Subject: Formal Complaint: Discriminatory and Unprofessional Conduct – Request for Immediate Action & Compensation Dear [Airline Customer Relations Team], I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding my recent travel experience with [Airline], which was by far the worst I have ever encountered. What occurred was not only unprofessional, but in several instances discriminatory, unsafe, and unacceptable. On the first leg of my trip, I arrived only four minutes past check-in. Instead of making any attempt to resolve the matter, your representative flatly denied me boarding and made me wait while she attended to passengers who arrived after me. By the time a manager intervened, it was too late to board, costing me time, money, and unnecessary frustration. The second leg of my trip (Chicago–San Francisco) raised even more serious concerns. From the outset, it was apparent that the staff—particularly two attendants—prioritized Caucasian passengers while dismissing African American and minority passengers. • When a Caucasian passenger in the exit row refused to comply with federal safety requirements, I, as a first responder, immediately offered to switch seats and assume the responsibility. My offer was blatantly ignored, and instead, a Caucasian passenger seated further up was chosen. This was discriminatory and deeply insulting, especially as I was actively de-escalating the situation that could have delayed the flight further. • During a lengthy tarmac delay of over 90 minutes, passengers were given conflicting and unreasonable instructions that created unnecessary distress and tension. • Throughout the flight, a visibly intoxicated passenger directly in front of me was disruptive, rude to others, failed to comply with seatbelt and electronic device rules, and yet faced no enforcement from the crew. In stark contrast, I was singled out for repeated compliance checks even though I was following every rule. This unequal treatment was so obvious that multiple passengers around me spoke up in my defense. This pattern of behavior demonstrated a clear lack of professionalism, disregard for passenger safety, and discriminatory treatment. I expect far better from an airline of your stature. As a paying customer subjected to this unacceptable treatment, I am formally requesting: 1. A full investigation into the conduct of the staff on both flights. 2. A written apology acknowledging the discriminatory and unprofessional behavior I endured. 3. Appropriate compensation for the distress, inconvenience, and mishandling of my travel. If this matter is not addressed promptly and thoroughly, I will have no choice but to escalate my complaint further, including filing with the U.S. Department of Transportation and sharing my experience through other channels. I trust [Airline] will take this complaint seriously and provide a timely resolution.
2.0 MediocreAnonymous, Sep 2025ORD - SFO
Subject: Formal Complaint: Discriminatory and Unprofessional Conduct – Request for Immediate Action & Compensation Dear [Airline Customer Relations Team], I am writing to file a formal complaint regarding my recent travel experience with [Airline], which was by far the worst I have ever encountered. What occurred was not only unprofessional, but in several instances discriminatory, unsafe, and unacceptable. On the first leg of my trip, I arrived only four minutes past check-in. Instead of making any attempt to resolve the matter, your representative flatly denied me boarding and made me wait while she attended to passengers who arrived after me. By the time a manager intervened, it was too late to board, costing me time, money, and unnecessary frustration. The second leg of my trip (Chicago–San Francisco) raised even more serious concerns. From the outset, it was apparent that the staff—particularly two attendants—prioritized Caucasian passengers while dismissing African American and minority passengers. • When a Caucasian passenger in the exit row refused to comply with federal safety requirements, I, as a first responder, immediately offered to switch seats and assume the responsibility. My offer was blatantly ignored, and instead, a Caucasian passenger seated further up was chosen. This was discriminatory and deeply insulting, especially as I was actively de-escalating the situation that could have delayed the flight further. • During a lengthy tarmac delay of over 90 minutes, passengers were given conflicting and unreasonable instructions that created unnecessary distress and tension. • Throughout the flight, a visibly intoxicated passenger directly in front of me was disruptive, rude to others, failed to comply with seatbelt and electronic device rules, and yet faced no enforcement from the crew. In stark contrast, I was singled out for repeated compliance checks even though I was following every rule. This unequal treatment was so obvious that multiple passengers around me spoke up in my defense. This pattern of behavior demonstrated a clear lack of professionalism, disregard for passenger safety, and discriminatory treatment. I expect far better from an airline of your stature. As a paying customer subjected to this unacceptable treatment, I am formally requesting: 1. A full investigation into the conduct of the staff on both flights. 2. A written apology acknowledging the discriminatory and unprofessional behavior I endured. 3. Appropriate compensation for the distress, inconvenience, and mishandling of my travel. If this matter is not addressed promptly and thoroughly, I will have no choice but to escalate my complaint further, including filing with the U.S. Department of Transportation and sharing my experience through other channels. I trust [Airline] will take this complaint seriously and provide a timely resolution.
Could have said yes to a glass of wine 🍷 instead of saying we'll come around in a couple of hours
I was in first class. The outlets at my seat did not work. The plane was shabby and run down. I had prepurchsed a day subscription for internet that was not redeemable. I had to repurchase the internet for my flight and then it didn’t work anyway. Quite disappointed in what was supposed to be the launch of a great vacation.
