WASHINGTON D.C. – Consumers filed 22% more complaints about airlines during the first half of 2014 vs. the same period in 2013, according to a recently released Department of Transportation report.
Consumers filed 7,939 complaints about airlines between January and June, vs. 6,512 during the same period a year ago, according to the DOT’s newest Air Travel Consumer Report. The categories include flight problems, checked bag problems and customer service issues.
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Despite the overall increase, consumers were happier with some aspects of their airline experience. Fliers filed 829 – or 14% fewer – complaints, for instance, related to “customer service.”
The category of “flight problems” received the biggest uptick in complaints – 2,702 44% more in 2014, vs. 2013. Driving the increase: A 77% increase in complaints about “cancellations,” which is one of the three subcategories along with “delays” and “misconnections,” the report says.
The chart above shows the six categories that receive the bulk of complaints.
Readers: Have you ever complained to the DOT about your airline experience?
