With the holiday travel season kicking off, domestic travel is expected to exceed pre-pandemic levels. In fact, this year’s Thanksgiving travel period is supposed to be the busiest in 18 years, according to Airlines for America, a trade group that represents the major U.S. airlines.
And while carriers have largely recovered from the operational issues that marked travel for the last two years, it’s always possible for something to go wrong — especially during the holidays.
With that in mind, you should be equipped with the best practices for reaching airline customer service if something goes awry on your journey.
Though you may have reverted to X, formerly known as Twitter, direct messages to reach airlines in the past, some airlines, including Air France and KLM, have recently decided to eliminate customer service assistance via the social media platform, instead directing customers to other avenues. Imposter accounts posing as airlines have also increasingly cropped up on the platform, eager to steal travelers’ personal information or money.
Although you can still reach out to some airlines via X, this may be the time to brush up on how to quickly get through to an airline customer service agent to get your derailed trip back on track. If you do decide to use X to reach out to an airline, make sure the account is verified — all the major U.S. airlines have a gold check on their X accounts.
If you don’t want to use X, here are some ways to bypass the labyrinth of automated phone menus and reach an actual human to resolve your issue.
General tips for reaching airline customer service
While each system is a bit different, here are some general tips to get help from the airline faster.
Automated phone systems are more prevalent than ever
When asked to select a number for a given option based on the specific request you’re calling about, trying to skip these automated menus by saying “agent” (or any other response) can make your call longer.
Instead, slowly and clearly say a general sentence about why you’re calling so you can be placed in the proper queue.
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When in doubt, say ‘existing reservation’
If you tell the automated system that you already have a reservation, you’ll sometimes end up at a customer service representative faster than had you called to make a new reservation.
Politeness and kindness go a long way
Although you’re likely frustrated if you’re attempting to reach customer service, remember that the phone agent with whom you’re speaking likely was not responsible for delaying your flight or the hold time to get through. Imagine yourself on the other side of the phone fielding dozens of calls like yours when a big delay is ravaging the calculated plans of hundreds of irate travelers.
Most of the people calling airline customer service aren’t singing the praises of the airline. However, maintaining a level head and being respectful can make a difference in resolving your situation.
Try to avoid calling on the go
You don’t want to be approaching the end of a complicated story only to either lose the call or have a phone agent miss the majority of what you’re saying. When possible, make sure your connection is solid and your phone battery is charged before calling customer service.
Enter your frequent flyer number if prompted
Being a member of an airline’s loyalty program can only help to reach an agent faster. This doesn’t apply across the board, but entering (or speaking) your number certainly doesn’t hurt if given the chance. Sometimes, those with higher tier status even have a separate phone line to use, so look on your membership card if you have one.
Try calling the local phone number
If you’re trying to get in touch with an international airline, consider calling its home phone line.
For example, try calling the French line for Air France or the German line for Lufthansa. Oftentimes, these call centers have an English option and may get you in touch faster than using a U.S. phone number, which may have fewer staff members.
Another pro tip: Call these numbers via Skype to avoid international phone charges if that’s an issue.
How to contact airline customer service
Next, let’s review each major U.S. carrier and how to reach a phone agent the quickest. Bookmark this page, as it’s an easy one-stop shop for customer service numbers.
American Airlines
Best approach: Live chat with AA online or via mobile app
Alternate approach/phone number: 800-882-8880
If you’ve called the system before, AA will recognize your number and ask you directly what your call is about. If not, say your AAdvantage number slowly and clearly to start the call.
After being greeted by name, say “reservation,” then “existing reservation,” and then “travel changes.” You’ll be prompted for a confirmation number. If you don’t have one, say, “I don’t have it.” You’re then asked if all flights are in the U.S. After this, you’re in the queue to be transferred to an agent.
American is great about giving you an idea of how long your hold time is when it asks if you’d prefer to be called back. If it’s still going to be a long hold, enter your phone number, and an agent will return your call, usually right in the estimated window.
