Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
Instagram
[MM_Member_Decision isMember='true'] MY ACCOUNT LOG OUT [/MM_Member_Decision] [MM_Member_Decision isMember='false'] subscriber log in [/MM_Member_Decision]
Product was added to your cart

Cart

  • Home
  • Destinations
  • Tips & Tricks
    • On The Road
    • Saving Money
    • Gadgets & Tech
    • Health & Safety
  • Deals
  • News
  • Courses
  • Shop
  • Podcast
  • About
  • Contact

News

NAVIGATION The Voyage Report > News > Complaints Against Airlines Soar 71%, USDOT Says

Complaints Against Airlines Soar 71%, USDOT Says

June 15, 2017by Mark Albert
Airline Complaints Passengers

WASHINGTON (TVR) – Complaints filed by passengers against airlines soared 71% in April, the same month several viral incidents shamed carriers into changing policies relating to overbooking, compensation, and use of law enforcement on board planes.

Monthly data released by the U.S. Department of Transportation on Wednesday showed consumer complaints jumped against both domestic and foreign airlines.

For the month of April, the latest period for which data is available, passengers entered 1,877 complaints against all airlines, an increase of 71.4% over April 2016.

Complaints filed with the federal government against U.S. airlines surged 64.3%, while complaints against foreign carriers spiked 98.6%.

Consumer complaints airlines

Courtesy: USDOT

Travelers on Spirit Airlines complained the most in April, with 7.20 complaints per 100,000 passengers—14 times the rate of complaints on Southwest, the US DOT said.

–>RELATED: Why People Love to Fly the Airline They Hate the Most

Complaints by airline

Facial Recognition Biometrics Fingerprints CBP–>RELATED: TSA Deploys Fingerprint Readers at Airport Screening Checkpoints

-–>RELATED: Passport Surge Prompts State Department to Double Staff

–>RELATED: Airport Biometrics Expand: Bag Drop, Check-in, Lounge Access, Boarding

Complaints Follow Viral Videos

The jump in complaints came the same month in which video of several incidents on planes went viral.

By far, the one with the most lasting and far-reaching impact was the case of Dr. David Dao, who was dragged off a full flight by Chicago Aviation Department officers after refusing to give up his seat after boarding.

Dao, who suffered several facial injuries and a concussion, later reached an undisclosed settlement with the airline.

American Airlines also suffered in the court of public opinion in April, when a video of a confrontation between a tearful woman with a baby stroller, a flight attendant, and a first class passenger went viral.

The flight attendant could be heard urging the passenger to “hit me.”

The airline later apologized.

Delta also found itself apologizing that month, after severe weather melted down the carrier’s operations, leading to thousands of cancelled flights and misplaced crews.

–>RELATED: Airline Satisfaction Highest Ever, Study Says; Beware Social Media

–>VIDEO: How to Save Hundreds Off Every Flight

–>TIPS: 9 Smart Tips For Flying With Kids

Outrage Leads to Airline Changes

In response to customer ire, many airlines change their policies and procedures

United apologized and overhauled its overbooking and compensation policies.

Among other changes, it will offer passengers up to $10,000 in vouchers in oversold situations so as to avoid involuntarily bumping a traveler off a flight, as it did to Dr. Dao.

–>TIPS: 6 Ways to Avoid Getting Bumped Off Your Flight

Delta also altered its compensation rules, authorizing supervisors to offer up to $9,950 in overbooking situations.

Southwest ended its practice of deliberate overbooking altogether.

In a hearing after the incident, Congress warned airline CEOs that if they did not improve customer service, lawmakers could add further consumer protections into law.

The House Transportation Committee even set up a special email address to take flier suggestions for improving aviation.

Most Adventurous Costa Rica Zip Line–>RELATED: Global Study Ranks Most Adventurous Countries for 2017

–>RELATED: U.S. Issues Ultimatum to 71 Airports: Tighten Security or Face Electronics Ban

–>TIPS: 10 Ways to Protect Checked Gadgets During Electronics Ban

–>DEAL ALERT: 12 Money-Saving Ideas for Summer

–>TIPS: How to Use Airline Gift Cards to Save Money on Airfare

–>TIPS: How to Find the Best Airfare Deals

Mark Albert
Mark is a Peabody Award-winner who has reported in newsrooms across the country, most recently as a freelance correspondent at CBS News. He's traveled to 60 countries so far and plans to get to the rest—with a little luck.
Previous post TSA Deploys Fingerprint Readers at Airport Screening Checkpoints Next post Trump Curtails Cuba Travel, Reverses Obama Thaw; Individual Travel Prohibited

Got a Tip? Share it! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Travel should be enjoyable for everyone, so no inappropriate comments, please. For more, read the Responsible Use and Conduct section in our Terms of Service. Thank you for sharing your tips and tricks with your fellow travelers!

More News

  • National Park Fees Rise Hazel Mountain Overlook-Shenandoah Natl Park Higher National Park Fees Take Effect Today; Free Days Cut June 1, 2018
  • Great Wall of China Sonic Attack U.S. Warns of Sonic Attack in China; Similar to Cuba Assaults on Americans May 29, 2018
  • Memorial Day weekend beach pool sun water Worst Times for Memorial Day Weekend Travel; Top Congested Destinations May 24, 2018

BROWSE BY CATEGORY

  • On The Road
  • Saving Money
  • Gadgets & Tech
  • Health & Safety

Book Travel

Sign up for our Newsletter

Get the scoop on the latest news, money-saving tips, videos, deals, and more!(our on-time record is better than the airlines’)

We promise we don’t spam or sell your email address.
BE A CONTRIBUTOR
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
Instagram

[MM_Member_Decision isMember='false'] SUBSCRIBE SIGN IN [/MM_Member_Decision] [MM_Member_Decision isMember='true'] MY ACCOUNT SIGN OUT [/MM_Member_Decision]

The Voyage Report

Home About Us Contact Terms of Service Privacy Policy

Popular Destinations

  • France
  • Morocco
  • Peru
  • Israel
  • Bali

Travel Tips

On The Road Saving Money Tech & Gadgets Health & Safety

Explore

Deals News Podcast Courses Shop

Sign up for our Newsletter

Get the scoop on travel, including the latest news, money-saving tips, videos, deals, and more
Are you a passionate journalist? Become a Contributor.

VoyageReport.com © 2017-2018 The Travel Lede, LLC