Delta’s computer outage: More canceled flights, $200 vouchers, waiver for change fees extended

Delta Air Lines passengers are still facing delays and flight cancellations Wednesday after the airline’s massive computer outage earlier in the week. The airline canceled 255 flights as of Wednesday morning as it struggled to get back to normal operations.

On Tuesday, Delta canceled more than 600 flights, offered stranded fliers $200 vouchers and extended the date by which passengers could change their tickets without paying a fee.

In a statement on Delta News Hub, the airline says its computer systems to process check-ins, etc., are working but “the bulk of delays and cancellations coming as a result of flight crews displaced or running up against their maximum allowed duty period following the outage.”

What can Delta passengers expect? Keep close tabs on your flight and stay in touch with the airline to find out about any delays or cancellations.

And here’s what the airline is doing for affected travelers:

--If your flight was canceled or “significantly delayed” Monday and Tuesday, you are entitled to a refund.

--Those who want to rebook now have until Aug. 21 to make a one-time change without incurring change fees. (The airline originally said passengers had to rebook by Friday to avoid fees.)

--And fliers on Monday and Tuesday who experienced a three-hour or more delay or a flight cancellation will also receive $200 vouchers for future travel.

Flights were canceled Tuesday “to reset the operation and get crews, aircraft and other operational elements in place to take care of customers,” according to a statement on Delta’s website.

Monday’s computer meltdown lasted about six hours and forced Delta to suspend all flights. The outage affected check-in kiosks, bag drops, the airline’s smartphone app and flight status information — leaving passengers in the dark.

Delta initially blamed the system-wide computer meltdown on a power outage in Atlanta, but the Georgia Power Co. has disputed that in media reports. The airline says it’s still investigating what went wrong.

Delta isn’t the only airline to experience computer failure. Southwest Airlines last month was forced to cancel more than 600 flights when its computer system malfunctioned.

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