Delta Air Lines faced significant disruptions on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as it continues to recover from a global software outage that occurred three days prior. This incident forced the airline to ground and delay operations worldwide.
The Atlanta-based carrier had already canceled around 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600 on Sunday, according to FlightAware. Between Friday and Saturday, Delta and its regional partner Delta Connection canceled more than 3,500 flights.
As of 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta reported 626 cancellations and 144 delays, representing approximately 20% of its scheduled operations for the day. In contrast, American Airlines recorded only 38 cancellations and 155 delays, or about 5% of its planned flights.
The chaos was triggered by a flawed software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday, which affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems and left various corporate users, including Delta, without access and struggling with significant system errors.
The effects were widespread, impacting numerous industries such as healthcare, delivery, retail, and finance, but airlines and airports experienced some of the most severe repercussions. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and 5,171 were canceled, with Delta being the most affected airline.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the cancellations, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He acknowledged the challenges travelers face when their plans are disrupted. Delta implemented a travel waiver, offering customers options to change flights without fees, alongside meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg noted on social media that his department received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the situation. He urged the airline to ensure refunds, rebooking options, and timely reimbursements for affected customers’ food and hotel expenses. Buttigieg emphasized that no one should be left stranded at an airport overnight or have to wait for extended periods to reach customer service.