Anyone planning a vacation this summer should remember two words: AirTran and Jet Blue Airways Corp. (NASDAQ: JBLU).Those were the two airlines that came out on top of a national survey of airline quality released today that underscored the sorry state of the industry. Anyone who has flown since 9-11 knows that getting your teeth pulled is more fun. Planes are filled to the brim and are often late. Luggage often goes on magical mystery tours that bypass your destination.
Last year was more of the same, according the Associated Press
"There were more lost bags, more bumped passengers, more consumer complaints and fewer on-time flights than in the previous year," the story says. "The rate of consumer complaints was up 60 percent. US Airways (NYSE: LCC) had the most complaints last year. Southwest (NYSE: LUV) had the fewest."
Bad airlines are bad for the environment because it encourages more casual fliers to drive to their destinations. Even with soaring gas prices, flying isn't worth the trouble. I may have to fly this summer and I'm already dreading it.
--Freelance writer Jonathan Berr edits the blog Ketchup and Eggs.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-07-2008 @ 4:48PM
Grammar Police said...
Anyone who has flied? Check out a very friendly dictionary.
4-07-2008 @ 6:05PM
Bernard I. Turnoy said...
Really, 'anyone who has flied since 9 / 11'; you didn't spend much time studying grammer and/or composition - now did you? Gee, I've FLOWN since 9 / 11, but, I can't [literally] say that I've 'flied' anywhere. Tsk, tsk.
Oh yes, the basic buisness model of the airline industry is flawed. You don't invest that much capital in equipment, have the continuing operations expense overheads for infrastructure, staff, fuel and to maintain your fleet, and - then, as a legacy carrier, have the un-regulated industry allow any newcomer in without the burdens of retiree pension and/or health care costs, and/or to anti-up to pay for existing infrastructure at airports, etc, be allowed equal access. It - the entire business model / air-transport system, denies reality. It's well past time for re-regulation of commerical aviation in this country. The 'open-skies' agreement will only further depress an industry int he United States on life support.