Delta Air Lines canceled hundreds of flights on Monday as the airline continues to face challenges in recovering from a global software outage that disrupted travel worldwide for three consecutive days.
The Atlanta-based airline canceled 1,300 flights and delayed 1,600 on Sunday, as reported by FlightAware. Prior to that, Delta had already canceled over 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday combined.
As of approximately 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, representing about 20% of its planned operations for the day. In contrast, American Airlines reported only 38 cancellations and 155 delays, constituting about 5% of its scheduled flights.
The disruptions were triggered by a faulty software update implemented by cybersecurity company CrowdStrike late Thursday night. This glitch affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users without access, and some even faced the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The fallout from the incident rippled through nearly every major industry, impacting healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions, with airlines and airports experiencing the most severe effects. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed and an additional 5,171 canceled, according to FlightAware, with Delta being the most significantly affected.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to everyone 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 noted that Delta relies on numerous applications that use Microsoft Windows, including a crucial crew tracking tool which was unable to function due to the system failure. To assist affected customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation support.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg addressed the situation on social media, indicating his department received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the disruptions. Buttigieg emphasized that Delta must ensure refunds, free rebooking, and prompt reimbursements for food and lodging to those impacted.
“No one should be stranded at an airport overnight or stuck on hold for hours waiting to talk to a customer service agent,” Buttigieg added.