What are the phone numbers for major US airlines?

United Airlines: 1-800-864-8331. Delta Air Lines: 1-800-221-1212. American Airlines: 1-800-433-7300. Southwest Airlines: 1-800-435-9792. JetBlue: 1-800-538-2583. Alaska Airlines: 1-800-252-7522. All lines are open 24/7.

How long is the hold time when calling an airline?

On a normal day, expect 15 to 45 minutes. During weather events, holidays, or major disruptions, hold times can exceed 2 hours. Elite frequent flyer members typically get connected faster.

Should I call the airline or use the app?

For simple changes like seat selection or same-day rebooking, the app is faster. Call for complex issues: multi-city itineraries, refund disputes, involuntary rebooking during delays, or anything that requires a judgment call from an agent.

Can I change my flight by calling the airline?

Yes. Most airlines allow free changes for flights booked with flexible fares. For basic economy tickets, change fees may apply. If your flight was canceled or heavily delayed by the airline, rebooking is free regardless of fare type.

How to Call an Airline

Last updated: March 19, 2026

Your flight got canceled, you need to change a booking, or your bag is somewhere over the Atlantic. Whatever the reason, sometimes you just need to talk to a person. Here's every major US airline phone number, what to expect when you call, and what to say to get results.

United Airlines 1-800-864-8331
Delta Air Lines 1-800-221-1212
American Airlines 1-800-433-7300
Southwest Airlines 1-800-435-9792
JetBlue 1-800-538-2583
Alaska Airlines 1-800-252-7522
Hours All major airlines operate 24/7 phone lines
Avg hold time 15 – 45 minutes on normal days; 1 – 3 hours during disruptions

When to call vs. when to use the app

Airlines have poured money into their apps for a reason — they'd rather you self-serve. And honestly, for simple stuff, the app is faster. Seat changes, same-day standby, checking flight status, basic rebooking — all doable in 30 seconds on the app.

But some things require a human. Call when you're dealing with:

Multi-segment rebooking during irregular operations (storms, mechanical issues)
Refund disputes where the automated system denied you
Complex itineraries with connections on partner airlines
Bereavement or medical exceptions
Award ticket changes with complicated routing

What to have ready

Before you dial, pull up these things. Having them ready shaves minutes off your call.

Confirmation number (6-character alphanumeric code)
Frequent flyer number if you have one
Flight number and date
Passenger name exactly as it appears on the ticket
Credit card used for purchase
Baggage claim tag number if calling about lost luggage

Rebooking a canceled or delayed flight

When flights go sideways, everyone calls at the same time. US airlines handled over 900 million passengers in 2024 alone, and during major weather events, call centers get completely overwhelmed (Bureau of Transportation Statistics). Here's what to say once you're through.

What to say

"My flight [flight number] on [date] was [canceled / delayed more than 3 hours]. My confirmation number is [code]. I'd like to be rebooked on the next available flight to [destination]. I'm also willing to consider [connecting flights / alternate airports / a flight tomorrow morning]."

Offering flexibility helps. Agents can see options you can't, including flights on partner airlines. If you're stuck overnight, ask about hotel and meal vouchers — airlines are required to provide them for cancellations within their control under current DOT rules.

Reporting lost or delayed baggage

What to say

"I arrived on flight [number] from [origin] to [destination] on [date], and my checked bag didn't arrive. My baggage claim tag number is [number]. I've already filed a report at the airport — my reference number is [number]. I'd like an update on the location of my bag and information about interim expense reimbursement."

Always file a report at the airport baggage office first. The phone agents can track your bag and arrange delivery, but the airport team initiates the search.

Tips that actually help

Elite status changes everything. Frequent flyer elite members get routed to priority queues. If you fly often enough to have status, always provide your loyalty number first.
Try Twitter/X. Sending a DM to @United, @DeltaAssist, @AmericanAir, or @SouthwestAir often gets a response within 30 minutes. For non-urgent issues, it's genuinely faster than calling. Airlines responded to roughly 4.3 million social media inquiries in 2023 (Cirium).
Call the international desk. If the US line is slammed, some travelers have luck calling a carrier's international number — agents can help with US domestic flights too, and the queue may be shorter.
24-hour cancellation rule. DOT rules require airlines to let you cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund, as long as the flight is at least 7 days out. No need to negotiate — just state the rule.
Be polite but persistent. Gate agents and phone reps have wide discretion. A calm, clear request gets better results than frustration. If the first agent can't help, thank them, hang up, and call again — you might get someone with more authority.
Keep notes. Write down the agent's name, the time of your call, and what was promised. If there's a dispute later, this documentation is gold.

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