Passenger complaints about airline travel surged in 2023

U.S. Transportation Department officials last year were up to their necks in complaints submitted by air travelers over everything from delays and cancellations to accommodations for disabled passengers.   

The agency reported on Friday that it received nearly 97,000 submissions in 2023, 91% of which were complaints. That's up from about 86,000 total submissions, including complaints, inquiries and opinions in 2022. 

The department said there was such a high volume of consumer grievances filed against airlines and ticket agents last year that it took until this month to sort through the filing and compile final figures.