Journals / Journal of Aviation / 2026 / Volume: 10 Issue: 1

Analysis of Passenger Complaints Regarding Airline Tickets Purchased Through the Trip.com Platform: The Sikayetvar.com Example

Aykut Pajo(KIRKLARELİ ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-4515-6020
Pages
—
Publication Date
2026-02-26
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

It was found that the most complaints were about the non-refund of ticket cancellation fees and the rejection of cancellation requests.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of online travel agencies.
📊
Key Findings & Data:To this end, comments made on sikayetvar.com between 2022, and 2025, regarding Trip.com were examined.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:It was found that the most complaints were about the non-refund of ticket cancellation fees and the rejection of cancellation requests.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:2022 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Airline ticket · Complaint · Online travel agency

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of online travel agencies. Online travel agencies generally provide services through websites and applications. China-based Trip.com is an online travel agency that has been operating in many countries in recent years. As with many online travel agencies, there may be customer complaints about the services offered by Trip.com from time to time. The purpose of this study is to determine what types of complaints Trip.com has received regarding the airline tickets it has sold. To this end, comments made on sikayetvar.com between 2022, and 2025, regarding Trip.com were examined. The complaints identified were analysed using content analysis. The data obtained was grouped under themes and presented in tabular form. The research found that 109 different complaints were made about Trip.com, 3.67% of which were resolved, while 96.33% are still awaiting resolution. Within the scope of the research, 8 themes were created: complaints related to tickets, complaints related to information, complaints related to credit cards, complaints related to baggage, complaints related to ticket reservations, complaints related to flight changes, complaints related to customer service, and other complaints. It was found that the most complaints were about the non-refund of ticket cancellation fees and the rejection of cancellation requests. These research results are important in that they reveal the problems experienced by passengers who purchase airline tickets from Trip.com. The research results are expected to contribute to the efforts of Trip.com and other representatives of the industry to resolve these issues.

🔖

Cite This Article

Pajo, A. (2026). Analysis of Passenger Complaints Regarding Airline Tickets Purchased Through the Trip.com Platform: The Sikayetvar.com Example. Journal of Aviation, Volume: 10 Issue: 1. https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1774811

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (76)

