the incident was felt across various sectors, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. Airlines and airports experienced the worst effects, with over 46,000 flights delayed and more than 5,171 cancellations on Friday alone, according to FlightAware. Delta was particularly hard-hit.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the cancellations in a statement, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to customer service. He acknowledged the difficulty of travel disruptions and stated, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” Delta has issued a travel waiver for affected customers, allowing for free flight changes, along with providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.
Following the disruptions, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg announced on social media that his department received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response. He emphasized that the airline is obligated to offer refunds, free rebooking, and timely compensation for food and lodging to those affected, stating, “No one should be stranded at an airport overnight or stuck on hold for hours waiting to talk to a customer service agent.”