Few travelers have not at least experienced once or twice the fury of traveling on an airline that offers, should we say, less than perfect service. Of course, with the excuse of rising fuel costs and decreased manpower there is not much the traveler can do when it comes to the airlines but grin and bare it while enjoying the anything but a magical carpet ride to an exciting destination. However, if service has been bad, you were treated poorly or one of the many other reasons that airline travel is so atrocious these days, you can file a complaint. Don’t threaten it, do it. Here’s how:
Don’t just complain to the airline, they will likely try to appease you with free tickets if anything. Nope, go straight for the big guns and register a complaint with the Transportation Department. One inspector noted that of the 325 complaints that had been registered with the Transportation Department, that same airline had received 25,556 complaints.
Take note that the Transportation Department does not make it easy to file a complaint. Forget about looking for the right person at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s website. What you need to find (online) is the Aviation Consumers Protection web page and then click on Air Travel Problems and Complaints. The email address is [email protected].
Be aware that different departments handle different problems so make sure you are at the right department to file your particular complaint. Safety issues will be passed on from the Transportation Department to the FAA and if you thought the airport security was at fault, send the complaint to the Transportation Security Administration at [email protected].
If you are still having no luck then contact Airsafe.com and the company will send your complaint to the Transportation Department for you. Whether it's lost luggage, ticket refunds of just a bad flight, it’s okay to register any complaint you like.
If you have any questions, be sure you know your rights as a passenger. You can find this information in a book called "Fly Rights” published by the FAA.
Read the Air Travel Consumer Report and get an idea of the airlines that are constantly receiving complaints. Whether it's delayed flights or lost luggage, this will give you more ammunition for your own complaint.