  1. About Us (2025). About us. Access Date: 05.07.2025, https://tr.trip.com/pages/about-us/?locale=tr- TR&curr=TRY.
  2. Akay, B., & Turkay, O. (2014). Analysis of the customer complaints against car rental companies. Electronic Journal of Vocational Colleges, 4(4), 138-146.
  3. Akmaz, A. (2024). Evaluation of complaints and satisfaction of customers preferring halal concept hotel businesses: halalbooking.com customer reviews (2019-2023). Igdir University Journal of Social Sciences, (35), 411-434.
  4. Alrawadieh, Z., & Demirkol, S. (2015). E-complaint management in the hotel industry: a study of five-star hotels in Istanbul. Nisantasi University Journal of Social Sciences, 3(1), 130-148.
  5. Angelovska, N. (2021). Understanding customers' complaint behavior for effective resolution. UTMS Journal of Economics, 12(1), 57–69.
  6. Argan, M.T., & Dursun, M.T. (2020). Complain with you reward me: event ticket delivery and biletix complaints. Journal of Turkish Tourism Research, 4(2), 1199-1215
  7. Arikan, E. (2023). Analysis of complaints regarding recreation and animation services in hotel businesses. Journal of Tourism Theory and Research, 9(1), 24-29.
  8. Arpaci, O. (2022). Analysis of customer complaints who purchased a black sea region tour. Balkan and Near Eastern Journal of Social Sciences, 8 (Special Issue), 25-32.
  9. Arpaci, O., & Kutanis, R.O. (2022). Analysis of customer e-complaints about service quality in accommodation businesses. International Journal of Social Sciences, 6(27), 442-463.
  10. Arpaci, O., Ugurlu, K., & Batman, O. (2015). A study on customer complaints made against halal concept hotels. Bartin University Journal of Faculty of Economics & Administrative Sciences, 6(11), 181-198.
  11. Arslan, A., & Simsek, G. (2022). The effect of memorable tourism experiences on behavioral intentions through social media sharing behavior and overall satisfaction. MANAS Journal of Social Studies, 11(2), 744-762.
  12. Avci, E., & Dogan, S. (2018). What do e-complaints tell about tourist guides? Journal of Travel and Hospitality Management, 15(1), 133-148.
  13. Aydin, S., & Ogel Aydin, S. (2025). Digital Reflections of the balkan tour experience: analysis of complaints. R&S - Research Studies Anatolia Journal, 8(2). 283-310.
  14. Aylan, S., Arpaci, O., & Celiloglu, F.K. (2016). A research on e-complaints towards thermal hotels from an internet complaint forum. Cankiri Karatekin University Journal of Institute of Social Sciences, 7(1), 49-68.
  15. Balaji, M.S., Jha, S., & Royne, M.B. (2015). Customer e-complaining behaviors using social media. The Service Industries Journal, 35 (11–12), 633–654.
  16. Bikmaz-Bilgen, O., & Dogan, N. (2017). The Comparison of Interrater Reliability Estimating Techniques. Journal of Measurement and Evaluation in Education and Psychology, 8(1), 63-78.
  17. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101.
  18. Buluk, B., & Boz, M. (2016). Tourist satisfaction in purchasing trips through online travel agencies: the case of Istanbul. Karabuk University the Journal of Selcuk University Social Sciences Institute, 6(2), 504-529.
  19. Burns, A.C., & Bush, R.F. (2015). Marketing research. 7th Edition, (F. Demirci Orel Trans.), Ankara: Nobel Academic Publishing.
  20. Ceylan, U., & Gencer, K. (2022). Investigation of online complaints against hotel businesses in the timeshare system. Journal of Turkish Tourism Research, 6(2), 540-552.
  21. Ceylan, U., & Karaman, S. (2017). The effect of customer complaint management, innovation, and learning on creating corporate reputation: a research on travel agents. International Journal of Global Tourism Research, 1(2), 85-106.
  22. Ceylan, U., & Uzun, A.H. (2024). Analysis of online complaints against hotel businesses: Ankara case. Journal of Sinop-e: Tourism Research, 1(2), 74-94.
  23. Corporate profile (2025). Corporate profile. Access Date: 05.07.2025, https://investors.trip.com/about-the- company/corporate-profile/.
  24. Cunningham, P., Smyth, B., Wu, G., & Greene, D. (2010). Does tripadvisor make hotels better? (technical report Ucd-Csı-2010-06). Access Date: 06.07.2025, https: //researchrepository.ucd.ie/server/api/core/bitstreams/ e67597ec-2efd-4b e0-a6ab-ee40664e39cb/content.
  25. Daradinanti, S.C., & Kuswati, R. (2025). Is the trustworthiness of celebrity endorsements truly effective on online purchase intention: a study on online travel agency customers. Indonesian Interdisciplinary Journal of Sharia Economics (IIJSE), 8(2), 2697-2717.
  26. Ercan, F., Sayın, K., Dalgın, T., & Gençer, K. (2025). A bibliometric and systematic review of publications on augmented reality in sustainable tourism. Sustainability, 17(4), 1-28, 1508.
