Learn how to effectively prioritize customer complaints during peak hour flight delays in aviation, ensuring passenger satisfaction.

Empathy is vital in customer-facing roles and it can make or break service recovery. Customers instinctively sense if empathy is genuine. Learning to put yourself in the customer's shoes is important and it should show through your interactions. Instead of treating every customer the same, imagine their specific situation. Begin by apologizing for the flight delay and then apply the LEAP method (see above) to demonstrate genuine care for their concerns.

Last updated on Jul 27, 2024

You're facing flight delays during peak hours. How should you prioritize customer complaints?

Facing flight delays during peak hours can be a stressful experience for both passengers and airline staff. Delays are often caused by factors such as inclement weather, air traffic congestion, or technical issues with the aircraft, which are sometimes beyond the control of the airline. As a passenger, it's important to understand that airlines are operating under strict safety regulations and will always prioritize your safety over punctuality. However, when delays occur, customer complaints are inevitable. Prioritizing these complaints effectively is crucial for maintaining good customer relations and ensuring that passengers feel heard and valued.

1 Listen First

When dealing with customer complaints due to flight delays, the first step is to actively listen. Passengers want to be acknowledged and have their concerns taken seriously. By providing your undivided attention, you validate their feelings and can better understand the specific issues they're facing. Whether it's a missed connection, a business meeting, or a family event, recognizing the personal impact of the delay is essential. This empathetic approach lays the groundwork for a more constructive conversation and helps to de-escalate any tension.

Add your perspective

MUHAMMED MINHAJ B S

Guest Experience Ambassador at Dubai Airports Terminal 3
Report contribution
Begin by actively listening to each customer's complaint without interruption. This shows respect and allows you to fully understand their concerns. Listening helps you gauge the severity of the issue and the emotional state of the customer, which is crucial for an appropriate response.

Like
Jia K.
Report contribution
The framework to use for active listening is called LEAP. 1. Listen Attentively: Give your 100% attention without interrupting. 2. Empathize: Show that you understand and allow customers to share their feelings. 3. Ask Open Questions: Encourage customers to provide a detailed response with open-ended questions. 4. Paraphrase: Repeat what the customers have shared to confirm your understanding.

Like

2 Empathy Matters

After listening, it's important to express genuine empathy. Acknowledge the inconvenience and frustration that the delay has caused. This doesn't mean accepting blame for uncontrollable circumstances, but rather showing passengers that you understand their situation. A simple expression of understanding can go a long way in calming a stressed traveler. Remember, the goal is to maintain a positive relationship with the customer, even in the face of adversity.

Add your perspective

Jia K.
Report contribution
Empathy is vital in customer-facing roles and it can make or break service recovery. Customers instinctively sense if empathy is genuine. Learning to put yourself in the customer's shoes is important and it should show through your interactions. Instead of treating every customer the same, imagine their specific situation. Begin by apologizing for the flight delay and then apply the LEAP method (see above) to demonstrate genuine care for their concerns.

Like

3 Provide Updates

Keeping passengers informed with regular updates is a key aspect of managing complaints. Even if the situation hasn't changed, letting passengers know that they haven't been forgotten can alleviate some of their anxiety. Share any information you have about the cause of the delay and what's being done to resolve it. Transparency builds trust, and passengers are more likely to be patient if they feel they're being kept in the loop.

Add your perspective

Jia K.
Report contribution
Customers value updates, even when there is no new information. Periodic updates are important in shaping the travellers' experience. In the instance of flight delays where often updates are lacking, performing this duty will reduce some frustration. Being proactive can turn a negative customer experience into a positive one. It is a subtle yet powerful tool for enhancing a great customer experience.

Like
MUHAMMED MINHAJ B S

Guest Experience Ambassador at Dubai Airports Terminal 3
Report contribution
Keep customers informed with timely and accurate updates about the flight status. Transparency is key to maintaining trust. Even if there's no new information, regular communication reassures passengers that they haven't been forgotten and that the situation is being managed.

Like

4 Offer Solutions

While you may not be able to expedite a delayed flight, offering solutions or alternatives can help ease passenger frustration. This might include rebooking on a later flight, providing meal vouchers for extended delays, or arranging for hotel accommodations if necessary. Being proactive in offering these solutions demonstrates a commitment to customer service and can reduce the number of escalated complaints.

Add your perspective

Jia K.
Report contribution
A great service recovery offers alternative solutions. An exceptional service recovery includes providing alternative solutions and proactive communication (see above contributions). Going above and beyond at various touchpoints and following up (see below contributions) can elevate an average recovery to an excellent one.

Like
MUHAMMED MINHAJ B S

Guest Experience Ambassador at Dubai Airports Terminal 3
Report contribution
Propose practical solutions to mitigate the inconvenience. This could include meal vouchers, access to lounges, or assistance with rebooking. Tailor solutions to the individual needs of passengers when possible, showing that you value their unique situation.

Like

5 Prioritize Fairly

Not all complaints are created equal. Prioritize issues based on their urgency and impact. For example, a passenger missing a connecting flight to an international destination may need more immediate attention than someone who's upset about missing in-flight entertainment. Use your discretion to address the most pressing concerns first while ensuring that every passenger feels their complaint is being addressed.

Add your perspective

6 Follow Up

After the initial interaction, follow up with passengers to ensure that their complaint has been resolved or that they're satisfied with the proposed solution. This could be a follow-up email, a phone call, or an in-person conversation. Following up not only shows that you take customer service seriously but also provides an opportunity to mend the relationship with the customer for future flights.

Add your perspective

Jia K.
Report contribution
It is important to follow up after executing the alternative solution. This often-overlooked step ensures the customer experience extends beyond the initial resolution, continuing until the passenger boards the flight. A simple check-in, like "I just want to see how you are doing," can significantly enhance customer experience at the airport. This small gesture demonstrates to the passenger ongoing care and attention and turning a bad airport experience into a stronger and more impactful interaction.

Like

You're facing flight delays during peak hours. How should you prioritize customer complaints?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Listen First

2 Empathy Matters

3 Provide Updates

4 Offer Solutions

5 Prioritize Fairly

6 Follow Up

Aviation

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Aviation

More relevant reading