How Major US Airlines Handle No-Response Support Claims A 2025 Analysis of Response Times and Resolution Rates

Post Published March 3, 2025

See how everyone can now afford to fly Business Class and book 5 Star Hotels with Mighty Travels Premium! Get started for free.


How Major US Airlines Handle No-Response Support Claims A 2025 Analysis of Response Times and Resolution Rates - United Airlines Customer Service Response Time Averages 72 Hours in 2025





For those seeking swift assistance from United Airlines in 2025, patience is paramount. The average wait for a customer service response now stretches to a considerable 72 hours. While dialing in may yield a quicker connection, potentially within a few minutes if call volumes are low, this rapid response appears to be an exception rather than the rule. Despite investments in modern conveniences such as self-service kiosks and digital boarding passes, passenger feedback paints a varied picture of support interactions, with reports ranging from pleasant to distinctly unwelcoming. As travelers increasingly expect prompt and helpful service, United's current response times may prove a sticking point in an otherwise competitive market.
In 2025, the reported average customer service response time for United Airlines stands at a concerning 72 hours. This figure points to significant pressure on their support infrastructure, likely influenced by increased passenger numbers alongside ongoing air travel complexities. For travelers, this lag means potentially lengthy waits for assistance with booking adjustments or travel hiccups. While phone support at United may offer quicker initial contact, within minutes in some cases, high demand periods can still lead to protracted hold times before speaking to an agent. It appears that despite moves to innovate, including deploying self-service options and digital boarding passes, these haven't yet translated into significantly faster personalized support when issues arise. It's also observed that while social media channels show quicker responses within a day for many inquiries, this isn't a guarantee of resolution or even a response for every query. Data suggests only around half of customer interactions are resolved to satisfaction during the first engagement, indicating possible bottlenecks or limitations in current support processes. The wider airline sector is facing similar pressures with average response times hovering in a similar multi-day range. This paints a picture of an industry grappling with support demands, even as passenger expectations for rapid assistance in travel related matters remain high.

What else is in this post?

  1. How Major US Airlines Handle No-Response Support Claims A 2025 Analysis of Response Times and Resolution Rates - United Airlines Customer Service Response Time Averages 72 Hours in 2025
  2. How Major US Airlines Handle No-Response Support Claims A 2025 Analysis of Response Times and Resolution Rates - Delta Takes First Place With 85% Resolution Rate Through New AI System
  3. How Major US Airlines Handle No-Response Support Claims A 2025 Analysis of Response Times and Resolution Rates - American Airlines Still Struggles With 6 Day Average Response Time
  4. How Major US Airlines Handle No-Response Support Claims A 2025 Analysis of Response Times and Resolution Rates - Southwest Airlines Rolls Out 24/7 Live Chat Support With 30 Minute Response Goal
  5. How Major US Airlines Handle No-Response Support Claims A 2025 Analysis of Response Times and Resolution Rates - JetBlue Creates Dedicated Team for Unresolved Claims Resolution
  6. How Major US Airlines Handle No-Response Support Claims A 2025 Analysis of Response Times and Resolution Rates - Alaska Airlines Implements 48 Hour Maximum Response Time Guarantee

How Major US Airlines Handle No-Response Support Claims A 2025 Analysis of Response Times and Resolution Rates - Delta Takes First Place With 85% Resolution Rate Through New AI System





rectangular brown wooden table,


Delta Air Lines has reportedly achieved a notable 85% success rate in resolving customer support claims, a figure attributed to their newly implemented AI system. This resolution rate stands in stark contrast to what we observe across the majority of US carriers, where satisfactory resolutions often seem to be closer to a coin flip. Delta’s system appears to be moving beyond simply reacting to customer issues; it’s being touted as a proactive tool capable of anticipating potential problems. This always-on, 24/7 capability could be a real differentiator, particularly for travelers dealing with the complexities of international time zones and disrupted schedules. It’s interesting to note that passenger preference is shifting towards digital support channels anyway, with around 70% now favoring these over traditional phone calls. Delta’s investment in AI aligns with this trend, potentially offering a more streamlined experience for tech-savvy travelers. Developing such a system wouldn’t be trivial; reports indicate a couple of years of dedicated work refining the algorithms to properly understand and process natural language customer queries. Beyond just resolving issues, it seems Delta has incorporated a feedback loop into their AI, continuously learning and adapting from user interactions. While many airlines continue to lean heavily on human agents, Delta’s bet on AI could represent a shift in how customer service is approached in this sector, and perhaps give them a competitive edge. The reported drop in average resolution times from around 72 hours to under a day is quite significant and could meaningfully improve customer satisfaction, aligning better with contemporary expectations for quick service. Furthermore, it's plausible that this automation also results in some degree of operational cost reduction, as AI handles a substantial volume of queries that would otherwise require human intervention. Ultimately, Delta’s foray into AI-driven customer service is reflective of a wider trend in the airline industry, where technology is increasingly being viewed as essential for improving both customer engagement and operational efficiency. It remains to be seen if this level of resolution can be consistently maintained, but it certainly sets a new performance benchmark for others in the industry to consider.


How Major US Airlines Handle No-Response Support Claims A 2025 Analysis of Response Times and Resolution Rates - American Airlines Still Struggles With 6 Day Average Response Time





American Airlines is still facing considerable headwinds when it comes to timely customer service, with reports showing an average six-day wait for a response. This sluggishness is becoming increasingly noticeable as other major carriers explore ways to speed up their support systems. While the airline has been busy moving large numbers of passengers and flights, these operational demands, combined with external pressures like supply chain problems and unpredictable weather, appear to be straining their ability to address customer inquiries promptly. For travelers, especially in the current environment of frequent schedule changes, this delay could mean significant uncertainty and frustration when seeking assistance. As the peak travel season approaches, American Airlines may need to urgently reconsider its approach to customer support to ensure passenger satisfaction and maintain its competitive standing within the industry. Failing to adapt to the evolving expectations for rapid service risks further eroding customer trust.