  27. Einwiller, S.A., & Steilen, S. (2015). Handling complaints on social network sites-an analysis of complaints and complaint responses on facebook and twitter pages of large US companies. Public Relations Review, 41(2), 195-204.
  28. Ergin Cagatay, H. H. (2025). Communication and social media use in tourism. Rahva Journal of Technical and Social Studies, 5(1), 1-10.
  29. Gokdeniz, I., Bozaci, I., & Karakaya, E. (2011). An empirical research on factors affecting satisfaction after complaint management process. The Journal of Selcuk University Social Sciences Institute, 26, 173-185.
  30. Gong, J.H., Xie, L.S., Peng, J.M., & Guan, X.H. (2015). Customer responses to integrity issues for travel services in China a content analysis based on online complaints. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 27(2), 199-213.
  31. Gretzel, U., Yoo, K.H., & Purifoy, M. (2007). Online travel review study: the role and impact of online travel reviews. Access Date: 07.07.2025, https://www.Trip advisor.com/pdfs/OnlineTravelReviewReport.pdf.
  32. Gurbuz, Z. (2024). Evaluation of customer e-complaints: oz has and cesur bingol tourism. International Social Mentality and Researcher Thinkers Journal, 10(4), 551-559.
  33. Gures, N., Arslan, S., & Bakar, Z.K. (2013). Customer complaint behaviors in Turkish airline industry. Cukurova University Journal of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, 17(2), 129-148.
  34. Gures, N., Arslan, S., Yuksel, C., & Yilmaz, H. (2023). Analysing e-complaints of tourists about airline companies via tripadvisor. Journal of Tourism & Gastronomy Studies, 8(1), 211–230.
  35. Hackman, J.R., & Wageman, R. (1995). Total quality management: empirical, conceptual, and practical issues. Administrative Science Quarterly, 40(2), 309-342.
  36. Ibis, S., & Batman, O. (2016). Analysis of customer complaints against airlines. In: 3rd International Congress of Tourism & Management Research–May 2016. Adra Publishing, Antalya, pp. 317-333.
  37. Kabakci, D., & Koker, N.E. (2017). The importance of online complaints in terms of the role of corporate communication process. Journal of Akdeniz Communication, 27, 46–77.
  38. Kaleozu, S., & Deniz, S. (2025). The relationship between ewom and customer experience: an analysis of boutique hotel reviews through the servqual model. Journal of Business Research, 17(2), 1677-1697.
  39. Kanli, K. (2019). Examination of e-complaints with content analysis for tourist guides. Journal of Tour Guiding, 2(1), 10–17.
  40. Karaman, A., & Sayin, K. (2017). The importance of internet usage in hotel businesses: A study on small hotels. Journal of Internet Applications and Management, 8(1), 65-74
  41. Keles, A., Kilinc, C.C., & Ates, A. (2016). Tour operators directing customers with the content analysis of e- complaint issues made to foreign tourism operators about tourism in Turkey. Journal of Academic Researches and Studies, 8(15), 211-228.
  42. Kesim, M.M., & Yilmaz, I. (2024). Problems experienced by disabled local tourists in tourism: an evaluation based on complaints on online platforms. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism, 6(2), 233-250.
  43. Kizilcan, S., Hosgor, H., & Gungordu, H. (2023). Analyzing e-complaints directed towards a specific airline company: the case of corendon airlines. Social Sciences Research Journal, 12(06), 787-794.
  44. Kim, D.J., Kim, W.G., & Han, J.S. (2007). Perceptual mapping of online travel agencies and preference attributes. Tourism Management, 28, 591-603
  45. Kurt, Y (2017). Social media interaction of low-cost airline users: pegasus airlines twitter analysis. International Journal of Social Science, 60 (Autumn II), 465-491.
  46. Kutluk, A., & Arpaci, O. (2016). Investigation of e-complaints with grounded theory and content analysis towards travel agencies in the context of e-wom. Balikesir University the Journal of Social Sciences Institute, 19(35), 367-386.
  47. Kutuk, A. (2021). E-customer satisfaction in digital travel intermediaries and a content analysis intended for e-complaints. Journal of Turkish Tourism Research, 5(1), 407-421.
  48. Limon, S., & Arpaci, O. (2016). Evaluation of customer complaints from the perspective of corporate image: research on complaints towards travel agencies. Karadeniz Technical University E-Journal of Faculty of Communication, 6(1), 86-99.
  49. Mesci, Z., & Bicer, G. (2024). Digitalization in travel agencies: the case of Istanbul. Sivas Interdisciplinary Tourism Research Journal, 7(2), 229-242.
  50. Nazli, M. (2020). Tourists' e-complaints about online travel agencies. Saffron Journal of Culture and Tourism Researches, 3(1), 99-111.
  51. Nurhaliza, S., Handaka, S.A.A., Junirahma, N.S., Hermanto, B., & Komaladewi, R. (2025). Complaint management system analysis to improve visitor satisfaction: case study: Puncak darajat highland. Tourism Scientific Journal, 10(2), 259–275.
