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United Airlines

2.0
228 complaints

Address

77 W. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL, 60601

United Airlines faces significant operational and customer service challenges, with flight delays/cancellations, rude staff interactions, excessive baggage fees, and pricing discrepancies being the dominant complaint categories. Customers consistently report poor accessibility support, long wait times, and a lack of proactive communication during disruptions.

Common Issues

28% (64)
delayedcancelledpostponed
22% (50)
rude employeeunprofessionalunhelpful
18% (41)
carry-on chargechecked baggage feelost luggage
14% (32)
price increaseunauthorized chargehidden fees
12% (27)
long hold timesno assistanceunable to reach

Complaints

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Joycelynn F. Rivera

Mar 31, 2016

As of March 26, 2016 Flight NO.

UA383 on Route From HNL - DEN Board Time 1855hrs Departs: 1945hrs Seat NO.

38C Aisle As I was just about to take my seat the passenger on 38D spilled his whole drink on my chair and I had informed the flight attendant Mr.

Ed that my seat was soaking wet, due to the other passenger spilling his fountain drink on my seat, "He then, the flight attendant told me to just sit on the wet seat" because there was no other seats available.

I Was Very uncomfortable I assumed that he would assist me to another seat I strongly feel that was so unfair due to me being a loyal paying customer for United Airlines I was not treated well on that flight.

My husband even informed him what as his plan, but the flight attendant said Sorry there are no other seats available.…

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Samual Medina

Mar 30, 2016

My Son had a connecting flight from Denver to Memphis.

When he arrived in Denver his flight had already left.

He had to sit in the airport for approximately 17 hours.

With no food or a place to rest he went to the customer service and explained that he had no money to eat and was extremely tiered from the trip and they told him there was nothing they could do for him!!

This is unacceptable from ay reputable airline!

We have traveled not only with your airlines but others as well and have never experienced anything like this.

We pay for our flights and trust that we are in good hands when we travel with United, this was a horrible and unacceptable experience.

Customer service was saying they couldn't control weather or mechanical issues, we understand that but this was neither.

The…

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Eddie Johnson

Mar 28, 2016

On the 24th of March I had a flight to leave out of DIA to DFW, up arriving to DIA to check in my bags to one of your baggage claim agent at the counter.

Well the first thing that I notice he was really upset and had a nasty attitude with me, but that was ok.

I told him my name and my destination on where I was traveling to, he check all of what he needed and got my baggage sticker to place on my luggage bag, notice he was still upset and rude as he place the sticker on my luggage bag and just place it behind him behind him beside the conveyor not on top.

As I walk away I took another glance back to see if had place it on top but it was still there beside the conveyor.

After arriving at DFW to claim my bag I notice that everyone else had there luggage except mines, 25 min later went to…

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Dorothy P. Smith

Mar 14, 2016

In early December I contacted Mileage Plus to ask if we could use our mileage for a round trip ticket to Tucson AZ.

A very nice man made all the arrangements.

We use United Airlines regularly, but had never used our mileage because we weren't sure how to do so.

The man was so kind and fixed us up with roundtrip tickets from Chicago to Tucson.

He said we would receive confirmation with our confirmation number and our seat assignments.

He said there would be two different confirmation numbers since we were each using our own mileage plus numbers.

That turned out to be so and the cost for the extra miles and the call center fee were charged to my credit card and paid by me.

Tomorrow we leave so today I tried to print our boarding passes.

Mine printed, but my husband's did not although…

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Roger Bryan Bocus

Feb 18, 2016

Here is my complaint to the United Airlines Customer Services Manager.

HC4LT9.

I am a business man who travels regularly.

Timing is very important to my business for schedule meetings and my customers contact and business.

I was scheduled to fly from DCA to IAH to POS on the 15/02/2016.

Your airplane was already taxing when encountered a maintenance (Computer) problem.

We all sat on this plane for a period of over 3 hours (that was disgusting).

We were finally returned to the gate and left for Houston not until 1:30pm arriving after 4:00 pm missing my connection to POS.

You customer care personal was not so caring after being told there was no accommodation for the group of us now stranded.

After a loud out-bust by some of the customers one of your agent contacted Washington to…

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Paul Tuts

Feb 10, 2016

My United complaint is about the in-flight entertainment system.

Problem started already in Chicago, after numerous attempts to start safety in-flight video there was only sound no video so cabin crew performed safety demonstrations the old way with safety belt etc. which was OK.

