Flight delays, rude staff, uncomfortable seats, and worst of all… lost bags. The list of things that can go wrong on a holiday is unfortunately quite long.

Some holiday disruptions such as flight delays and unclean cabins, can feel as though they’re out of our control but when you take a step back, you’ll see there’s little things we are travellers can do, to avoid ending up in some of the most complained about travel situations.  

Customer service company, Superstaff Outsourcing, has compiled a list of the top complaints airlines receive from their customers, and we’ve come up with a plan to help you avoid experiencing them!

Complaint #7: Refund difficulties and inflexible T&Cs 

Ahhhhh yes. Trying to get a refund from an airline or working around their terms and conditions is like trying to pull out a healthy tooth – painful and the last thing you ever want to do. 

Fortunately, there’s an easy solution to this one.

Solution: Book with a travel agent! They’ve spent years dealing with, and working with airlines, so they know the ins and outs of flight conditions, and can contact airline representatives with more ease than travellers.  

Complaint #6: Unclean cabins 

In a post-COVID world, cleanliness is top-of-mind for most people, particularly those boarding a plane. So it should come as no surprise that ‘unclean cabins’ has become a top complaint amongst air passengers in recent years. 

Solution: While this may feel completely out of your control, there is something you can do to avoid experiencing an unclean cabin – notify cabin staff. Instead of sitting there stewing in discomfort, politely advise cabin staff of the mess. You’ll usually find that the crew will do their best to ensure your comfort and a pleasant flight experience.

Complaint #5: Poor customer service 

To be fair, this one can experienced on and off a holiday. Sometimes people are just having a bad day and that unfortunately, their anger is redirect onto you, the traveller. 

Equally as frustrating is when airline representatives are unavailable to discuss changes to the itinerary or answer question, or they simply can’t be contacted. 

Solution: Head to the airport and track down customer support in person. Most airlines will have a customer support desk or check-in area at the airport, where you can discuss flight issues or concerns in person. Unfortunately, this isn’t helpful if you’re trying to track an airline representative post-flight, in which case, a travel agent may have better access to the airline than you, the customer. 

Complaint #4: Hidden charges 

An extra surcharge here, a non-disclosed tax there. Hidden charges are a top customer airline complaint because they often leave travellers feeling misled and ripped off.  

Solution: It sounds obvious, but again book via a travel agent. As travel industry professionals, they know how to read the fine print of travel documents, and are thoroughly familiar with them, and are in the best position to advise you on any extra charges along the way. 

Complaint #3: Poor seating 

Let’s be honest, unless you’re flying First, Business Class or eevn Premium Economy, airplane seats an be less than comfortable, especially on long flights. They’re small, narrow, hard and there’s barely any distance between you and other passengers. And let’s not start with the reclining… 

Even worse, is when the seats are located near the toilets or by the galley, where it’s noisiest and various smells waft in and out, disrupting your flying experience. AND when you’re squished in the middle seat, between two complete strangers. 

Solution: Fortunately, there’s an easy solution to avoid this common customer airline complaint. Book your seat in advance! 

Most airlines have the option of pre-selecting your seat during the booking-process and in many cases, in the lead up to the actual flight. While it’s an extra cost, it’s well worth the spend knowing you’ll have you’re preferred seat sorted for your journey.

Complaint #2: Delayed or cancelled flights 

There are things in life that simply can’t be controlled, and flight cancellations/delays are among them. One small change to the flight schedule could mean a complete shift to your travel plans, and leave you scrambling to readjust bookings or worse, recoup your on-the-ground losses.

Solution: Book with a travel agent. It may sound and feel a little old school but having a travel agent on your side can take away the stress of having to rebook all your travel. While you’re making up lost time on a rescheduled flight, they’re working hard to readjust all your plans and ensure you can step into holiday-mode the moment you touch down. Also, ensure you have travel insurance.

Complaint #1: Lost baggage 

No surprise here. While it may not be the worst thing that could happen in life, it’s certainly not a great way to start (or end) a holiday.

Losing your checked baggage means losing some of your favourite possessions and spending a chunk your trip trying to re-equip yourself with travel essentials. Aside from being completely unnecessary, a misplaced bag is highly irritating and could sour what was meant to be a completely relaxing getaway. 

Solution: Airlines do their best to manage and track the bags that come into their care but it doesn’t always work out. These days however, travellers can track their own bags from their own mobile phones with air tags. They’re small, they’re light and they could save your holiday. And once again, ensure you have travel insurance before jumping on your flight.