  52. Ooi, K.B., Lin, B., Tan, B.I., & Yee‐Loong Chong, A. (2011). Are TQM practices supporting customer satisfaction and service quality? Journal of Services Marketing, 25(6), 410-419.
  53. Sahin Percin, N., & Cay, G. (2025). Evaluation of e-complaints against local restaurants in Konya province using content analysis method. Tourism and Recreation, 7(1), 11-24.
  54. Sahin, Y. (2024). New approaches in aviation management: sustainable aviation fuels studies. International Journal of Artvin Coruh University Social Sciences, 10(2), 261-276.
  55. Sarac, O., & Turkay, O. (2019). A study on infrastructural, structural, and environmental issues based on tourist complaints and potential solutions for local governments: Antalya sample. Journal of Gumushane University Social Sciences, 10, 98-110.
  56. Sarica, V., & Ozbay, G. (2022). A study on customer complaints during the pandemic period in food and beverage delivery services. Journal of Management and Economics, 29(3), 583-602.
  57. Selvi, M. S., Sacilik, M.Y., Cevik, S., & Cavlak, N. (2012). A content analysis regarding consumer complaints about timeshare systems. Turar Journal of Tourism and Research, 1(2), 15-35.
  58. Sikayetvar (2025). Sikayetvar. Access Date: 10.11.2025, https://www.sikayetvar.com/aboutus.
  59. Soylu, I., & Kitapci, O. (2020). Do anger dimensions differ in terms of complaint behavior? an application in the airline industry. Studies on Marketing Insights, 4(1), 27-43.
  60. Su, Z., & Ha, H.Z. (2025). Longitudinal impact of perceived fairness after service failures: evidence from online travel agencies. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 128, 104177.
  61. Tanrisever, C. (2018). Analysis of complaint customers who purchased package tours. Tourism Academic Journal, 5(1), 114-123
  62. Temizkan, R., & Ar, H. (2017). Analysis of e-complaints against tourist guides. Academic Perspective International Journal of Refereed Social Sciences, 64, 273-285.
  63. Merriam, S. B. (2013). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation (S. Turan, Trans.). Ankara: Nobel.
  64. Turban, E., Outland, J., King D., Lee, J.K., Liang, T.P., & Turban, D. C. (2018). Electronic commerce 2018: a managerial and social networks perspective (9th Edition). Switzerland: Springer International Publishing AG.
  65. Unal, A. (2019). A study on the classification of e-complaints of hotel customers. International Journal of Management Economics and Business, 15(2), 561-581.
  66. Unal, A., Cakir, G., Bayar, S.B., & Celen, O. (2020). Investigation of tourists' complaints about hospitality businesses: research on Marmara region hotels. Journal of Gumushane University Social Sciences, 11(3), 744- 755.
  67. Unur, Y.D.D.K., Cakici, P.D.C., & Tastan, A.G.H. (2010). Customer complaints on package tours and research on the frequency of the complaints faced by the travel agents. Cukurova University Social Sciences Institute Journal, 19(3), 391-408.
  68. Whang, J. (2024). The effects of service recovery actions on customers' post-recovery responses to online travel agencies (OTAs): the moderating role of price. International Journal of Tourism Research. 26(4), 1-13.
  69. Wicaksono, A., & Maharani, A. (2020). The effect of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use on the technology acceptance model to use online travel agency. Journal of Business and Management Review JBMR, 1(5), 313-328.
  70. Winarko H.B., & Husna, A. (2020). Consumer behavior toward online travel agencies (OTA): evidence from Indonesia. International Journal of Tourism & Hospitality Reviews, 7(1), 20-29.
  71. Wreden, N. (2005). Profit brand: how to increase profitability, accountability & sustainability of brand. London: Kogan Page Publishers.
  72. Xu, W., Yao, Z., Ma, Y., & Li, Z. (2025). Understanding customer complaints from negative online hotel reviews: a bert-based deep learning approach. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 126, 104057, 1-11.
  73. Ye, H., & Tripathi, A. (2016). Using social media to manage customer complaints: a preliminary study. In: 49th International Conference on system sciences (HICSS). IEEE computer security, Hawaii, USA, pp. 3839-3846.
  74. Yilmaz, E.S., & Bal, F. (2022). Investigation of airline companies’ corporate reputation with the RQ model through the "sikayetvar" website. Journal of Gumushane University Social Sciences, 13(1), 436-449.
  75. Yoo, K.H., Y., & Gretzel, U. (2009). Comparison of deceptive and truthful travel reviews. In W. Hopken, U. Gretzel, and R. Law (Eds.), Information and communication technologies in tourism (pp. 37–47). Wien: Springer- Verlag.
  76. Zengin, B., & Haliloglu, S. (2020). Investigation of e-complaints for accommodation companies: the case of Sakarya. Saffron Journal of Culture and Tourism Researches, 3(1), 68-84.