Alternatively, you can live chat with AA on either the mobile app or the website. If you’re on the computer, head to the contact page and find the chat icon in the bottom right corner of the page.
This app also has an automated system, but we’ve found that if you type “delayed or canceled flights,” it will spit out a generic answer. If you then select “My question has not been answered,” it will put you in the queue for a live agent.
I recently tested the wait times for the chat feature and a phone call to inquire about a flight that AA recently changed without explanation, and here’s what I got:
- AA chat: 11 minutes, 57 seconds
- Phone: Rather than wait on hold, I opted for the callback option, which said I would receive a call within 27-37 minutes. They called me back in 28 minutes.
The one caution to using the app is that the agents can’t take payment information. Depending on what you need, the phone may be your only option.
Alaska Airlines
Best approach: Text “ALASKA” to 82008 or online chat
Alternate approach/phone number: 800-654-5669
When you call, an automated bot will answer the phone. Say, “Change my reservation.” You’ll then be asked for your confirmation number. You can say, “I don’t have it,” and you’ll be put in line to talk to an agent.
Other options are to text “ALASKA” to 82008, and an agent can help you over messaging or chat Alaska via its contact page. When chatting online, you’ll have to enter your name and Alaska Airlines number. You’ll immediately be put in the queue for an agent.
I tested all three options for their current wait times:
- By phone: One minute and 20 seconds
- By text: One minute
- By online chat: One minute
For me, the phone option was the slowest in this test, but just by seconds, so in this case, all offered very prompt help.
Delta Air Lines
Best approach: Live chat via the mobile app
Alternate approach/phone number: 800-323-2323
When calling, say “existing reservation.” If you’ve called the number before, it will automatically recognize your account. If not, key in your SkyMiles number. By not selecting any of the automated prompts, you’ll be put in line to speak to an agent. You’ll be given the option to receive a callback instead of waiting on hold.
Alternately, if you head to the Delta app, scroll to the “Contact us” option under “More” on the bottom right corner of the app screen. You have the ability to message Delta for quick text communication.
Here’s another quick wait time comparison:
- Text conversation: Less than a minute
- Phone: Five and a half minutes
Both interactions were relatively short, but I would personally recommend the app. TPG editor Clint Henderson was connected to a live agent within three and a half minutes when calling in by phone, but wait times can vary widely.
JetBlue
Best approach/phone number: 800-538-2583
Alternate option: Online chat
On the phone, select option two for reservations and hit two again to signal an existing reservation. You’ll automatically be put in a queue and given an estimated wait time.
You can also chat on a mobile device or your desktop browser. Head to the JetBlue “Contact Us” page and scroll to where you see “Chat with us.” From there, I selected “Booking questions” and “Fare Types” and then clicked “I still need help.” The app quoted me an estimated 10-15 minute wait time.
At the time of this story, the JetBlue phone line greeted me with a message suggesting travelers with time to spare should consider calling back due to “site maintenance.” For the sake of this story, I ignored that message and was quoted a seven-minute wait time for a customer service agent.
Here are the current wait times compared:
- By chat: Nine minutes
- By phone: One minute and 32 seconds
In this case, I’d probably opt for the phone, though the results may vary when it comes time for you to call in.
Southwest Airlines
Best approach/phone number: 800-435-9792
Alternate option: Live chat via the Southwest app
Call the reservation number listed above, and then select option two, followed by option one or two for domestic and Puerto Rico or international travel. You’ll be transferred to an agent or given an estimated hold time.
Alternatively, you can chat via the Southwest app. However, know that the automated chat aggressively keeps you away from a live agent.
For the sake of this story, TPG credit cards editor Senitra Horbrook tried requesting help via the app for an upcoming fight in her account.
“Basically, I just typed ‘Help’ to the bot prompts until it said I could be connected to an agent,” she said before being immediately greeted with “A bot with Heart.” A few minutes later, the app told her, “Unfortunately, there are no agents available at the moment,” instead directing her to call for more help.