Check in was quick and easy during early hours. Flight was on time, and customer services was a plus.
Flight was delayed for 5 hours because crew didn’t have enough time to rest - this seems like it could have been avoided with better scheduling. Food was not good.
I understand that the food on the airplane wouldn’t be fantastic. However, it wasn’t good at all. 😭
Terrible. They wouldn't allow me on my flight on the 14th..
The newer screen was super cool and had the option to watch many different shows or movies. Crew was polite and helpful. However again, many children screaming bloody murder and kicking my seat, and parents doing nothing about it as usual.
Flight was good and crew was super polite. However, there were around 5 kids screaming the WHOLE 2 hours. I understand kids have to come but parents need to do something to control their children. They make the experience terrible, especially after finishing 16 hour shifts at the hospital I needed some sleep, which I did not get.
IAD with the archaic people movers is just a place to be avoided.
Very crowded flight but what can you expect these days?? Crew was accommodating.
Small outdated plane from Philly to Des Moines with very uncomfortable seats. The plane was old, so we had mechanical issues that delayed us for 3 hours with very little communication. It was a very unpleasant experience and I will try to never fly AA again.
The seats in economy were appeared to be quite thin and lack sufficient cushioning to be comfortable. Perhaps it was my seating position but the plane seemed notably load.
Internet was a bit expensive and did not work ask that week otherwise a good flight
They don't make it easy or promote their food options. Dirty plane. Delayed.
International baggage recheck process in Philadelphia was a disaster. Waited 1 hour and 45 minutes to receive our bags. Waited 15 minutes to recheck bags, flight notification boards were blank so we asked an AA representative for our connecting gate and we were directed to the wrong terminal and gate. Our connection window was over 3 hours and we made our flight by 5 minutes. We pulled away from the gate and sat on the runway for 1 1/2 hours. 1 of our 4 bags didn’t make it to Phoenix. The mobile app for lost baggage didn’t work, the AA rep had to manually fix.
I miss my flight and they could not rebook me that day because the other flight was full, and for the next day I had to pay a whole new fee again which I think is unprofessional
The flight had a delay that made me being in a real rush to take the second flight. The delay was almost for 2 hours. They moved us from gate to gate in 4 times. Once I arrived to Philadelphia, I got to run thorough all the airport, as the train was already closed by that time. So I got sick with asthma for all the running I had to do. And I was the last one to board, when it was almost closed. So irresponsable with the people
The plane was probably full boarding was easy. We were able to check our carry-on luggage for free. It was a return flight through Philly to LA. Never saw a stewardess do a demonstration of emergency Procedures. I think my flight was pretty full
Overall, a good experience. The food, however, was subpar. The breakfast was a joke.
It was perfect. The service was exceptional. I would never want to cross the Atlantic in anyone else's sardine tins.
As I have said it sucked, the ticket counter to have to find and pay for another airline to get home. Now I understand this happened over the weekend but they should have someone there to talk to us instead of throwing the regular crew under the bus.
Everything excellent except for bag drop off. We started at the D area and that was so slow that it was eventually closed just as we were about to go to a station. We then went to F. We got one suitcase checked and then the screen showed that the station was no longer operable. There were long lines everywhere so we had to ask if we could butt in to the next station to finish. Again, this was the only incident, otherwise it was an excellent flying experience
Adequate to good experience. Comfort was mediocre but everything else was good..
Poor all around experience. Sat at gate in Grand Rapids to Chicago for 2.5 hours. No food or water offered and no allowances to use restroom. Missed connecting flight to London and not offered any compensation including food or lodging. Not happy with AA, claims delay was weather related but no weather issues seen on radar. Take ownership for real reason behind delay which was actually the IT outage. Very disappointing and will not be recommending AA for domestic or international flights if this is the way that customers are treated.
Flight cancelled, lost luggage, crappy meal voucher. Nothing was good. Still dont have my luggage.
what would have been better would have been that my booking not been canceled by the system and had I been informed that the booking had been cancelled by the system I could have immediately rebooked and not found out that there was an issue when I was told by the system that I needed to book in. It would have also been good if either the booking agent or BA or anyone been in anyway useful. In the end I had to rebook a flight at an additional cost of $350. So no I'm not impressed by BA any of the other parties involved.
Boarding was poor. Why are first class passengers not boarded first?! Bus to the plane and then held on a packed bus because we were waiting for people on the bus before to finish boarding. Seat belt on the fist clas seat is very uncomfortable, cutting into your neck. Other than that crew, seating and food were all excellent. Entertainment, as usual - rubbish.
I paid for full WIFI- it was terrible, kept being in and out could not listen to a podcast
Flight was delayed but my previous flight was as well so It worked to my advantage. This was my first time in first class. I don't think they ever stopped feeding us. The seating area was very spacious and comfortable. The attendants were wonderful, warm, friendly and very personable.
