Delta Air Lines faced significant operational challenges on Monday after canceling hundreds of flights as it struggled to recover from a global software outage that occurred three days earlier. The Atlanta-based airline had canceled 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600 on Sunday alone, with previous cancellations exceeding 3,500 flights between Delta and Delta Connection over the weekend.
By Monday morning, Delta had already canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, representing about 20% of its scheduled operations. In comparison, American Airlines managed to cancel only 38 flights and delay 155, amounting to roughly 5% of its planned flights.
The airline’s difficulties originated from a failed software update implemented by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday, which caused issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems. This left many corporate users unable to access their systems, resulting in widespread disruptions across various industries, particularly in airlines and airports. On Friday, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and more than 5,000 were canceled, with Delta experiencing the most significant impact.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian acknowledged the situation in a statement, emphasizing that canceling flights is a last resort. He expressed regret to those affected by the disruptions, reaffirming Delta’s commitment to connecting travelers worldwide. Bastian noted that Delta relies on numerous applications using Microsoft Windows, including a crew tracking tool that was incapacitated due to the outage. As a response, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights for free and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
In a statement on social media, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg highlighted that his department received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the disruptions. He urged Delta to ensure that affected customers receive refunds, free rebooking options, and timely reimbursements for meals and hotel stays. Buttigieg emphasized that no one should be left stranded at airports overnight or stuck on hold for extended periods seeking assistance from customer service.