In my experience, calling Southwest yielded a live person within one minute and 49 seconds. Given that the app seemingly does not connect you to help, skip the app for now and just call.
Spirit Airlines
Best approach/phone number: 855-728-3555
Alternate option: Online chat
When calling Spirit, select option two for changes to an existing reservation. You can then select option two and then option one to be put in the queue for a customer service agent. Unfortunately, Spirit does not estimate a wait time over the phone. Even so, I only waited five and a half minutes before being connected to an agent on my test call.
You can also chat with Spirit on WhatsApp and via the Spirit Airlines contact page. I’ve found the fastest way to navigate the contact page is the following:
- Select “Change or Cancel My Flight.”
- The bot will prompt you to modify your flight online before asking if that answered your question.
- Select “Not yet!”
- Select “Speak to a Representative.”
- Select “Additional request.”
- Enter your first and last name, along with your email address.
- When asked for your confirmation code, select “skip.”
- You’ll then be quoted a wait time.
This online process yielded an estimated 10-minute wait time, but I ended up waiting on hold for 30 minutes before ending the chat.
United Airlines
Best approach/phone number: 800-421-4655
Alternate option: Online chat
If you’ve called United before, the system should recognize you. All you need to do is say “reservations” to be automatically put in line to speak to a human.
The wait time for a phone agent was six minutes in this case after being quoted a two-minute hold time. You can also chat with United via the customer support page by logging in to your United MileagePlus account, scrolling to the bottom and clicking on “Chat now.”
When I attempted to “Chat now,” the app would not work for me. However, when TPG’s Summer Hull (who has United 1K status) tried it out, she was connected to an agent within two minutes after just a few prompts for an agent from a list of options.
In my case, I had no choice but to accept the six-minute phone call hold.
Advanced options to reach airline assistance
Download the DoNotPay app
This app is helpful in a variety of ways far beyond travel, but it does have a “jump the phone queue and never wait on hold again” feature where the app will direct your request to the right airline and forward the call to you after waiting on hold.
Head to the “Customer Service” section of the app, where it will ask you which company you are having a problem with, and you respond with the airline you want to call.
The app will then ask for a brief description of what you want to talk about and ask if you want the app to have the airline call you instead of you waiting on hold. DoNotPay has built a database of priority and VIP customer service numbers for tons of companies.
For legality, if you opt into recording the exchanges, the app automatically plays a message informing both parties they’ll be recorded. A human voice detection system hears when a real agent picks up the phone and then rings your phone.
Try a foreign call center
As previously mentioned, dialing a foreign call center is another strategy for reaching agents in a more reasonable amount of time. This requires an app such as Skype, Talkatone, Viber or Google Voice to make the calls affordable.
Common call center numbers that advanced travelers use to get help include Singapore (+65 6823 2095) and Hong Kong (+852 3002 1208) for British Airways, the Japan call center (+81 3 3298 4719) for Etihad Airways, the Australia call center (+61 02 9101 1948 ) for American Airlines, and the Japan call center (+81 0570 077733) for Delta.
Just remember to add or take away the necessary zeros before the phone number if you’re calling from the U.S.
Use the Spanish line
You can also try the foreign language-speaking agents for U.S. airlines, especially if you speak multiple languages. But if you are in a pinch, know these agents will also generally speak English. We don’t recommend this as a first step. However, if all else fails and you have the option to push two for Spanish, go ahead and try that way to get quick help when the English line is hopelessly backed up.
Bottom line
Elite status members of an airline’s frequent flyer program usually have access to different phone numbers and can enjoy shorter wait times and potentially better service. Not everyone has elite status, but even elite members may be faced with a lengthy queue during peak times.
Whether you have airline elite status or not, there is usually more than one way to get help from an airline customer service agent, so it pays to know of a Plan B or even C if you need help in a hurry and can’t otherwise get through.
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