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Detroit metro airport travelers react to delays and cancelations from CrowdStrike-related IT outage

United, Delta, and American Airlines ground planes, canceling and delaying dozens of flights at Detroit Metro Airport
LINES AT DETROIT METRO AIRPORT FOLLOWING GLOBAL GROUNDING
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ROMULUS, Mich. (WXYZ) — Detroit metro sirport felt the impact of the global outage Friday morning. The outage was caused by an update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike.

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Widespread outage disrupts flights, banks, media outlets and companies around the world

That update had a defect for all Microsoft users. Those include United, Delta and American airlines. All three airlines grounded planes worldwide Friday morning, leaving travelers with canceled or delayed flights.

“You’re stuck with no clue as you’re watching Delta planes take off,” said Ron LaPlante.

LaPlante is one of millions of travelers globally having to pivot their travel plans because of the outage.

“It’s (his flight is) canceled and there’s nothing we can do.” LaPlante added. "We're trying to see our son who’s active duty military. He’s out in New Mexico. We’re going to meet in Denver for the weekend and see our grandbabies we haven’t seen them in six months. It’s infuriating. It’s sad,” said Ron.

RELATED: Widespread outage disrupts flights, banks, media outlets and companies around the world

Computer expert talks about lingering effects of massive outage

American Airlines posted on X that as of 5 a.m., all operations were restored. United and Delta posted some of their operations were restored. Travelers then were left to deal with the backlog of canceled and delayed flights.

“The line is all-get-out long to go to this agent assist,” Zinnia Patcas said. “I went downstairs to get a bag of chips and a pop because you get hungry out here. You can’t get food until you get in the back."

Delta employees on the ground at Detroit metro airport shed some light into how they got some operations back online. An IT employee has to manually restart each computer individually.

Delta customers at Detroit metro airport also said waiting in the ticket agent lines was their only option because their apps glitched and phone lines had hours-long holds.

“To talk to a human on the phone it’s 10-plus hours,” LaPlante said.

Patcas said, "So right now, I'm just enjoying my vacation at the airport."

Delta, United and American all offered travel vouchers to people impacted by the outage, but there are some stipulations to use. Delta also has a hold on all unaccompanied minor travelers until Sunday, July 21.