Did Airlines Make the Grade in 2006?
The air industry report card for 2006 is in, and like an anxious parent, I want to know if the airlines made the grade. (Uh oh, It looks like some carriers may need to spend a little more time in detention.)
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Air Travel Consumer Report, U.S. airlines experienced a higher rate of flight delays and more reports of mishandled baggage about airline service in 2006 than in 2005. Oddly though, passenger complaints are down from a year ago. My guess is passengers have resigned themselves to the current state of air travel and thus lowered their expectations of airline service.
When it comes to on-time performance, the bar is set pretty low. According to information filed with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), http://www.bts.gov/ , the 20 airlines reporting on-time performance with DOT recorded an on-time arrival rate of 75 percent in 2006, down from the 77 percent mark of 2005. (Well, two percent is two percent.)
You can also check the Air Travel Consumer Report for on-time performance by airline, airport and flights (those with late arrivals 70 to 80 percent of the time). Carriers also recorded a rate of 6.7 reports of mishandled baggage per 1,000 passengers last year, up from 2005’s rate of 6.4. This report also includes data on airline reports of oversales (bumping) as well as reports required to be filed by U.S. carriers of incidents involving pets traveling by air.All in all, it looks like our Jimmy is not meeting his full potential and needs to work harder. You homework assignment: check out the Air Travel Consumer Report for 2006.
Comments
The most logical reason there were fewer passenger complaints despite more mishandled bags & flight delays is that we are all now numb. Flying has become such a painful experience that we are now surprised when something goes smoothly!
GO CONTINENTAL! They indeed do a great job!
Posted by: Jonna Clark | March 19, 2007 7:25 AM