It’s shaping as much as be a record-breaking yr for client complaints towards U.S. airways, with the variety of complaints filed within the first 5 months of 2023 greater than double the quantity filed throughout the identical interval final yr, in accordance with a brand new report.
Primarily based on newly launched knowledge from the U.S. Division of Transportation, the variety of complaints filed by vacationers between January and Might 2023 was on observe to hit a brand new file, in accordance with the report by U.S. Public Curiosity Analysis Group, a Washington, D.C.-based client watchdog.
“Complaints towards U.S. airways will break one other file in 2023,” PIRG stated within the report. “Cancellations have improved however delays, mishandled baggage and broken wheelchairs are worse.”
From January to Might, vacationers filed greater than 38,000 complaints towards U.S. and overseas airways, journey brokers and tour operators — up 68% from final yr.
Out of these, 26,312 complaints have been towards U.S. airways, which is greater than double the whole from the identical interval final yr.
Complaints that vacationers file to DOT about airways “are alleged to be filed solely by vacationers who had a problem and couldn’t get it resolved by way of the airline,” PIRG famous within the report.
A 3rd of complaints have been about flight issues, the report acknowledged, which revolve round flight cancellations, delays, or missed connections. A fifth have been concerning the lack of refunds. Complaints about misplaced or broken baggage or wheelchairs fashioned 16% of the complaints.
Vacationers have been additionally irritated by airfares, points with reservations and ticketing, customer support, and extra.
The airways that acquired probably the most complaints per 100,000 passengers included Frontier
ULCC,
Spirit Airways
SAVE,
and Hawaiian Airways
HA,
PIRG discovered.
The airways with the least variety of complaints per 100,000 passengers have been Republic Airways , SkyWest
SKYW,
and Alaska Airways
ALK,
Among the many 4 largest airways, Southwest Airways
LUV,
fared the perfect, adopted by Delta Air Traces
DAL,
Airways for America, a commerce group representing the U.S. airline trade, didn’t reply instantly to a request for remark.
PIRG’s report gives a window into the flying expertise. With greater than 115 million individuals anticipated to journey this vacation season, the report means that Individuals must be ready for extra ache, significantly in the event that they’re flying.
Final Christmas proved to be extremely difficult for a lot of airline passengers. PIRG famous that between Dec. 22, 2022 and Dec. 29, 2022, greater than 25,000 flights have been canceled. “Too many households spent the vacation weekend sleeping on the ground in airports,” PIRG acknowledged.
Whereas complaints about cancellations have improved in contrast with final yr, flight delays have been a much bigger downside than they have been in 2022, PIRG stated.
Ideas for flying throughout vacation durations
For these braving the crowds and touring this Christmas and New 12 months, PIRG supplied some ideas.
First, obtain the airline’s app. “This can assist you to get real-time notifications and talk instantly with customer support, particularly if it’s essential to rebook your flight and the telephone strains are jammed,” the report stated. Don’t depend on a web based seek for the airline’s quantity since you could possibly be calling a scammer masquerading as their customer support.
Put trackers in your luggage. Apple’s
AAPL,
AirTag tracker is one instance, however there are others. With the variety of complaints about misplaced baggage rising, a tracker might help you retain tabs on the placement of your bag or stroller or wheelchair always.
Know your authorized rights. In case your airline cancels your flight, you’re entitled by legislation to a full refund of your ticket value, taxes, baggage charges, and any further expenses or charges, PIRG careworn.
“You even have extra rights in case your flight is canceled or considerably delayed for causes inside the airline’s management, corresponding to staffing or tools points,” PIRG stated. “Many airways rebook you totally free, and pay for inns, meals, floor transportation, et cetera. Even when it’s not the airline’s fault, you’ll be able to ask an airline to rebook you on their airline or a competitor’s. They usually will.”
Fly within the morning. The sooner you schedule your flight, the extra buffer you’ve in case your flight is delayed, or should you’re rebooked. In case you are on a red-eye flight and it will get canceled, you’ll have to attend till subsequent morning, which might derail your plans.
Keep away from connecting flights. Brief connections and juggling two flights will increase your possibilities of operating into issues. A delay on the primary leg might lead to you lacking the second half to get to your vacation spot. “The additional value of a continuous might prevent lots of stress and expense,” PIRG suggested.
Pay with a bank card. “In case you purchase your aircraft ticket with a bank card, you’ve far higher safety to dispute the cost beneath the federal Honest Credit score Billing Act,” PIRG stated.
Take a photograph and doc your stuff. PIRG suggested that if you’re checking a bag — it’s higher should you don’t, they added — take a photograph of your belongings within the suitcase, which is able to come in useful if it’s essential to file a declare with the airline. “You’re entitled to reimbursement as much as $3,800 in case your bag is misplaced,” PIRG stated. “When you’ve got costly objects, take photographs of them and write down the mannequin numbers, serial numbers, et cetera.”
