Complaints against airlines in the US reached such numbers in 2023 that release of the data was delayed due to the sheer volume.
The US DOT’s 2023 complaints were recorded as the highest number on record, except for 2020.
The department received 96 853 complaints, compared with 86 240 in 2022. The main ones are:
1.Complaints against US-based carriers (67 661)
2.Complaints against foreign carriers (24 991)
3.Complaints against travel companies (3 162)
4.Disability-related complaints (2 685)
5.Discrimination-related complaints (223)
The department said the data might not be an indication that air travel was getting more unpleasant for passengers, but rather that the increase was the result of customers knowing about their rights and their ability to file a complaint.
The real number of complaints, however, is likely much higher, as many travellers do not know how to, or do not bother to complain to the government.