Problem also during the more then 8 hour flight to Brussels the entertainment system did not function and would like to be compensated for this shortcoming for both myself and my wife.

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Denise Baginski

Feb 7, 2016

Wasn't notified on my cell # flight 1484 was delayed-went to the airport and waited-originally was scheduled to depart POP at 3:05 and didn't leave until 4:40 PM - Then was told flight would then stop in Washington Dulles for a flight crew change?

Then mid flight was told by Captain that air traffic control advised him that we could fly directly into Newark arriving around 7:10 PM instead of original 6:00 PM arrival time, then about 1/2 hour later captain informs us that he was advised that we would again have to redirect flight into Washington Dulles, much surprise again to many unhappy passengers.

After touching down in Dulles were told to remain seated for about 40 minutes due to flight crew change and no service at all was given, had to actually ask for water quietly since was told…

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Ye WU

Feb 7, 2016

Dear United Customer Complaint Department.

My name is Ye and my MileagePlus number is UJ754681.

My flight (Confirmation: ER005G; eTicket Number: 0162458166043) from Tel Aviv, Israel to Shanghai, China on the Oct 5th, 2015 was somewhat of a disappointment.

This trip contain three flight as following and I booked this flight by using MileagePlus points:

- Tel Aviv, Israel to Athens, Greece - Athens, Greece to Munich, Germany - Munich, Germany to Shanghai China

After I have arrived Athens, the visa officer from Greece raise questions on my flight due to multiple transitions and eventually cost me missed the flight from Athens to Munich and Munich to Shanghai.

At the end, I have to purchase separate flight ticket from Athens to Shanghai.

I have contacted the customer representative on…

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cori henderson

Jan 31, 2016

After calling to book my husbands ticket back to north Dakota, where he works.

I have been hung up on 2x, not only can you not understand the Indonesian people your speaking to.

But they could not understand me.

On hold once again. going on 30 min with United Airlines customer service.

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Martin Zorrilla

Jan 13, 2016

We are Martin Zorrilla and Angelica Osorio, who have an unfortunate experience travelling on board United Airlines , this Jan, 11.

Let me begin saying that we are two Colombian students at Purdue (West Lafayette) with a very small budget, so we planned our trip sufficiently in advance to save costs.

For our initial journey, we purchased the tickets 0167594070791 and 792, eight months earlier, expecting to arrive to Chicago in the afternoon and get the shuttle to West Lafayette, Indiana.

Unfortunately, the flight UA 1069 (9:48) from Bogota to Newark was delayed 1 hour 40 minutes due to a poor planning on the Weight and Balance procedure so this happening affected our whole trip.

With just one hour to our next flight and regardless of any consideration other than a simple request to the…

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Qamar Zia

Jan 4, 2016

We both were supposed to travel under above PNR numbers on UA3928 / 28 Dec 15.

The flight was cancelled and no one notified us of that.

I luckily checked on website and found the flight is cancelled.

Contacted the united Airline booking office.

They book me from OKC.

DEN.

YYC.

I have to take a taxi from Tulsa to Oklahoma Airport and reached at 4AM to catch the flight.

Again there the the flight was delayed there for approx 2 hours and miss the connection to YYC.

At DEN.

I have to be in queue for 1 hour to get me and myself rebooked.

We were booked for another flight which was again delayed and I could not reach on my job that day resulted in loose my pay for that day and beside that I have to give explain action to my employer.

In total we both loose approx $900.

00 for this…

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David

Jan 3, 2016

I and my wife were first class customers on your flight UA1162P on 12/19/15 (BQN to EWR-LIBERTY).

We were not offered any kind of food or drink on this flight.

We had to "ask" for coffee.

My wife also requested a pillow and was told that none were available.

We asked about the food situation, we were advised by the flight attendants that there was not enough time to stock the returning flight with food and none was available.

Our ticket itinerary showed "meal".

We feel that the service we received was below the expected first class expectations that we had received on previous first class accommodations.

We paid an excess amount of money for this flight and we received less than coach service and we feel that we should receive compensation for the poor service given. one star given…

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Daniela Vargas

Dec 30, 2015

2 of my family members and I, were supposed to fly from NEWARK Airport to DULLES in Washington DC, to catch a plane there to SAN JOSE, Costa Rica.

The flight to DULLES was delayed, which made it impossible for us to catch the connecting plane to Costa Rica.

