Close Menu
News JournosNews Journos
  • World
  • U.S. News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Europe News
  • Finance
  • Turkey Reports
  • Money Watch
  • Health
Editors Picks

Tesla law firm writes Delaware bill

February 19, 2025

Former U.S. Attorney Passes Away at 43, Authorities Confirm

March 22, 2025

Trump Embraces Monarchical Language in Recent Actions

February 20, 2025

Trump Criticizes Putin Over Comments on Zelenskyy

March 30, 2025

States File Lawsuits Against Trump Administration Over AmeriCorps Funding Cuts

April 29, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Latest Headlines:
  • Hurricane Melissa Devastates Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, Causing Dozens of Fatalities
  • Autonomous Kodiak Truck System Achieves Highest Safety Rating Comparable to Human-Operated Fleets
  • Trump Calls for Immediate Resumption of US Nuclear Weapons Testing
  • Dutch Parliamentary Election Too Close to Call, Exit Poll Reveals
  • NBA Salaries of Billups and Rozier Withheld
  • Tragic Incident in Gebze Leaves 4 Dead and 1 Injured
  • Two Hunger-Striking Prisoners Near Death in Protest Against Prison Conditions
  • Trump Administration Claims Success in Striking Alleged Drug Boat in Pacific, Four Killed
  • Study Finds Musk’s Polarizing Actions Impact Tesla Sales Negatively
  • Tracy Morgan Discusses Career and Life-Altering Crash: “You Have to Cherish It”
  • Senate Passes Resolution to Block Tariffs on Canada
  • Pentagon Targets Narco-Terrorist Boat, Four Killed Under Trump’s Orders
  • Trump and Xi Set for Crucial Meeting in South Korea
  • Nvidia Achieves Milestone as First Company to Reach $5 Trillion Valuation
  • Key Takeaways from Fed Meeting and Powell’s News Conference
  • Chipotle Reports Q3 2025 Earnings Results
  • Blue County Faces Backlash After ICE Arrests Serial Offender with 10 Prior Arrests
  • Texas Girl Fends Off Attempted Abduction by Biting Attacker
  • Hurricane Melissa Strikes Jamaica with Severe Winds and Rain, Moves Toward Cuba
  • 5 Key Tips for Protecting Your Online Privacy on Social Media
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
News JournosNews Journos
Subscribe
Wednesday, October 29
  • World
  • U.S. News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Europe News
  • Finance
  • Turkey Reports
  • Money Watch
  • Health
News JournosNews Journos
You are here: News Journos » Money Watch » Airlines Ranked by Passenger Complaints in 2024
Airlines Ranked by Passenger Complaints in 2024

Airlines Ranked by Passenger Complaints in 2024

News EditorBy News EditorMay 15, 2025 Money Watch 6 Mins Read

Air travel in the United States continues to be a source of frustration for passengers, as evidenced by a report revealing a sharp increase in complaints against airlines. In 2024, a staggering 66,675 complaints were lodged, marking a significant rise since the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With issues ranging from cancelled flights to mishandled baggage, the consumer advocacy group, U.S. PIRG Education Fund, highlights ongoing struggles facing travelers and the airline industry.

Article Subheadings
1) Surge in Complaints Post-Pandemic
2) The Impact of Flight Cancellations
3) Trends in Delays and On-Time Arrivals
4) Airline Performance Ratings
5) Looking Ahead: Challenges for Travelers

Surge in Complaints Post-Pandemic

The report from U.S. PIRG Education Fund revealed an unprecedented rise in complaints against U.S. airlines, with 66,675 grievances filed in 2024. This marked a sharp increase from pre-pandemic levels, where annual complaints were usually below 20,000. The surge in complaints can be attributed predominantly to the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the travel restrictions and drastic reductions in air travel demand, airlines struggled to ramp up capacity in 2021 and 2022, leading to numerous cancellations and service delays. The resulting frustrations for passengers have prompted a growing number to formally register complaints with the Department of Transportation (DOT).

According to consumer watchdog director Teresa Murray, it is often a lack of successful communication with airlines over refunds that drives passengers to file complaints. “When people try to get their money back and the airline hasn’t done it, that’s when people file complaints,” she conveyed. Indeed, many complaints arose from requests for refunds due to cancelled flights or compensation for lost and damaged luggage. Additionally, new regulations introduced in 2024 mandate automatic refunds for cancelled or significantly delayed flights, which puts additional pressure on airlines to resolve customer grievances effectively.

The Impact of Flight Cancellations

Flight cancellations continue to plague airlines across the board, with a notable increase observed in recent years. In 2024, approximately 102,908 flights were cancelled, representing a slight rise from 1.28% to 1.36% of all flights compared to 2023. This increase accentuates the challenges airlines face in managing schedules amidst fluctuating demand and operational pressures, which have been exacerbated by ongoing air traffic control shortages.

Airlines have been working diligently to bolster their schedules following the pandemic-induced disruptions, but the ongoing labor shortages in air traffic controller positions are poised to add further chaos. The difficulties caused by these cancellations significantly contribute to dissatisfaction among travelers, many of whom are left scrambling for alternate transportation or compelled to change their travel plans at the last minute.

Trends in Delays and On-Time Arrivals

Alongside cancellations, flight delays remain a significant concern. According to the report, the on-time arrival rate dropped slightly, with only 78.1% of flights landing as scheduled in 2024, compared to 78.3% in 2023. This reduction in punctuality has caused frustration for many passengers, who rely on timely travel to adhere to connecting flights or scheduled events upon their arrival.

