Flight Check

British Airways Complaints & DOT Data (2024)

8,674 complaints filed with the DOT in 2024.

Complaint Rate

6.8/100K

Total Complaints

8,674

Rank

#15 of 27

Top Issue

Flight Problems

British Airways at 6.8 per 100,000 reflects the tensions of a legacy carrier under budget pressure. Flight problems dominate, with IT outages, crew shortages, and Heathrow congestion contributing to operational unreliability that frustrates passengers paying premium fares.

vs. Industry Average

British Airways6.8/100K
Industry Average8.2/100K

British Airways is 17% below the industry average.

Monthly Complaint Rate (2024)

7.6
Jan
6.3
Feb
6.3
Mar
6.3
Apr
6.3
May
7.6
Jun
7.6
Jul
7.6
Aug
6.3
Sep
6.3
Oct
6.3
Nov
7.6
Dec

Complaints per 100K passengers by month. Red bars exceed industry average (8.2).

What People Complain About

Flight Problems83%
Customer Service17%

How to File a Complaint Against British Airways

  1. Document everything — save confirmation emails, receipts, and screenshots.
  2. Contact British Airways directly first. Give them a chance to resolve it.
  3. If unsatisfied, file with the DOT at airconsumer.dot.gov.
  4. Use the Disruption Desk to understand what you are owed.
Disruption DeskCompensation Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints did British Airways get in 2024?

British Airways received 8,674 DOT complaints in 2024, at a rate of 6.8 per 100,000 passengers. This ranks them #15 out of 27 airlines tracked.

What do people complain about most with British Airways?

The most common complaint category for British Airways is flight problems. Cancellations, significant delays, diversions, and missed connections. This is the most common complaint category overall. New DOT rules require automatic refunds for cancelled flights and significant delays.

How do I file a complaint against British Airways?

You can file a complaint against British Airways with the DOT at airconsumer.dot.gov, or use Flight Check's Disruption Desk to understand your rights and generate a complaint letter. Check what you're owed with the Compensation Calculator. Every DOT complaint is forwarded to British Airways's executive consumer affairs team.

Is British Airways complaint rate above or below average?

British Airways's complaint rate of 6.8 per 100K is 17% below the industry average of 8.2 per 100K. They rank #15 out of 27 airlines. See the full airline complaint rankings.

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Source: DOT Air Travel Consumer Report, January–December 2024.