The Aviation Consumer Protection Division, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), said Thursday that the number of airline consumer complaints submitted to the agency in 2015 increased by 29.8 percent compared with the volume of complaints received in 2014.
USDOT's Air Travel Consumer Report said there were 20,170 complaints during 2015, compared with 15,539 complaints in 2014
In December 2015 alone, there were 1,565 complaints filed concerning airline service, 46.9 percent higher than the 1,065 complaints received in December 2014.
The complaints covered the spectrum of airline and airport frustrations, including baggage, flight problems, ticketing, reservations, consumer service, refunds, discrimination and disability access.
The consumer-oriented report separates data so that consumers can compare complaint volume among U.S. airlines, helping users choose the airline with the best service. The compiled complaint data also can be used in rulemaking, investigations, research and legislation.
The report also features data on tarmac delays, performance, chronically delayed flights, cancellations and causes of delayed flights that have been placed on file with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS).
Airline customers can file their own air travel service complaints online at www.transportation.gov/airconsumer.
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