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2008 Airline Quality Report says Hawaiian is nation's best carrier
The annual Airline Quality Report (AQR) was just published, ranking 17 of the nation's airlines by timeliness, number of denied boardings, mishandled bags and customer complaints. The top four?1. HawaiianThough commendable, Hawaiian's top score is pretty easy to predict, as customer complaints and mishandled bags obviously go down when the weather is perfect every day. Air Tran, JetBlue and Northwest, operating out of Atlanta, New York City and the Midwest, respectively, all deserve praise as well.
2. Air Tran
3. JetBlue
4. Northwest
And the bottom?
17. Atlantic SoutheastThat is, mostly feeder airlines for the legacy carriers. Typically these carriers have smaller aircraft and a higher number of cancellations, so it's not uncommon to see them at the bottom of the quality list.
16. American Eagle
15. Comair
14. Mesa
The most heartwarming news in this year's AQR is actually not specific to any airline but rather to the entire industry. As a whole, airline quality is improving, with more on time arrivals, fewer denied boardings, fewer last bags and less complaints. Considering all of the airlines that went out of business last year, I'm sure this is welcome news for those remaining.
You can read your very own full copy of the AQR in PDF here.
Dude, how many times do we have to tell you? If you're going to Hawaii, use sunscreen. Do NOT be like the guys in the gallery below!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Robert Teague Apr 7th 2009 1:36PM
Enough of the comments about the weather .... no, the weather isn't always great here.
Jimbo Apr 7th 2009 2:25PM
Agreed, HA is #1 because they work very hard at making customers happy. Meals, widebodies, happy employees all point to the reasons they are #1.
Stop making excuses for east coasters...
Dudley Haas Apr 8th 2009 6:19AM
DELTA is still my favorite.
Don't
Ever
Leave
The
Airport
Robert Teague Apr 7th 2009 9:06PM
Most of Hawaiian's flights are short, less than 40 minutes. However, when I fly to Sydney from here, I choose Hawaiian over Qantas, for a number of reasons; like more liberal carry-on luggage - 25 lbs for Hawaiian, versus 15 for Qantas, for example.
Sheri Temple Apr 8th 2009 8:31AM
Having been with Airtran 15 yrs. I can tell you that it has taken a lot of hard work from every crew member every day to make this happen. I am proud to be a crew member with Airtran. Kudos to all.
Robert Beck Apr 8th 2009 9:16AM
The issue is NOT the weather. Even regional airlines fly all over the nation, because you are based in Atlanta doesn't mean you don't fly to Boston or New York or Chicago. The failure with the airlines is Management and poor management decisions.
As a former employee of one of the bottom listed failing regional airline, let me advise you. When you oversell flights, build unrealistic flight schedules, use technology that is over 24 years out of date, under pay your customer service department, treat them and your customers with no respect and as if they were members of a caste system, allowing those with no manners and lack of common courtesy to be treated as Gods, because they are frequent business travelors, or allow for a 75% a year job turnover rate, see above, and maintain unfair and unrealistic working conditions, you can expect to be at the bottom and fail as an airline.
Jennifer Sinsley Apr 8th 2009 9:45AM
Have to agree! As someone who has flown for one of the bottom four and then flew "private," absolutely NO COMPARISON! I wouldn't put any one I love on one of the bottom four carriers, take Greyhound first. The crews and employees are really great people, they just aren't given ANYTHING to work with. God Bless Them for what they do accomplish! And absolutely, a little respect would go a long way. These people(employees) desearve it! Management? Well, just think AIG and you'll get the picture. Greedy, caring about "ONLY THEMSELVES!"
Erica Apr 8th 2009 10:15AM
In a 6 month period, Airtran knocked the wheels off of not one but 2 pieces of luggage!! This was not inexpensive luggage either.
Also, when I arrive at the airports, it takes FOREVER for the luggage to get to baggage claim.
And...I think the planes arent cleaned between flights as I see a lot of crushed pretzels on the floor, trash still in seat pockets, etc!
Beth Apr 8th 2009 10:20AM
Delta is the absolute worst, no question about it. And I would rank Spirit among the best (the LaGuardia terminal aside -- that place really sucks) for service and price.
Richard Apr 8th 2009 11:20AM
It is unfortunate that you have had problems with Delta. Our choices out of Charleston, SC, are UA, US, DL, NW and CO. Delta, for us, is clearly the better choice for on-time performance (including fewer cancellations) than US or UA. When booking non-refundables, Delt5a is even the choice over non-stop flights.
CO is also a good choice, but only flys to the west and to Newark.
gail Apr 8th 2009 10:41AM
I know this has nothing to do with airlines, but why is it that so many women think that when they're in Hawaii, they think it's okay to wear bikinis, thongs and any other revealing "resort wear", reagrdless of their age, weight, etc...Come on people, look in the mirror.
JOHNNIE Apr 8th 2009 11:33AM
There is one more place besides Hawaii. It's Hollywood Beach in Hollywood Fl. The swarms of Canadians hit the Broadwalk and the beach wearing almost nothing. Enormous beer bellies on speedo wearing men, huge behinds on 60 y/o bikini clad women, and a personal dislike is huge scars that are almost displayed like a trophy. More than once I've heard people yell "Why don't you go put some clothes on"!
Angiebaby Apr 8th 2009 10:40AM
I would rather fly on a rickety bi-plane with a drunk, half-blind, inexperienced pilot than fly Northwest Airlines.
robert Apr 8th 2009 12:45PM
By angibaby, fly on a rickotey old plane witha blind drink pilot, then we won't see such an idiot like you posting on here anymore!!
Angiebaby Apr 8th 2009 12:56PM
Let me guess... You're a disgruntled shareholder?
Ed Apr 8th 2009 11:06AM
I find it hard to believe that Jet Blue is on near the top of the list. After 2 years, I am still waiting for some action over being stranded over 5 hours on the plane, treated badly and outright lied to by crew and ground staff.
Give me Southwest anytime, at least they talk to you.
MAD RAMP AGENT Apr 8th 2009 11:46AM
Mr Beck is so correct!!! I work for one of those regional airlines and we are no way near what the pay scale of the major airline that own us.Traverlers wants all that should be expected of and airline !! They will get it when we start getting a decent living wage and treated with the respect that we deserve for making their company profitable!! We take great pride in our jobs and would like to see things improve, but you have to give alittle to get a little!!
Marsh, R.G. Apr 8th 2009 12:04PM
What is wrong with you people...Allegiant Airlines is
not only the cheapest but the best. The attendants
may not be the youngest, best looking but they are very helpful and friendly. Give Allegiant a try when you
can. You won't be sorry. They don't lose your luggage and are mostly always on time.
robert Apr 8th 2009 12:46PM
allegiant is a charter airline, not a scheduled airline...
Kelly Watts Apr 8th 2009 12:02PM
I fly Mesa out of Phoenix quite often and found them to be a darn decent airline. I wonder if their bad reputation is becasue of US Air?