Despite what many people think, it seems that things are looking up in the airline industry, at least when it comes to the quality of the airlines.
The results of the 22nd annual national Airline Quality Ratings (AQR) are out, and the ratings, which measure an overall score given to 15 major airlines for on-time, baggage, customer complaint, and involuntary non-boarding categories, shows an improvement over 2011.
In fact, last year’s performance rated the highest overall since the study, conducted by researchers at the W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University and the Department of Aviation at Purdue University, began in 1991.
The Top 5 Airlines by AQR:
- Air Tran
- Hawaiian Airlines (NYSE:HA)
- JetBlue (NASDAQ:JBLU)
- Frontier Airlines
- Alaska Airways (NYSE:ALK)
As for individual results, AirTran came in first for fewest baggage claim complaints for the third year in a row, while Hawaiian Airlines came in first for on-time performance. Who had the fewest overall customer complaints? For the second year in a row it was Southwest Airlines.
Of course for every best, there is a worst: the worst on-time performance was posted by JetBlue (NASDAQ:JBLU), while American Eagle (PINK:AAMRQ) posted the worst lost-baggage statistics, and added insult to injury by coming in with the worst overall AQR score.
What’s the bottom line for airline passengers? Do a little research by reading the AQR report, have a little patience as the typical spring and summer weather delay’s wreak havoc on schedules, and try to keep the number of bags checked to a minimum.
And enjoy that vacation.
