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For a non-accident concern about an airline, aircraft, pilot, or flight attendant, report it to the FAA Hotline. You can submit its web form, write to the FAA, or call 866-TELL-FAA (866-835-5322). If there is immediate danger, call emergency services; for an aircraft accident, call 911 first and then the NTSB.
Where do I report an airline safety concern?
Start with the agency responsible for the kind of problem you observed. A concern about unsafe operation or conduct belongs with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); an aviation-security issue belongs with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA); and an airline-service dispute generally belongs with the airline and, when appropriate, the Department of Transportation (DOT) consumer-protection office.
| Issue | Where to start | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Non-accident aviation safety | FAA Hotline | Suspected unsafe airline or aircraft operation, emergency-exit seating concerns, low-flying aircraft, pilot licensing, or a suspected aviation-safety violation. |
| Aviation security | TSA | Passenger screening, baggage screening, or a no-fly-list concern. |
| Airline service or consumer issue | Airline customer service, then DOT’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection when appropriate | Delays, cancellations, baggage, ticketing, or refunds. DOT’s consumer-protection office does not handle safety or security complaints. |
| Accident or immediate emergency | Call 911 first; for an accident, contact the NTSB | Use the accident-response route rather than the non-accident safety intake. |
A frustrating interaction with an airline, by itself, is not an aviation-safety report. If one event involves both safety and service—for example, a safety hazard plus lost baggage—submit each issue to its appropriate channel.
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How do I report a concern to the FAA?
- Record the facts promptly. Note the date and time, flight number, airline, route, airport or location, aircraft details if known, and what you personally observed. Separate firsthand observations from assumptions or information someone else provided.
- Describe what happened, not what you assume. Give a concise sequence: what happened, when and where it happened, who was involved if known, the hazard or rule you think may be relevant, and whether any risk is continuing. Avoid guessing about someone’s health, motive, training, or guilt.
- Choose an FAA Hotline intake method. Use the FAA’s web form, call 866-TELL-FAA (866-835-5322), or write to: Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Audit and Evaluation, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591, Attn: AAE-300, Room 911. Check the FAA page for current intake details.
- Keep a copy. Save your submission and relevant supporting records for your own reference.
The FAA Aeronautical Information Manual’s guidance for safety reports calls for details such as date, time, location, people and aircraft involved when applicable, the event’s nature, and other pertinent information. Providing specific, observable details helps distinguish the reported event from a conclusion about it.
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FAA Hotline or ASRS: which should I use?
| Route | Purpose | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|
| FAA Hotline | Public intake for aviation-safety concerns and alleged regulatory violations | The FAA says reports are referred to the FAA organization responsible for the matter; some report types may be outside the Hotline’s remit and redirected. |
| Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) | Voluntary safety-reporting program described in the FAA Aeronautical Information Manual | NASA receives and analyzes reports as an independent third party. The program includes pilots, controllers, flight attendants, maintenance personnel, other airspace users, and members of the public; its scope includes cabin operations and crew communications. |
The AIM says reports must be submitted within 10 days to qualify as timely for a waiver of certain disciplinary actions, unless extended for good cause. That specialized language is not a general promise of immunity, and an airline passenger should not assume that an FAA Hotline submission carries ASRS protections. Review the current ASRS material to decide whether that program fits your circumstances.
What if someone is in immediate danger or an aircraft has crashed?
If there is immediate danger, contact emergency services. For an aircraft accident, the FAA directs people to call 911 first, then contact the NTSB Response Operations Center at 844-373-9922. For non-accident aviation-safety concerns, the FAA directs the public to its Safety Hotline. See the FAA’s accident-investigation guidance.
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How can an airline worker report retaliation?
The FAA’s AIR21 Whistleblower Protection Program describes protections against discrimination for specified employees of U.S. air carriers and U.S. aircraft or component manufacturers, including their contractors and subcontractors, who provide information about air-carrier safety. It does not apply to passengers or automatically cover every aviation worker.
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Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What happens after you submit a report?
The FAA says Hotline reports are referred to the FAA organization with oversight or responsibility for the reported matter, and it cautions that some report types may be redirected. The cited public guidance does not establish a universal investigation timeline, guarantee an individual response, or promise a particular enforcement outcome.
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