The U.S. Department of Transportation today released its Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR) on airline operational data compiled for the month of August for on-time performance, consumer complaints received, mishandled baggage, and mishandled wheelchairs and scooters. There was a 6.0% increase in air travel service complaints from July to August, and complaints are more than 320% above pre-pandemic levels. The previous report from July showed a 16.5% increase from June to July, and complaints were more than 260% above pre-pandemic levels.
August 2022 On-Time Arrival
In August 2022, reporting marketing carriers posted an on-time arrival rate of 75.6% up from 74.9% in July 2022 and down from 77.6% in pre-pandemic August 2019. The year-to-date on-time arrival rate for 2022 is 75.8%.
Highest Marketing Carrier On-Time Arrival Rates August 2022
- Delta Air Lines Network – 82.9%
- Alaska Airlines Network – 82.3%
- Spirit Airlines – 81.6%
Lowest Marketing Carrier On-Time Arrival Rates August 2022
- JetBlue Airways – 65.9%
- Allegiant Air – 66.5%
- Southwest Airlines – 67.7%
August 2022 Flight Cancellations
In August 2022, reporting marketing carriers canceled 2.5% of their scheduled domestic flights, lower than the rate 3.1% in August 2021 and higher than the rate of 1.8% in pre-pandemic August 2019.
Lowest Marketing Carrier Rates of Canceled Flights August 2022
- Hawaiian Airlines – 0.1%
- Alaska Airlines Network – 0.5%
- Spirit Airlines – 0.9%
Highest Marketing Carrier Rates of Canceled Flights August 2022
- United Airlines Network – 3.6%
- American Airlines Network – 3.5%
- Southwest Airlines – 2.7%
Complaints About Airline Service
In August 2022, DOT received 7,243 complaints about airline service from consumers, up 6.0% from the 6,831 complaints received in July 2022 and up 322.8% from the 1,713 complaints received in pre-pandemic August 2019. Flight problems was the highest category of the complaints received in August 2022. Of the 7,243 complaints received, 2,321 (32.0%) concerned cancellations, delays, or other deviations from airlines’ schedules. Baggage was the second highest category of the complaints received in August 2022. Of the 7,243 complaints received, 1,675 (23.1%) concerned baggage issues. Of 1,675 baggage complaints, 1079 were against foreign air carriers (64.4%) and 596 (35.6%) were against U.S. carriers.