I made a huge line to ask the lady in charge of my boarding gate what to do, because we weren't going to make it on time to board the plane in DULLES.

The lady never got to me before they ended the boarding there, I had to interrupt her to get an answer from her which didn't even make sense.

She told me to go to the customer service.

I went and made another hour and 1/2 of angry people line there, and when I finally got to the end, the guy told us that the only option for us was to wait until FRIDAY 01/01/16 (Today being WEDNESDAY…

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Donna L Cookson

Dec 23, 2015

Flight UA986, Gate 43 Seat 38J CDC-ORD Paris to Chicago Gate 43 Time 11:40 am.

I am a retied 71 year old female professional.

My seat was at the rear of the airplane therefore I waited to board.

The incident happen while trying to get to my seat.

The incident was with a male flight attendant.

He as heavy set, reddish/blond hair, working I think in first class.

He was working the left side of the plane as you board.

While boarding I observed first class relaxing and enjoying there drinks.

The attendant was ahead of me coming toward me.

He was very agitated and made it obvious he was not happy.

I continued toward my seat, but there was a newspaper card in my way. (Perhaps he was trying to give out newspapers?)

This attendant came up behind me, took my right arm, lifted my arm and…

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Howard

Dec 22, 2015

Your baggage claim services Dept. has not been cooperative and has been giving me wrong information.

When I try to fax them important info., they do not give me an email No. or physical address, The fax No. they have givwn me is either wrong or the traffic is so heavy that I cannot get through.

Even when I write to you, I do not receive any answer.

Is anybody out there?

You would ;never be able to discourage me with the tactics you are using.

I am HERE.

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Jeremy Schureger

Dec 5, 2015

To United Airlines corporate offices.

Here is my complaint.

My name is Patricia Moore and I've been a long-time, loyal United customer.

It was with excitement, that my husband, Jeremy Schurger, and I booked a trip to New Orleans on October 31st, 2015, 6 months in advance with 10 of our friends.

We had group outings planned for Halloween and spent a good amount of money on elaborate costumes.

However, these plans were disrupted on that day.

After checking in our bags, we proceeded to our gate in Terminal A.

We met all of our friends and proceeded to the gate for boarding.

At this point, my husband and I were randomly told to step aside, that there was a weight restriction, and we were the last to check-in, so we could not get on the flight.

A flight that was booked and confirmed 6…

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Elma V. Carino

Dec 2, 2015

On 11/24/15 I summit a complain about my flight #UA1921S from Houston to Orlando.

On 11/25/15 at 5:49 p.m.

I received a call from Daniel from Customer Care, he left a message, I called him back same day at 1-800-864-8331 but, I got a answering machine.

On 11/01/15 I called Customer Care and I left a message and I been calling every day and leaving messages with all my information for them to call me but, nobody call yet.

On 11/30/15 I called 1800-241-6522 and explain the issue to the clerk, and He said that there is no way to transfer my phone call to talk with a Supervisor at Customer Care.

This is unacceptable and very poor service from United Airlines.

I repeat nobody call me as of today from Customer Care.

Sir, please provide me the address for American Airlines Corporate Office…

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Susan Krocian

Dec 1, 2015

I am filing a complaint our flight home was horrible worst flight I have ever been on, we were traveling with 6 in our part 2 adults and 4 kids. to start the boarding was so unorganized and took forever, when we got on the plan it was dirty, then we sat and and the kids and stuff get ready to watch tv, 3 out of the 4 kids plus my tv was not working either from the tv view or from the sound, we advised the stewards which got us nowhere we waited for them to come over once they did they said they have no idea what the problem could be and that we would have to deal with it, first of all that isn't a very nice response they should have at least tried to help us.

We were trying to keep them occupied, when the snacks were supposed t be handed out they went right by our isle, lucky we got…

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Gregory Culver

Nov 30, 2015

On Aug 25, 2015, My Fiance Lindsay Wartzok, Ticket #02777104958994, book this flight out of OHare.

Upon check in, we both noticed that out seats were not together.

Matter of Fact they were not even close.

Her seat upon Check in 37, mine was 24.

Which we both thought was stupid, and ridiculous.

In order for us to sit together, we HAD to purchase upgraded seats at 63.

48 ea.

I was pissed, then had to pay $25 for ea piece of luggage.

That was almost $200 out of pocket expenses that should not have been.

I flown United for over 20 years, and this is the first time I have had to purchase upgraded seats to sit next to my loved one.

My thought was, what is if this was a family of 4.

