
The latest report shows that US airlines received better grades and had “a very good year”.
The latest Airline Quality Rating report shows that, throughout 2016, US airlines have been getting better grades and generally, reportedly had, “a very good year”.
This is all according to Dean Headley, an associate professor at the Wichita State University. Together with Brent Bowen, a study co-author, he has been tracking airline performances for 27 years. Bowen is part of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
The report released by the two has come to be considered an industry benchmark. This is because it is based on data gathered by the U.S. Department of Transportation. It uses such information to determine how airlines have been faring throughout the year when compared to them. Also, it compares the annual air carrier results to their previous years.
US Airlines Reportedly Changed Their View, Which Allegedly Led To Better Results
According to Headley, “A big reason behind why we saw fewer travelers bumped from flights is because the leaders of these airlines have changed their philosophy in recent years.”
The report found that, throughout 2016, US airlines reported the as yet best numbers in ‘critical areas’. These include denied boarding and baggage handling, among others. Also, the study shows that the number of mishandled baggage is at an ‘all-time low’. Reportedly, the number of passenger complaints to the DOT has also fallen. Such reports also include airfare complaints.
Headley stated that the average airfare for a domestic flight dropped by 8 percent when compared to 2015. As such, this reached $344.
The general points targeted by the report included the On-Time performance as well as the practice of bumping passengers. This latter dropped by 18 percent throughout the year. As it is, the rate does not include people who voluntarily gave up their seats.
Also, the report includes lost bags rates as well as the number of passenger complaints. These latter reportedly fell by one-fifth, and the former dropped by 17 percent. The lost baggage percentage includes both lost, stolen, or delayed bags.
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