While some airlines managed to improve their performance in handling delays, notable discrepancies between carriers persist. Passengers fly with the hope that their travel plans will remain undisturbed, but as seen in recent findings, the frequency of delays still impacts air travelers significantly. These disruptions can lead to added stress and delays in personal and professional commitments, causing passengers to voice their concerns through formal complaints.

Airline Performance Ratings

When it comes to measuring the overall performance of airlines, the recent report from U.S. PIRG provided an extensive breakdown of complaint rates, cancellation records, and delay statistics by individual airlines. The findings revealed a stark contrast between the best and worst performers in the industry.

For instance, Southwest Airlines emerged as the top performer with just 1.5 complaints per 100,000 passengers, followed closely by Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. On the contrary, Frontier Airlines faced the highest number of complaints at 23.3 per 100,000 passengers, accompanied by the worst cancellation and on-time arrival rates.

As the report illustrates, the variance in service quality among airlines can influence consumer choices significantly. Passengers seeking reliable travel options may weigh these statistics heavily when considering which airline to book their next flight with.

Looking Ahead: Challenges for Travelers

As 2025 approaches, challenges remain for travelers and industry stakeholders alike. The ongoing nationwide air traffic controller shortages present considerable hurdles that could lead to further delays and cancellations. These pressures place an additional burden on airlines as they attempt to meet rebuilding demand while complying with new regulations mandating more customer-friendly practices.

The expectation of automatic refunds for cancellations and delays is certainly a step forward; however, the execution of these policies will be crucial in shaping customer experiences. Passengers will continue to advocate for their rights and seek accountability, and airlines must navigate this evolving landscape carefully to maintain customer loyalty while rebuilding their reputations.

No. Key Points
1 Record complaints lodged against U.S. airlines reached 66,675 in 2024.
2 Flight cancellations have spiked, with a total of 102,908 cancelled flights last year.
3 The percentage of on-time flights slightly decreased to 78.1% in 2024.
4 Southwest Airlines is recognized as the top performer, while Frontier Airlines ranked the worst.
5 Air traffic controller shortages could exacerbate travel issues in 2025.

Summary

The airline industry in the United States is at a critical juncture as it confronts the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in record-high complaint levels, flight cancellations, and operational delays. Navigating the challenges presented by new regulations and ongoing systemic issues will be vital for airlines seeking to improve customer satisfaction and regain trust. As travelers continue to voice their concerns, the industry’s response will significantly influence its future trajectory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What are the primary reasons for the increase in airline complaints?

The increase in airline complaints can primarily be attributed to issues such as flight cancellations, delays, and mishandled luggage. Following the pandemic, many travelers experienced frustration over refund processes, which led to a surge in formal complaints with the Department of Transportation.

Question: How has the pandemic affected airline operations?

The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant travel restrictions and a drastic reduction in demand, causing airlines to struggle with ramping up capacity effectively. This has contributed to an increase in scheduling issues, cancellations, and subsequent complaints from passengers.

Question: Which airline had the most complaints filed against it?

According to recent data, Frontier Airlines had the highest rate of complaints per 100,000 passengers, reflecting challenges in cancellations, on-time arrivals, and mishandling of luggage, which drew significant passenger dissatisfaction.

Airlines Banking Budgeting Complaints Consumer Finance Credit Cards Debt Management Economic Indicators Economic Trends Entrepreneurship Financial Literacy Financial News Financial Planning Investing Market Analysis Money Tips Passenger Personal Finance Ranked Retirement Saving Side Hustles Stock Market Wealth Management
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Reddit WhatsApp Copy Link Bluesky
News Editor
  • Website

As the News Editor at News Journos, I am dedicated to curating and delivering the latest and most impactful stories across business, finance, politics, technology, and global affairs. With a commitment to journalistic integrity, we provide breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert insights to keep our readers informed in an ever-changing world. News Journos is your go-to independent news source, ensuring fast, accurate, and reliable reporting on the topics that matter most.

Keep Reading

Money Watch

Senate Passes Resolution to Block Tariffs on Canada

4 Mins Read
Money Watch

Louisiana Residents Concerned About Rising Energy Costs and Meta AI Data Center Construction

6 Mins Read
Money Watch

Federal Workers Urged to Understand Retroactive Pay Process

5 Mins Read
Money Watch

Federal Food Aid Paused Due to Government Shutdown Starting November 1

6 Mins Read
Money Watch

Louvre Heist Sparks Furniture Lift Company’s Hopes for Increased Sales

5 Mins Read
Money Watch

Inflation Rises in September, Outpacing Expectations

6 Mins Read
Journalism Under Siege
Editors Picks

DHS Confirms No Child Separations Under Trump Administration

April 26, 2025

Trump Proposes Tariff on Entertainment Industry, Advocates for Domestic Film Production

May 4, 2025

Court Temporarily Blocks Order for DOGE to Disclose Work Details

May 25, 2025

Elon Musk’s Cost-Cutting Tour Targets CIA Amid Other Key Developments

March 31, 2025

Trump Offers Gratitude to El Salvador for Accepting Alleged Gang Members

March 16, 2025

Subscribe to News

Get the latest sports news from NewsSite about world, sports and politics.

Facebook X (Twitter) Pinterest Vimeo WhatsApp TikTok Instagram

News

  • World
  • U.S. News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Europe News
  • Finance
  • Money Watch

Journos

  • Top Stories
  • Turkey Reports
  • Health
  • Tech
  • Sports
  • Entertainment

COMPANY

  • About Us
  • Get In Touch
  • Our Authors
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Accessibility

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

© 2025 The News Journos. Designed by The News Journos.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Ad Blocker Enabled!
Ad Blocker Enabled!
Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please support us by disabling your Ad Blocker.
Go to mobile version