After July CrowdStrike update and subsequent IT outages that affected devices operated by Microsoft and Delta Airlines softwareScorned travelers have filed a class action lawsuit against the airline.
of suitfiled in the Northern District of Georgia, alleges passengers were denied refunds and other compensation. And she is not the only one legal challenge the airline is facing.
“The impact on Delta passengers was catastrophic,” the lawsuit states. “Delta's failure to recover from the CrowdStrike outage left passengers stranded at airports across the country and the world and, in many cases, thousands of miles from home.”
Related: Delta hires power attorney after CrowdStrike outage and mass cancellations
The lawsuit alleges that, in some cases, Delta would only offer refunds if passengers signed a legal waiver barring them from taking legal action against the airline, and, in other cases, automatic refunds were denied by the airline outright.
Other passengers in the suit claim that Delta failed to provide them with food, lodging or transportation once on the ground and that they have to shoulder the unexpected expenses themselves.
“While nearly every other airline recovered quickly from the July 19 'Tech Outage,' Delta passengers were left stranded, waiting in lines for days trying to get to their destinations,” said attorney Joe Sauder of Sauder Schelkopf. a release. “When our customers requested refunds, Delta again failed.
Related: Delta Airlines cancels hundreds more flights, customers furious
of mass cancellations were brought on July 19 CrowdStrike update that caused widespread disruption to Microsoft-run equipment and affected one of Delta's main crew tracking tools.
It has been evaluated that Delta lost between $350 million and $500 million amid disruptions that caused the cancellation of nearly 7,000 flights and over 176,000 customers.
However, CrowdStrike and Delta are not taking responsibility for the travel nightmare.
Related: Delta CEO Speaks Out About Flight Cancellations, CrowdStrike
Delta told employees in a internal memo Last week, the company was “planning to pursue legal claims” against CrowdStrike and hired celebrity attorney David Boies.
This prompted a reply from attorney Michael Carlinsky, representing CrowdStrike, who claimed the company offered Delta on-site assistance during the outages but “received no response.”
Delta has not filed a lawsuit against CrowdStrike as of press time.