How Major US Airlines Handle No-Response Support Claims A 2025 Analysis of Response Times and Resolution Rates - Southwest Airlines Rolls Out 24/7 Live Chat Support With 30 Minute Response Goal





white round light on ceiling,

Southwest Airlines has joined the ranks of carriers now offering around-the-clock live chat for customer support, aiming to reply to inquiries within half an hour. This move is presented as an effort to improve how passengers can get assistance and quick answers. Alongside existing phone and email options, the live chat is positioned as a faster route to resolution, particularly appealing to travelers who want immediate help. In a time when getting a human on the phone often involves lengthy waits, this digital option might be seen as a welcome improvement for some. It also reflects an understanding that many passengers now expect and prefer to handle their travel issues online, rather than through older, more time-consuming methods. Whether this new service genuinely speeds things up and meets the promised response time in practice remains to be seen, but it signals an attempt to address the ever-present challenge of airline customer service in a competitive industry.
Southwest Airlines is the latest carrier to adjust its customer service approach, now offering round-the-clock live chat support with a stated aim to reply within half an hour. This is presented as a move to boost efficiency and provide quicker solutions for passenger inquiries. When considering the current landscape of US airline support – where waiting times can stretch into days as seen with some legacy carriers – a 30-minute target for initial contact seems quite ambitious. It suggests Southwest recognizes the growing need for immediacy in travel assistance.

Whether live chat will truly offer a better experience than navigating phone queues remains to be seen. Delta’s investment in AI-driven support appears to be yielding impressive resolution rates, demonstrating a more technologically advanced path. Southwest's implementation of live chat may be a more straightforward approach, possibly less costly and complex to set up than a full AI system. The effectiveness of this live chat will ultimately hinge on staffing levels and the complexity of issues agents are empowered to resolve through this channel.

A key question is how consistently this 30-minute response target will be met, especially during peak travel periods or system-wide disruptions. The demand for rapid communication is undeniable, with many passengers now favoring digital routes over phone calls. If executed well, this live chat initiative could provide a tangible improvement in customer interaction for Southwest, particularly when contrasted with the drawn-out wait times passengers often face elsewhere. It will be interesting to track how this new feature impacts their overall customer satisfaction and if this more basic digital tool can effectively compete with more sophisticated AI-driven support solutions being adopted by other major players.


How Major US Airlines Handle No-Response Support Claims A 2025 Analysis of Response Times and Resolution Rates - JetBlue Creates Dedicated Team for Unresolved Claims Resolution





JetBlue is the latest airline attempting to get a handle on passenger complaints with the establishment of a dedicated team focused specifically on unresolved claims. This move is in line with what appears to be a growing recognition across major US carriers that customer support requires more than just lip service. JetBlue already offers a 24/7 customer service phone line and promotes its mobile app as a tool for easy flight management and access to support. These features are becoming standard, however. What remains to be seen is whether this new team can truly cut through the backlog of complaints and deliver tangible improvements in how quickly and effectively passengers receive resolutions. It's worth noting that JetBlue has recently been penalized by the US Department of Transportation with a significant fine for a history of flight delays. This backdrop of operational challenges suggests that even with a dedicated claims team, JetBlue may still face an uphill battle in convincing travelers that their service experience is genuinely improving. For passengers, the proof will be in the pudding: faster responses and actual resolutions, not just announcements of new teams and initiatives.
JetBlue is the latest carrier to respond to growing pressure regarding unresolved passenger claims, forming a specialized team focused on this specific pain point


How Major US Airlines Handle No-Response Support Claims A 2025 Analysis of Response Times and Resolution Rates - Alaska Airlines Implements 48 Hour Maximum Response Time Guarantee





Alaska Airlines is now committing to respond to customer service inquiries within a maximum of 48 hours. This guarantee is presented as a direct response to increasing passenger dissatisfaction with slow or absent communication from airlines. In an industry often criticized for neglecting customer care after the booking is made, Alaska seems to be aiming to differentiate itself. This pledge to reply within two days accompanies their existing 20-minute baggage promise, suggesting a broader strategy to emphasize efficiency and reliability in customer interactions. Whether this response time pledge genuinely improves the traveler experience remains to be observed, but it stands as a clear statement of intent within an industry grappling with how best to manage customer support in 2025.
Alaska Airlines is now making a noteworthy pledge to its customers, promising to respond to support inquiries within a maximum of 48 hours. In an industry where waiting for airline assistance can often feel like an exercise in indefinite patience, this commitment signals a potential shift in service standards. It's presented as a deliberate effort to prioritize clear and prompt communication with passengers. This move prompts observation of whether this guarantee genuinely translates to improved experiences, or if it's primarily a marketing tactic in a sector known for variable customer service levels. The broader trend across US airlines is clearly towards acknowledging the necessity of better support, particularly as passenger volumes continue to climb and travel complexities persist. Alaska's initiative will likely be watched closely to see if it sets a new benchmark, compelling other carriers to similarly accelerate their response times, or if it proves to be another aspirational goal that struggles against the practicalities of airline operations. Time will tell if this commitment effectively addresses the widespread frustration surrounding slow airline support, or if it's merely a superficial change in a deeper systemic issue.

See how everyone can now afford to fly Business Class and book 5 Star Hotels with Mighty Travels Premium! Get started for free.