The US’s largest airlines have come under constant criticism for new fees and a lack of customer concern but they posted their best on-time performance for the first quarter of any year since records were kept in 1995 — an on-time rate of 84%.
United, however, ended up holding the bat. It finished last among major carriers in all categories. It was last for on-time performance, it lost more bags than its major competitors, "bumped" more flyers against their will in the first quarter of the year. And perhaps naturally, it had the most complaints filed against it by aggrieved customers.
The previous first quarter record was the 81.3% on time arrival mark set in the first quarter of 2002, according to the US Department of Transportation’s Air Travel Consumer Report.
Airlines reported only three tarmac delays of more than three hours on domestic flights and no tarmac delays of more than four hours on international flights in March.
All of the long domestic tarmac delays took place on March 17 in St. Louis, a day of severe storms.
"Thanks to mild weather and operational improvements that our members continue to make, airlines set impressive on-time arrival records for two consecutive quarters, delivering strong results against what is most important to passengers: arriving safely on time and with their bags," said Nicholas Calio, president and CEO of Airlines for America, the industry’s trade group.
In addition to fewer flights, consolidation in the industry may help explain the better on-time performance, said George Hobica, president of airfarewatchdog.com
"In some ways, too, airline consolidation might play a role," he told the AP. "Fewer airlines results in better management of the available airspace. Airlines can coordinate schedules optimally without worrying about what other airlines are competing for the same takeoff and landing slots."
By David Wilkening
