Delta Air Lines has canceled hundreds of flights as it attempts to recover from a global software outage that disrupted travel over the weekend. The issue began with a flawed software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike, which affected Microsoft Windows systems and caused significant delays and cancellations across various industries.
On Sunday, Delta canceled approximately 1,300 flights and experienced 1,600 delays, following earlier cancellations of over 3,500 flights from Friday to Saturday. On Monday morning, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed another 144, impacting around 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines only canceled 38 flights and delayed 155, about 5% of its planned operations.
The software malfunction resulted in various airlines and airports facing significant challenges, with over 46,000 flights delayed and 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, according to FlightAware. Delta felt the brunt of this disruption.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the cancellations, stating that they are always a last resort and emphasized the airline’s commitment to connecting travelers. He noted that many of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including a crucial crew tracking tool hampered by the software issues. To assist affected customers, Delta is offering travel waivers, meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.
In response to the situation, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg mentioned on social media that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the disruptions. He urged Delta to ensure refunds, allow free rebooking, and provide timely reimbursements for food and lodging to those impacted. Buttigieg stressed that passengers should not be left stranded at airports or waiting excessively to reach customer service.