Delta Air Lines faced significant disruptions on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as the airline continued to recover from a global software outage that caused major delays and cancellations over the weekend. The Atlanta-based airline reported 1,300 flight cancellations and 1,600 delays on Sunday alone, with more than 3,500 Delta and Delta Connection flights canceled between Friday and Saturday.
As of 8 a.m. ET on Monday, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, accounting for about 20% of its planned operations for the day. In contrast, American Airlines canceled only 38 flights and delayed 155, which is approximately 5% of their planned flights.
The disruption was caused by a flawed software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which impacted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems. This left many corporate users, including Delta, unable to access critical systems, leading to significant operational challenges, including the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident affected numerous sectors, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, but airlines, particularly Delta, were among the hardest hit. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights experienced delays, while more than 5,171 flights were canceled, further exacerbating travel disruptions.
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.” He apologized to customers affected by the incident, emphasizing Delta’s commitment to connecting the world and acknowledging the difficulties caused by travel disruptions.
Bastian noted that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows applications, including a crew tracking tool that was unable to adapt to the system shutdown. To assist affected passengers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free changes to flights, as well as offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
In response to the situation, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg announced on social media that his department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s management of the disruptions. He underscored the necessity for Delta to provide refunds, free rebooking options, and prompt reimbursements for food and hotel expenses incurred by affected travelers. Buttigieg emphasized that no traveler should be left stranded at an airport overnight or forced to endure lengthy waits to reach customer service.