Delta Air Lines faced significant operational challenges on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as the airline continued to recover from a global software outage that caused widespread disruptions over the weekend.
The Atlanta-based airline reported the cancellation of 1,300 flights on Sunday and delays for 1,600 more, following the cancellation of over 3,500 flights between Friday and Saturday. By Monday morning, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, which accounts for approximately 20% of its scheduled operations. In contrast, American Airlines reported only 38 cancellations and 155 delays, comprising about 5% of its planned flights.
The problems for Delta were attributed to a faulty software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which took place late Thursday. This defective update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, disrupting access for corporate users and causing several systems to encounter critical errors, commonly known as the “Blue Screen of Death.”
The consequences of the outage were felt across various sectors, impacting healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions. Airlines, especially Delta, were disproportionately affected, with over 46,000 flights delayed and more than 5,171 canceled on Friday alone.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to travelers, stating that canceling flights is always a last resort. He emphasized the importance of Delta’s mission to connect people and acknowledged the frustration caused by these disruptions.
Bastian noted the reliance of Delta on numerous applications that operate on Microsoft Windows, which included a crucial crew tracking tool that struggled to adjust due to the system failures. To assist affected passengers, Delta has introduced a travel waiver permitting free flight changes, in addition to offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg revealed that the department received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s management of the situation, urging the airline to ensure refunds, free rebooking, and timely reimbursements for meals and hotels for those impacted. He stressed that travelers should not be left stranded at airports or waiting for extended periods to reach customer service.