Denver-based Frontier Airlines had most complaints of top U.S. airlines for third year

For the third year in a row Denver-based Frontier Airlines was the subject of the majority of complaints filed against U S airlines in according to a new account A record-breaking complaints were filed against U S airlines in according to a statement from the Colorado Populace Interest Research Group Frontier Airlines had nearly double the number of complaints per passengers as Spirit which came in second last year and more than triple the average across the largest U S airlines the description stated The Denver-based airline was also among the top for flight cancellations delays mishandled wheelchairs and involuntarily bumped passengers the analysis stated Frontier did not respond to multiple requests for comment Courtesy of the Colorado Constituents Interest Research Group Complaints against U S airlines jumped across the board between and more than double the increase in passengers according to the CoPIRG statement which uses U S Department of Transportation information Last year was the fourth time in the last five years that complaints hit new highs the document stated Complaints briefly dipped in but have increased each year since Southwest Airlines had the lowest complaint-to-passenger ratio last year followed by Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines the CoPIRG summary stated The records the DOT circulated last month doesn t include the detail of years past which broke down complaints by type CoPIRG administrators stated in the description The DOT says the avalanche of complaints makes it impossible for staff to keep up with processing even with help from artificial intelligence The Federal Aviation Administration and DOT did not respond to requests for comment CoPIRG agents revealed the the majority common complaints in previous years included issues with refunds cancellations and delays baggage and wheelchairs reservations fares customer system and disability access In Roughly of flights arrived on time across all U S Airlines About million flights were delayed out of the million scheduled for the U S s top airlines making the second-worst year for on-time flights in the last decade Canceled flights grew to from in CoPIRG analysts declared that remains below historic levels but the small percentage difference still accounts for thousands of canceled flights About million checked bags and wheelchairs or scooters were lost delayed or damaged The number of travelers bumped involuntarily from their flights dropped coming in at a rate of per passengers boarded on the top airlines Airlines experienced tarmac delays of three hours or more on domestic flights That s the the majority delays since the Tarmac Delay Rule took effect in allowing airlines to be fined up to per customer if a domestic flight remains on the tarmac for more than three hours without deplaning Related Articles Nearly flights delayed a dozen canceled at DIA during Sunday storms At least dead in crashes across Denver including hit-and-runs Colfax Marathon is this weekend here s how to avoid road closures Winter Park Express ski train use has doubled thanks to lower fares expanded schedule Westbound I- reopens near Vail after crash Selected of the largest airlines are planning to cut the number of flights in the months ahead which could upshot in extra-crowded cabins and airports more missed connections and another record year for complaints in the CoPIRG record stated It s more crucial than ever that travelers plan ahead take attempts to protect themselves and know their rights if something goes wrong Danny Katz executive director for CoPIRG Foundation mentioned in a declaration We all need to continue to push the airlines regulators and lawmakers to do more to protect us Get more Colorado news by signing up for our daily Your Morning Dozen email newsletter