That would be an extra $400 even before vacation.

Not only is this a way for United to make more money,…

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Bernard Cohen

Nov 28, 2015

When I ask one of the attendant, at the boarding of flight 453 to Atlanta, boarding at 12:40, about my minor niece.

I was told she was to remain on line and board with the rest of group 3.

I was told she was not a minor.

Maybe, she stated", she was not a minor, because of her size.

Then she stated" did she fill out a minor's form.

Well, she came from Atlanta with much more, or, should I say with much more respect.

She maybe big, but she is a minor.

Who ever that was to say, she was not a minor and did she fill out a minor's form was very rude and disrespectful.

I just want United Airline to make sure that people be treated with respect, even if a minor look like an adult, she still a minor.

I just want some one in charge to know what happen, so that they can investigate into the…

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deborah and donald maher

Nov 28, 2015

On November 26th 2015 we were in Liberia Costa Rica leaving and going to our home town to Norfolk Va, as were getting our tickets the united employee forgot to give us our third ticket to final Norfolk, Mr Maher had to go back to ticket booth and tell him the mistake he made.

After that as were in Houston TX we went to gate and asked the guy there who checked our info and he said your at wrong gate go to the other one as we got there the flight was on time as we give the united ticket lady at gate our tickets she scanned them and the flight attendant told everyone that we had booked flight.

When we were in Houston the guy at gate sent us top wrong gate and on our ticket had no gate number that's why we asked him he checked his computer but why did our ticket scan go threw even manager at…

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Dennis

Nov 27, 2015

Me and my wife was catching a flight UA1764 from Orland to Newark 3.

30 on the 25.

11.

15 to catch a flight to London-Heathrow.

We got the on plane and as we was about to move away from terminal the captain said there was something wrong with the baggage door, after about half an hour we were told to take our small hand baggage and go back to the terminal as the plane needed to be pressurized, after another half hour we were told to collect all our hand baggage from plane as it would not be flying.

This meant we would miss our connection at Newark, we were then told to go to gate 48 to fly to Newark and then fly to Heathrow the next day at 7pm as this was no longer an option for us as we had family commitments.

So my wife asked if we could get another flight, after an hour we was…

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Elma Vielka Carino

Nov 24, 2015

On 11/22/15 on Fight #UA1921 from Houston to Orlando Fl. it was the worst flight I ever had.

I got a broken ankle, I got a CAM Walker Boot; I was flying on First Class, sit 4E and I need to be comfortable due to my leg condition; the gentleman sat besides me was so "drunk" that I can smell his alcohol breath, he was heavy breathing, mumbling and talking to himself.

I was reading a book and in two occasions the touched my arms to ask me: if I was going on vacations to Orlando, and if my book was good?

I try to be polite and replied in a nice manner because, I noticed he was "very drunk".

He went to the bathroom and I told the Flight attendant about the incident, that He was drunk and that I don't know how to handle it.

She stayed that she will talk to him.

The Captain call me up front…

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James B.

Nov 24, 2015

We were to fly out on flight #UA220 @ 5:06 pm 11/18/15 out of Pittsburgh.

There were no weather issues whatsoever and we didn't leave Pittsburgh until 9pm that evening.

Missed our connecting flight in Chicago to Phoenix flight #UA483 because they left without us!

That is not my fault it is United's fault!

We were told we could catch the 8:30 pm flight the following day!

Then we got rerouted to LAX flight #UA1655 arriving 2:30 am eastern time!

Then we had to sleep on a bench seat in LAX airport because we had a 6:25 am flight #UA6526 to get to Phoenix!

This was the only way to make our Thursday itinerary work for the golf we prepaid $207 per person for at Desert Mountain with a 24 hour in advance cancellation policy.

Which cost us $414!

The idiots that rerouted us didn't reroute…

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Sharaya Thompson

Nov 24, 2015

On November 23rd, 2015 I called into United airlines and spoke with a gentleman who was very dry and seemed to not really care about my situation.

I was unable to get his name and later found out this is how all of United Airlines representatives demeanor is.

The gentleman informed me that my ticket from 11/13 had been voided and he would send me a document by email stating so.

He told me to wait 3 minutes although it never came.

I called back and spoke with another representative who placed me on hold after I told her I needed that same document sent by email to provided to my bank so they can release the money back to my account.

That representative placed me on hold for 24minutes and never checked back in after she said she would do research.

I disconnected the call.

I called…

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