ORLANDO, Fla. — Officials with the U.S. Department of Transportation say the agency has received thousands of complaints in recent days against Delta Air Lines, as the airline is finally coming out of an operational meltdown.

What You Need To Know

  • Delta reported two canceled flights Thursday after canceling more than 7,000 flights in the last week.

  • Officials with the U.S. Department of Transportation said the agency received more than 5,000 complaints about Delta's treatment of passengers

  • Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Delta is required to offer cash refunds and reimburse passengers for out-of-pocket expenses

  • Delta said it is also extended travel waivers

Thursday, Delta reported just two flight cancellations, and 557 flight delays, according to FlightAware, but was forced to cancel more than 7,000 flights in the last week, blaming the recent CrowdStrike computer outage.

Delta was among countless businesses around the world impacted by last Friday's software upgrade glitch. Delta Air Lines, however suffered extensive operational failures days after other airlines and businesses resumed normal operations.

Delta said in a Thursday update that it's returned to normal operations, with average wait times for call center support below two minutes, while the company works to reunite customers with their bags.

Passengers have expressed frustration about the lack of communication and transparency from Delta and company leaders, lost bags, and refusal to offer make goods.

Delta Air Lines is now under a federal investigation for the cancellation chaos, as U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg vows to hold the airline accountable.

"Delta Air Lines operations appear to have returned to normal levels today," Buttigieg posted on social media Thursday. "I remain concerned about how this happened in the first place and accounts of stranded passengers and flight crews during this disruption. Our investigation into this breakdown will continue."

The secretary said Delta is required to reimburse passengers for out-of-pocket expenses on hotels, meals, alternative flights, and other costs. Buttigieg is encouraging passengers to file a complaint with U.S. DOT if Delta is not complying.

Airlines are required to provide passengers cash refunds when a flight is canceled and a passenger is not rebooked, even on non-refundable tickets.

A spokesperson for U.S. Department of Transportation told Spectrum News that as of Thursday evening the agency had received more than 5,000 complaints since last Friday regarding Delta Air Lines. 

In compliance with federal law, Delta said in Thursday's update that it is going to reimburse passengers for out-of-pocket expenses, refund passengers for canceled/extended delayed flights, issue travel vouchers, and extending travel waivers.