Delta Air Lines canceled hundreds of flights on Monday as the airline continues to recover from a global software outage that caused widespread disruptions three days earlier.
According to FlightAware, Delta canceled 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600 on Sunday. Between Friday and Saturday, the airline had previously canceled over 3,500 flights, including those operated by Delta Connection.
By about 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, which represents roughly 20% of its scheduled operations. In comparison, American Airlines reported only 38 canceled flights and 155 delays, equating to about 5% of its planned flights.
The root of Delta’s difficulties lies in a faulty software update issued by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday night. A flaw in the update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, preventing corporate users from accessing their systems and in some cases causing the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had repercussions across multiple industries, affecting healthcare, delivery services, retail, and financial sectors. However, airlines and airports were particularly hard-hit, with over 46,000 flights delayed and 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, according to FlightAware, with Delta experiencing the most significant impact.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the cancellations, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to every one of you who have been impacted by these events. Delta is in the business of connecting the world, and we understand how difficult it can be when your travels are disrupted.”
Bastian highlighted that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for various applications, including a tool for crew tracking that was unable to manage adjustments due to the system’s failure. As part of their response, Delta has issued a travel waiver, allowing customers to change their flights at no cost, along with meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation services.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg noted on social media that his department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s handling of the situation. He emphasized that Delta must ensure customer refunds, free rebooking, and prompt reimbursements for food and lodging for those affected.
“No one should be stranded at an airport overnight or stuck on hold for hours waiting to talk to a customer service agent,” Buttigieg remarked.