Flight Check

United Airlines Complaints & DOT Data (2024)

11,156 complaints filed with the DOT in 2024.

Complaint Rate

6.9/100K

Total Complaints

11,156

Rank

#14 of 27

Top Issue

Flight Problems

United Airlines logged over 11,100 complaints in 2024, with customer service issues leading the pack. At 6.9 per 100,000, United's rate is near the industry middle, but its sheer scale means thousands of passengers have negative experiences every month.

vs. Industry Average

United Airlines6.9/100K
Industry Average8.2/100K

United Airlines is 16% below the industry average.

Monthly Complaint Rate (2024)

7.7
Jan
6.4
Feb
6.4
Mar
6.4
Apr
6.4
May
7.7
Jun
7.7
Jul
7.7
Aug
6.4
Sep
6.4
Oct
6.4
Nov
7.7
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 United Airlines

  1. Document everything — save confirmation emails, receipts, and screenshots.
  2. Contact United Airlines 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 United Airlines get in 2024?

United Airlines received 11,156 DOT complaints in 2024, at a rate of 6.9 per 100,000 passengers. This ranks them #14 out of 27 airlines tracked.

What do people complain about most with United Airlines?

The most common complaint category for United Airlines 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 United Airlines?

You can file a complaint against United Airlines 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 United Airlines's executive consumer affairs team.

Is United Airlines complaint rate above or below average?

United Airlines's complaint rate of 6.9 per 100K is 16% below the industry average of 8.2 per 100K. They rank #14 out of 27 airlines. See the full airline complaint rankings.

Compare Other Airlines

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