How to Complain About an Airline If You Feel Wronged or Mistreated

September 20 2019 - There are plenty of problems that can spoil the experience of flying, such as bad weather or booking issues. However, should you experience damage to your luggage, physical injury, or discrimination, you should know how to file a complaint.

To learn more about how to complain about an airline, check out this simple guide.

Reasons to File a Complaint About an Airline

There are several reasons you might want to make an airline complaint. These issues could involve lost or stolen luggage or failure to accommodate your disability. You could also suffer injuries or deal with poor staff behavior.

Unfortunately, the airline might not know about issues unless you file an official complaint. By making a complaint, you are creating a written record to back up your version of events.

It's important to note that any claims filed with the U.S. Department of Transport or the Federal Aviation Administration are a matter of public record. Airline complaints are recorded in the monthly Air Travel Consumer Report so the public can be aware of issues.

Wichita State University also puts out annual airline ranking information known as the Airline Quality Rating. This report compiles any issues with boarding, customer complaints, baggage problems, and more. In the age of social media, airlines with poor service and customer care can suffer if the issues are not addressed.

How to Complain About an Airline: Step by Step

When you have an issue with an airline, you should first try to resolve it with the company before moving forward.

If you miss your flight or connection due to an airline's error, you should approach the ticket desk. For issues with damaged luggage or stolen belongings, talk to the airline representatives at baggage claim.

While doing so may not get you the results you're looking for, it is good to go through the motions before filing your complaint. Doing so proves you made every effort to resolve your problem before taking things to the next level.

If you decide to file a formal complaint, you have several options for submission. For in-flight injuries and any issues related to customer service or baggage, the airline is the responsible party.

Each major airline has instructions on their websites detailing how to file an official complaint. If you perform a search of your airline's name and the phrase "file a complaint," you should be directed to the info you need.

Filing a direct complaint is an excellent way to get the result you want. Should this not be successful, suing an airline is always an option.

Other options for filing a complaint include the FAA and the Transport Security Administration. You should also consider the Aviation Consumer Protection Division.

These agencies deal with flight safety, issues with security, and customer service. You could also use social media or travel review websites to let others know about your bad experience.

Filing an Airline Complaint Can Improve Service for Everyone

By speaking up about your lousy airline experience, you are doing a public service. There are many legal means at your disposal to ensure you are compensated for any preventable problems during your trip.

Did you enjoy this post? Keep browsing our website for more articles like this!

• More International HRM Articles