Summer Air Travel Survival Guide

The author of this article contends that with the financial health of U.S. airlines improving in 2007, travelers can expect fare increases, as well as delayed and crowded flights. A case in point is the 71% on-time flight arrivals reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation for the first half of 2007, the lowest on-time tracking performance since DOT began compiling such records in 1987. Since summer is the busiest part of the travel season, the author predicts more traveler frustration. In response, the Airport Misery Index is presented to show air passengers which airports will the "least miserable" and the "most miserable" during the summer travel period. The 47 large airports and 53 regional airports that comprise the index are ranked according to a combination of factors, including on-time performance, crowded flights, and the load factor (or the percentage of passenger-filled seats). The index confirms the popular thinking that the large 'hub' airports, with their considerable connection traffic, rank among the worst for late departures and crowded flights. By contrast, smaller airports, especially those offering non-stop flights, provide for an easier trip. The choice of hub for connecting flights is also discussed, noting that while airlines match fares, their respective hubs do not necessarily match connecting experiences. Generally, smaller, less crowded hubs fare better than larger hubs for on-time performance. As with smaller hubs, smaller planes tend to rank better, too. Because of their tendency to be less crowded, the author notes that the likelihood of sitting next to an empty seat is greater on regional or commuter aircraft than on larger aircraft. The article concludes that even the best planning should involve contingency planning (e.g., researching flight options) to prepare for unforeseen circumstances that can delay or cancel flights. Web links are provided for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) list of prohibited air travel items and for the complete airport rankings.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00415537
• Authors:
  • Newman, Rick
• Publication Date: 2007-6-18

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Illustrations; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 42-43
• Serial:
  • US News & World Report
  • Volume: 142
  • Issue Number: 22
  • Publisher: US News and World Report, Incorporated
  • ISSN: 0041-5537

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aircraft; Airlines; Airports; Commuter airlines; Contingency planning; Crowds; Fares; Flight time; General aviation airports; Hubs; Indexes (Information management); International airports; On time performance; Passengers; Planning; Regional airlines; Traffic delays
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Maintenance and Preservation; Passenger Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; Society; Terminals and Facilities; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01080045
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 25 2007 10:27AM