CrowdStrike outage continues to delay flights

Delta had been struggling for five days on Tuesday due to a technical glitch that took all of its systems offline. Hundreds of flights were canceled or delayed, leaving passengers wondering if and when they would reach their destination.

As of 7 a.m., the airline had canceled 400 flights across its global network, including 67 at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Another 21 outbound and 26 inbound flights were behind schedule, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.com.

“That’s better than this time yesterday… but still unacceptable,” Thrifty Traveler editor Kyle Potter said in a post on the social media site X. “This hasn’t been a CrowdStrike issue for days. It’s a Delta issue.”

According to reports on social media, lines formed at MSP airport last night, with travelers waiting well past midnight to rebook their flights.

On Friday, a software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike contained a bug that knocked out Microsoft Windows operating systems worldwide, including in hospitals, banks, businesses, government agencies and airlines.

But while other airlines have largely recovered, Delta is still struggling to catch up and restart flights.

According to FlightAware, the Atlanta-based airline canceled more than 3,500 flights through Saturday, up from 1,150 on Monday.

The airline said Monday afternoon that the system it uses to schedule crews and direct planes to the correct airport “is very complex and requires the most time and manual support to synchronize.”

“Delta teams are working tirelessly across the operation to support customers affected by delays and cancellations, as the airline works to get crew and aircraft back on track following the disruption,” the airline said.

“I want to apologize to everyone affected by these events,” the airline’s CEO, Ed Bastian, wrote in an email to passengers. “Delta is in the business of connecting the world, and we understand how difficult it can be when your travels are disrupted. Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we do not take lightly.”

Delta has offered travelers waivers, allowing them to rebook their travel and waive fare differences through Sunday. Travelers who experienced a “significant” delay or cancellation can also request a refund, according to the airline’s cancellation and delayed flight information webpage.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Transportation has launched an investigation into Delta to ensure the airline is following the law and accommodating passengers as widespread disruptions continue.

“All air passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will ensure that right is upheld,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.