US Airlines Performance--Are We There Yet?

It's always frustrating to hang around an airport waiting for a delayed flight.

When we're lucky, pilots find some way, whether it's using a different route or taking advantage of favorable winds, to travel a little faster than originally planned. After all, waiting to depart is a drag, but we tend to care more about when we get there.

How often do the largest airlines actually arrive on time? According to the US Government, the major airlines get their planes to the arrival gate on schedule about 75 percent of the time. When they miss, expect about an hour delay.

It's disturbing that the worst performer, American Airlines, logged the most revenue passenger miles of the top carriers. Over the past several years, American's executives have watched the airline's on-time arrival percentage fall and the average flight delay rise.

Southwest Airlines bucks the trend by keeping its on-time arrival performance steady and boasting the lowest average flight delay. I wonder what client would knowingly hire a consultant with an on-time project completion rate like some of these:

	% of On-Time Arrival	Avg. Flight Delay	Market Ranking
American	69%	61 Mins.	1
United	72%	59 Mins.	3
Continental	75%	60 Mins.	5
Delta	78%	50 Mins.	4
Southwest	81%	47 Mins.	2

Source: US Department of Transportation

Comments

[Lisa]

I'll agree that the weather is a variable, but since all airlines have the same weather to contend with, it should be considered something of a constant in comparing airlines.

[Bubba]

Unfortunately, there are quite a few variables which are outside of the control of the airlines. Not trying to make excuses, but they perform not unlike construction projects which can be delayed because of weather. Some construction jobs only take place during good weather. It might be interesting if the airlines cut service frequency during the winter, and charged a premium for those flights that did travel because of lack of competition the problem might be solved. But would the customer be happy?