Reports confirm a surge in complaints about flight cancellations, delays, and mishandled luggage. This year, an unprecedented number of travelers are hitting the skies, with the holiday season expected tob e particularly busy. As a result, passengers are advised to pack their 'proverbial patience'.
Unfortunate records trend in the direction of flight-related frustrations, with flyer complaints at an all-time high. Airports such as LaGuardia International find themselves a focus for these growing challenges.
In the past year alone, the problems surrounding delays and cancellations have become increasingly prevalent. U.S. Airlines and their passengers have had an incredibly challenging year with the volume of complaints escalating. Current figures suggest that the number of grievances against U.S. Airlines has more than doubled compared to last year.
In the first five months of 2023 alone, over 38,000 complaints have been filed against U.S and foreign airlines, travel agents, and tour operators. This represents a nearly 70% increase compared with the same period the previous year. Frontier Airlines tops the list of most complained-about airlines, followed by Spirit, Hawaiian, Jet Blue, and United Airlines respectively.
While overall cancellations have dropped this year, delays have surged, leading to interrupted journeys and passengers stranded for hours or even days. The nature of the problems means that many passengers find themselves missing connecting flights and dealing with significant disruptions to their plans.
Adding to the frustration, the Department of Transportation's (DOT) rules regarding delays in the U.S. are ambiguous. As a result, passengers are left unsure about possible refunds or alternative bookings when their flights are canceled or delayed. Each airline tends to operate under its own set of rules, causing further confusion for the public.
This year, airports are bracing for their busiest holiday season yet, highlighting the urgent need for resolution to these growing problems. The Department of Transport and airline companies alike urge passengers to familiarize themselves with cancellation and delay policies to avoid being caught off guard this festive season.
