Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Travel / Outdoors


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published May 7, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified May 7, 2008 at 1:32 PM

E-mail article     Print view

Almost 30 percent of flights run late, signaling summer-travel trouble

Almost 30 percent of domestic flights arrive late in March

Seattle Times travel writer

Flight delays were widespread in March, the U.S. Transportation Department reported today, signaling trouble ahead as the summer travel season approaches.

Nearly 30 percent of domestic flights arrived late in March, compared to about 27 percent in March, 2007, the agency said. It was the worst March on record since the department started collecting comparable data in 1995.

Bad weather and heavy traffic volume slowed flights, the report said. Another reason, the Associated Press reported, is that airlines are replacing big planes with smaller ones to fly with fewer empty seats. That crowds the skies and gates.

Hawaiian Airlines had the best on-time record among 19 airlines surveyed, with almost 95 percent of its flights arriving on schedule. American Airlines' record was the worst. Just 62 percent of its flights arrived on time.

Seattle-based Alaska Airlines ranked third best, with 78 percent of its flights arriving on schedule. The airline canceled just under 1 percent of its flights, compared to an average 2.6 percent for the 19 airlines surveyed. American Eagle had the highest percentage of cancellations, 5.9 percent, followed by American Airlines at 5.6 percent.

Of the total flights departing out of Seattle-Tacoma Airport in March, 78 percent left on time, and 72 percent arrived on time. Chances of flights leaving on time were best in the early morning. Nearly 90 percent of flights leaving Sea-Tac between 6 a.m.-9 a.m. departed on schedule. The worst period for on-time departures was 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. when just 61 percent of flights left on time.

Complaints about missing or mishandled bags dropped slightly compared to March a year ago. The airlines averaged 6.7 complaints per 1,000 passengers, down from 7.7 in March, 2007.

Alaska ranked sixth-best, reporting 5 baggage complaints per 1,000. Hawaiian had the fewest complaints, just 2.5 per 1,000. Atlantic Southeast Airlines had the most, nearly 16 per 1,000 passengers.

Carol Pucci: 206-464-3701 or cpucci@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

More Travel headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

advertising

Fewer fliers expected over holidays

NEW - 07:42 AM
Hawaii hotel occupancy rate finally rises after 18 months

U.S. airlines boost on-time arrivals

Covert TSA officers keep watch at airports

Holiday airfares keep climbing

Advertising

Video

Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Ken Auletta talks about Google with Brier Dudley at the Seattle Central Library.

Medal of Honor
Pelosi answers questions at Swedish Medical Center
Pelosi speaks at Swedish Medical Center
"Pistol" Pete Ryan
Mourners gather at KeyArena for slain officer's memorial
Procession for slain SPD officer
Election Night: Approve R-71
Election Night: Reject R-71
Election Night: Joe Mallahan

Marketplace

nwautos

2009's most fuel-efficient sedansnew
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising