Travelers still experiencing delays, cancellations after global technology outage

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Weekend travelers were left frustrated, confused, and in some cases, stranded at airports across the country after a global technology outage caused delays and cancellations on Friday.

The effects of the outage, which affected Microsoft apps and services, are still being felt by many, including travelers experiencing delays, cancellations and lost luggage.

CJ and Natalie Alberti arrived in Buffalo following their honeymoon and were in a good mood, considering what it took for them to get back home. They are still waiting for their luggage to return.

“With the whole outage and all these delays, they couldn’t get us on a flight until tonight and we didn’t want to wait, so we ended up taking a bus overnight,” Natalie said. “There were no rentals, we went to every rental at the airport that was open last night. They had none available from JFK to drive home.”

Alieshaia and Jon found their luggage on Sunday at the Buffalo Airport.

“We are very relieved because we have flown from Detroit and got stranded there,” Alieshaia said.

“We haven’t had our luggage since I guess Saturday early morning and we had a wedding to attend yesterday, so we just got our luggage back,” Jean said.

Throughout the weekend, travelers were left scrambling to find ways to get to their destinations.

“People stuck in airports around the world. It’s not acceptable,” said Clarke Donovan, who was traveling from New Zealand. “Families sleeping where they can.”

“Certainly a lot of people waiting around and also a lot of confusion,” said Tepruea Winiata, who was also traveling from New Zealand. “Distress, people trying to get on flights.”

One group of 12 that was traveling from New Zealand got split up.

“This morning, overnight, our bookings changed,” Winiata said. “We don’t know why, but we can only assume it’s been part of the disruption, and so half of us got left behind. They’ll be traveling later this afternoon.”

Mary Baig, who was traveling home to California, said Delta canceled her flight twice. She has been waiting to get back home since Friday, so she switched her flight to Southwest in order to get there.

“Not only that, my son had to drive me all the way from Rochester to Buffalo in order to get this flight so I can go home,” she said. “I’m glad I’m going home.”

Sarah Minkewicz is an Emmy-nominated reporter and Buffalo native who has been a part of the News 4 team since 2019. Follow Sarah on Twitter @SarahMinkewicz and click here to see more of her work.