Who Should I Contact About a Bad Experience With an Airline?

Dear Jessica,

Who should I contact if I have a bad experience with an airline?

—E.R.

Dear E.R.,

You have several options when it comes to reporting a bad experience with an airline.

First, you can always complain to the airline itself. Look for the “contact us” section of the airline’s website, where you’ll find the customer relations phone number, email address, and mailing address. If you’re seeking compensation, written requests are often the most effective. Before firing off a letter, however, take a look at tips for effective complaints.

RELATED: How to Complain at the Airport (and Actually Get What You Want)

The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Aviation Consumer Protection Division (ACPD) maintains a database for complaints against airlines. To contact the ACPD, you can call 202-366-2220 or fill out the online web form. If you prefer to write a letter, it should be addressed to:

Aviation Consumer Protection Division, C-75
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave, S.E.
Washington, D.C., 20590

Lastly, if you’re primarily seeking a forum to vent your frustrations, you’ll find plenty of travelers with whom to commiserate on websites devoted to complaints about airlines. You can also try directly tweeting your airline with your complaint.

More from SmarterTravel

• 10 Ways to Make the Airlines Pay When They Fail You
• The Art of the Complaint
• Unresolved Complaint? Post a Gripe

Last Updated: September 17, 2015