For the first time since the U.S. Department of Transportation last year launched a new system for submitting and handling air travel service complaints, the agency released monthly submission data for August through December 2025.
Under the new system, launched Aug. 1, submissions now include complaints, comments and compliments. Prior reports defined submissions as complaints, inquiries and opinions. There are not comparable data points to show year-over-year changes.
August 2025
DOT in August received a total of 7,657 complaints, nine compliments and 45 comments, according to the agency. Of the complaints, 79 percent were for U.S. carriers, 18.5 percent were for foreign carriers, and nearly 2.5 percent were for travel agencies.
September 2025
Air travel submissions for September included 5,569 complaints, four compliments and 27 comments. Of the complaints, 71.5 percent were for U.S. carriers, 25 percent were for foreign carriers, and 3 percent were for travel agencies.
October 2025
DOT in October received 4,513 complaints, five compliments and 35 comments. Of the complaints, 69 percent were for U.S. carriers, 27 percent were for foreign carriers, and more than 3.5 percent were for travel agencies.
November 2025
Air travel submissions for November included 4,556 complaints, five compliments and 27 comments. Of the complaints, nearly 68 percent were for U.S. carriers, 28 percent were for foreign carriers, and more than 4 percent were for travel agencies.
December 2025
DOT in December received 6,785 complaints, 12 compliments and 59 comments. Of the complaints, 70 percent were for U.S. carriers, 26 percent were for foreign carriers, and more than 3.5 percent were for travel agencies.
DOT said that it expects to provide "even more granular data for complaints received in the calendar year 2026."