April 2, 2001--
(Washington-AP) -- Delta was the highest-ranked of 10 major airlines in 2000, according to a review by Brent Bowen of the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Dean Headley of Wichita State University.
The rankings from 1999 are in parentheses.
1. Delta (3)
2. Alaska (5)
3. Southwest (1)
4. US Airways (6)
5. Northwest (4)
6. American (7)
7. Continental (2)
8. TWA (9)
9. United (10)
10. America West (8)
The rankings are based on such factors as on-time performance, lost baggage and complaints made to the Transportation Department.
America West says it has dramatically improved service since being ranked the lowest in the annual review.
Spokeswoman Patty Nowack says in 2001, the airline has improved its on-time performance, is mishandling fewer bags and has fewer customer complaints compared to last year.
Based on data collected by the Transportation Department, the report found that last year:
- Flights of 10 major carriers were on time 72.6 percent of the time, down from 76.1 percent in 1999.
- The Transportation Department received 2.98 complaints for every 100,000 passengers, a 20 percent increase over the 2.48 in 1999.
- For every 1,000 bags checked, airlines mishandled or lost 5.29, up from 5.08 in 1999.
- The rate of passengers being bumped against their wishes rose from 0.88 per 10,000 in 1999 to 1.04.
Overall, the airlines didn't get high marks. The review says flights are late more often, more passengers are being bumped from flights and more baggage is misdirected or lost.
Indeed, the professors say things have gotten worse as the airlines vow to make flying better.
(Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
