How long does Turkish Airlines have to respond to complaints?

Officially, if your flight touched the US, the DOT says they have 60 days for a real response. Unofficially, you'll get an automated 'we've received your query' email almost instantly, which is designed to make you feel heard while you wait for weeks for an actual human to look at your case. For detailed contact information, check out our [Turkish Airlines customer service guide](/customer-service/airlines-and-aviation/how-to-contact-turkish-airlines-customer-service).

Can I file a complaint against Turkish Airlines online?

Yes, and it's what they prefer. Their website has a feedback form, which is probably your best bet for creating a paper trail. Just be sure to screenshot the confirmation page because I've heard stories of the form timing out and losing everything right at the end. For detailed contact information, check out our [Turkish Airlines customer service guide](/customer-service/airlines-and-aviation/how-to-contact-turkish-airlines-customer-service).

What documents do I need for a Turkish Airlines complaint?

Get everything. You'll need your booking confirmation, e-ticket numbers, the crumpled boarding pass you almost threw away, any receipts for expenses you had to cover, and photos if you have them, especially for damaged luggage. It's better to have a folder full of proof they can't ignore than to be missing the one document they ask for.

Is there a fee to file a complaint against Turkish Airlines?

No. There's no fee to complain directly to them or to escalate to a regulator like the DOT. The only cost is your time and your sanity.

Can complaints affect my Turkish Airlines service?

Honestly, no. They aren't going to put you on a no-fly list just because you complained about a broken tray table or lost luggage, as they deal with thousands of these issues and it's just part of their operational cost. Your frequent flyer status is safe, so don't let that stop you from demanding what you're owed.

What happens after I file a complaint with Turkish Airlines?

You wait. Then you'll likely get a generic email from a 'Guest Relations Specialist' named Can that offers you 5,000 miles as an apology for your luggage ending up in a different continent, which is an offer you should almost certainly reject if your actual costs were higher. It's the start of a negotiation, not the end.

Can I escalate my Turkish Airlines complaint to a regulator?

Absolutely. If your flight itinerary included the U.S., file with the Department of Transportation (DOT) online. For flights within or from Europe, look into the national enforcement body for that country. You have to give the airline a chance to respond first, but if they fail, bring in the regulators. For detailed contact information, check out our [Turkish Airlines customer service guide](/customer-service/airlines-and-aviation/how-to-contact-turkish-airlines-customer-service).

Complain About Turkish Airlines - File a Complaint Today

It's not just you. Turkish Airlines has a shocking 1.5-star rating on Trustpilot from over 10,000 reviews. Their Better Business Bureau page is even worse, showing an 'F' rating and a staggering 1,019 complaints closed in just the last three years. If you're tired of dealing with lost baggage, endless refund delays, and customer service that goes nowhere, you're in the right place. Common complaints consistently point to poor communication and unresolved refund issues. It feels like once they have your money, you're on your own. But you're not. Here’s how to fight back and get the resolution you deserve. Official site: Visit Turkish Airlines

Last Edited on 12 Dec, 2025

Olivia Harper, Senior Content Manager

10 min read

Best ways to complain to Turkish Airlines

Contact Method	Details & Availability	Why use this instead...
Online Feedback Form	Official Complaint Form	Best for detailed, non-urgent complaints. You can attach documents like receipts and photos. Creates a clear paper trail.
Phone	1-800-874-8875 (Available 24/7)	Use for urgent issues like a lost bag or immediate flight disruption. Be prepared for long hold times.
Social Media (X/Twitter)	Tag @TurkishAirlines	Good for getting a quick, public response. They often move the conversation to DMs to resolve it.

⏱️ Estimated Response Times from Turkish Airlines After Complaining

Getting a response can feel like a lifetime. Here's a realistic breakdown.

Method	Expected Wait Time
Phone	Immediate to 2 hours (on hold)
Online Form	7 days to 4 weeks
Social Media	1 hour to 24 hours
App	Varies, often redirects to the online form

🔍 Tips to Get a Quicker Response from a Complaint

Have Your Info Ready: Keep your booking reference (PNR), flight numbers, dates, and ticket number handy before you call or write.
Be Specific: Instead of saying 'my flight was delayed,' say 'Flight TK123 on May 15th was delayed by 4 hours, causing me to miss my connection.'
Keep Records: Screenshot everything. Save confirmation emails, chat transcripts, and note the names of agents you speak with, plus the date and time of the call.
Stay Calm but Firm: Yelling won't help, but being firm about your rights (like compensation for delays under EU/Turkish regulations) shows you're serious.

How to Escalate Your Complaint

If Turkish Airlines is ignoring you or gives you an unsatisfactory answer, it's time to escalate. Don't just give up.

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

If your flight involved the United States, you can file a complaint with the DOT. Airlines are required to acknowledge your complaint within 30 days and provide a substantive response within 60 days. The DOT process is formal, so get your paperwork in order. You must complain to the airline first before the DOT will step in.

Better Business Bureau (BBB)

While the BBB can't force a resolution, filing a complaint often gets a company's attention. Turkish Airlines has a track record of responding to BBB complaints, even if they don't always resolve them. It's another way to apply public pressure. The BBB works, but prepare to wait. Turkish Airlines usually responds after a reminder or two.

Email Template to Complain to Turkish Airlines

Subject: Formal Complaint: Unresolved Issue with Booking [[Booking Reference #]]

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing again to resolve an issue regarding my flight experience on [[Date of flight]]. My booking reference is [[Booking Reference #]]. Despite contacting customer support on [[Date of first contact]], my problem remains unsolved.

On [[Date of incident]], my luggage was lost during my flight from [[Departure City]] to [[Arrival City]]. The file reference number I was given is [[Baggage File Reference #]]. This has been a significant inconvenience, forcing me to purchase essential items and causing a great deal of stress during my trip.

To resolve this, I require full compensation for my delayed baggage as per your airline's policy and international regulations. I have attached receipts for the necessary items I had to purchase.

If I do not receive a satisfactory response and confirmation of my compensation within 10 business days, my next step will be to file a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

[[Your Name]] [[Your Frequent Flyer Number, if applicable]]

Additional Helpful Tips to get Your Complaint Resolved

Use Their Language: When filing a complaint, mention specific regulations like 'Montreal Convention' for baggage issues or 'EC 261' for flights to/from Europe. It shows you've done your homework.
Ask for a Complaint Reference Number: Never end a phone call or chat without a reference number. It's your only proof the conversation happened.
Go Public (Politely): Post your issue on Twitter and tag Turkish Airlines. Keep it factual and include your complaint number. A user on Reddit mentioned this was the only way they got a response after their online form submission was ignored for a month.
Don't Accept the First Offer: For compensation claims, the first offer is often low. If it doesn't cover your costs or seems unfair, politely decline and restate what you believe you are owed.

Let Pine AI Help Raise the Complaint to Turkish Airlines

Tired of navigating the Turkish Airlines feedback form only for it to time out? Or being on hold for an hour just to be told you need to fill out the form anyway? Sound familiar? It's a frustrating loop designed to make you give up. Pine AI handles the tedious parts for you. We draft the formal complaint, send it through the right channels, and manage the follow-ups. No more hold music. No more wondering if your email disappeared into a black hole. We just handle it, so you can get on with your life.