Delta Faces Lawsuit Over Flight Refunds

A group of passengers affected by Delta Air Lines' extensive flight cancellations due to a CrowdStrike outage last month has filed a lawsuit against the airline. The plaintiffs allege that Delta has failed to provide necessary refunds and reimbursements for expenses incurred as a result of the disruptions. The complaint highlights that many passengers were forced to spend thousands of dollars on alternative flights, accommodations, and meals, while also being separated from their luggage, which included essential items like medication and clothing. One plaintiff detailed the impact of the cancellations on his anniversary plans, stating that he and his wife were stranded without their luggage and missed a $10,000 cruise. He claims to have requested a refund for his canceled flight and additional expenses totaling $800, but Delta has only offered a reimbursement of $219.45. The lawsuit underscores the financial strain and inconvenience faced by passengers due to Delta's operational failures. In response to the lawsuit, Delta has not provided specific comments but has directed inquiries to a section of its website outlining measures taken to assist affected customers. The airline is allowing passengers who booked travel between July 19-28 to request refunds for unflown portions of their trips and has expanded the list of reimbursable expenses, including tickets purchased from other airlines. Delta's stock has suffered significantly, dropping over 20% this quarter and more than 6% for the year. The airline has engaged prominent attorney David Boies to explore potential damages against CrowdStrike and Microsoft, as the operational downtime lasted nearly a week, while competitors resumed services within days.