Delta Struggles to Recover Days After Global Tech Outage Grounds Flights
Hundreds of US flights face cancellation as Delta Air Lines lags behind other carriers in recovering from the CrowdStrike-induced tech outage. The Transportation Secretary expresses frustration as thousands of stranded passengers remain stuck at airports.
Hundreds of US flights face cancellation as Delta Air Lines struggles to recover four days after a global tech outage triggers massive travel disruptions. Delta accounts for the vast majority of the canceled flights, with over 4,400 cancellations since Friday and more than 950 by Monday evening alone. Overall, over 1,000 US flights are canceled and over 9,000 are delayed on Monday, according to flight tracking data.
US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expresses frustration with the slow pace of Delta's recovery, while Delta CEO Ed Bastian apologizes to affected travelers. Bastian tells employees that the company works around the clock to restore normal operations. To make amends, the airline offers SkyMiles, vouchers, and the right to request a refund, and promises to cover hotel, meal, and ground transportation costs for impacted customers.
Despite these promises, many travelers remain stranded in airports with no clear way home. For example, three travelers returning from Greece to Arizona are stuck at the Atlanta airport with a stack of canceled tickets and no access to their luggage. One stranded passenger notes that being unable to retrieve her suitcase means she cannot use her laptop, which directly leads to lost commissions and income.