Flying in the United States has become more stressful for many travelers. Travelers Are Complaining About Airlines in the U.S. Right Now. In 2024, complaints against U.S. airlines reached a record high, a new report said. This was the fourth time in five years that airline complaints reached a record.

The statistics, compiled by the U.S. Department of Transportation and analyzed by the U.S. PIRG Education Fund, indicate that passengers are voicing their complaints louder than ever before. A total of 66,675 complaints were made against 10 large U.S. airlines in 2024—an increase of nearly 9 percent over 2023. That’s particularly shocking because air carrier passengers only grew by 4 percent.

So, what’s happening? And what does it mean for flyers planning to travel in 2025?

Let’s get an overview of what flyers are complaining about, which airlines are getting the lion’s share of complaints, and how it impacts your travel plans.

More Complaints Despite Slight Passenger Growth

One of the reasons for the rise in complaints is that people are better aware of their rights these days. As lead author of the report, Teresa Murray reports, travelers have discovered that complaining gets results. When carriers know they are being monitored, they’re more likely to better service—and at least respond to complaints.

Nevertheless, the sudden spike in complaints is not all about publicity. It also indicates genuine issues travelers are encountering, such as flight delays, cancellations, and subpar service.

Which Airlines Had the Most Complaints?

Frontier Airlines topped the complaint list for the third consecutive year with 23.3 complaints for every 100,000 passengers. Spirit Airlines was next, followed by JetBlue. The median among the 10 largest U.S. airlines was 7.2 complaints for every 100,000 passengers in 2024.

Conversely, the lowest complaint rate was experienced by Southwest Airlines, followed by Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines.

If you’re booking a flight and asking yourself which airline to fly with, this information can assist you in making an informed choice. Budget airlines might sell tickets at lower prices, but with a greater likelihood of issues.

What Are Passengers Complaining About?

The three most frequent causes of complaints were:

• Refunds

• Flight cancellations and delays

• Baggage and wheelchair issues

• These categories accounted for close to three-quarters of all complaints in 2024.

Other issues, such as reservations difficulties, poor customer service, fare disputes, and difficulties in accommodating travelers with disabilities, also plagued travelers regularly.

Flight cancellations and delays were particularly exasperating. Approximately 22 percent of flights in 2024 were canceled or delayed. That is equal to 1.7 million disrupted flights just within one year.

What’s Being Done About It?

The silver lining is that there are new regulations in effect to safeguard travelers. Under the FAA Reauthorization Act approved by Congress, airlines must make refunds promptly if your flight is canceled—regardless of the cause. A three-hour or greater delay is also now legally a “significant delay,” which entitles you to compensation or a refund.

Airlines may also be penalized if they keep passengers waiting on the tarmac for extended periods. In 2024, 437 domestic flights experienced tarmac delays of more than three hours, the most since regulations began in 2010. This indicates that some airlines continue to have difficulty adhering to simple passenger protection regulations.

What to Expect in 2025

In the future, things are expected to become even more difficult for air travel. With fewer air traffic controllers, there will be even more delays and flight cancellations. Some of the largest airlines, such as United and Delta, already announced that they will reduce flights over the next few months.

If demand for travel remains robust while flights decrease, travelers could be forced to endure crowded airports, packed planes, and more extensive waiting periods. This could result in yet another record year for grievances.

The International Air Transport Association expects global passenger numbers to increase by 6.7 percent in 2025. That would mean over 5 billion people flying worldwide. Even if that growth slows down, it’s clear that demand for travel is still strong.

What Travelers Can Do

If you’re flying soon, here are a few tips to avoid issues:

• Book early and try to fly during off-peak times

• Use more complaint-friendly airlines, such as Southwest or Alaska

• Track your flight and opt for alerts

• Save receipts and screenshot in case you have to complain

• Understand your refund and delay rights

In case of issues, don’t shy away from complaining to the U.S. Department of Transportation. It might better the service and help other passengers as well.

Many travelers are complaining about airlines in the U.S. due to a combination of factors including a surge in travel demand, staffing shortages, and issues with refunds and compensation. Airlines are struggling to keep up with the increased number of passengers, leading to delays, cancellations, and a decrease in on-time performance. Additionally, passengers are reporting difficulties getting refunds for canceled flights and problems with handling baggage and wheelchair transportation.

• Here’s a more detailed look at the issues:
• Increased Travel Demand:
• Travel has rebounded significantly after the pandemic, with more people flying than ever before. However, airlines haven’t been able to fully adjust to this increased demand, leading to staffing shortages and operational difficulties.
• Staffing Shortages:
• Airlines are facing challenges in hiring and retaining staff, particularly pilots, flight attendants, and mechanics. These shortages contribute to delays, cancellations, and a general feeling of being overwhelmed.
• Refunds and Compensation:
• Travelers are experiencing difficulties getting refunds for canceled flights, with some airlines pushing for credits or vouchers instead of cash refunds. Additionally, passengers are facing challenges in getting compensation for delays, lost baggage, and other issues.
• Baggage Handling:
• Lost or damaged baggage remains a common complaint, with airlines struggling to keep up with the volume of luggage being checked.
• Disability-Related Issues:
• Complaints about airline treatment of passengers with disabilities, including wheelchair transportation and accommodations, have also increased.
• Increased Consumer Awareness and Rights:
• More consumers are aware of their rights as air travelers and are more likely to file complaints with the U.S. Department of Transportation.
• New Regulations:
• The U.S. government has introduced new regulations to protect passengers, including requiring airlines to provide automatic refunds for canceled flights and to better address customer complaints.

Final Thoughts

Domestic air travel in the United States is under siege, but being prepared and knowing your options will keep you ahead of the game. Whether you’re flying for business or pleasure, advance planning makes all the difference.

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