Delta Air Lines has initiated legal proceedings against cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, attributing a widespread system outage this summer to the company’s alleged oversight. The malfunction, reportedly triggered by an improperly tested software update, disrupted Delta’s operations during peak travel season, resulting in approximately 7,000 flight cancellations and extensive delays. Delta claims the incident led to over $500 million in revenue losses and additional operational costs, according to court documents filed in Georgia.
This legal confrontation marks an intensifying blame game between the two firms. Delta asserts that CrowdStrike neglected essential testing protocols in its update, which led to systemwide failures affecting not only the airline but other major entities reliant on Microsoft systems. Delta’s suit seeks both compensation and punitive damages, arguing that the breakdown’s scope and prolonged recovery were worsened by the cybersecurity firm’s alleged negligence.
The outage also prompted federal scrutiny, with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) now examining Delta’s handling of the crisis. As thousands of passengers were affected, the DOT is investigating reports of Delta’s prolonged recovery times compared to other carriers and complaints from stranded passengers. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has indicated the inquiry will consider Delta’s customer service response, as reports surfaced about stranded minors and overwhelmed support lines.
