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Passengers Air a Record Number of Complaints

Skies unfriendlier than ever

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 7, 2008 3:45 AM CDT

(Newser) – Airline passengers on domestic flights are unhappier than they've been in years, with consumer complaints up 60%, according to the annual Airline Quality Rating survey. Long delays, cancellations, overbooking, late arrivals, and lost baggage accounted for most of the complaints, which haven't been this bad since 2000, reports the AP. Complaints doubled on US Airways and Comair, and increased for 15 out of 16 carriers in the study. The sole exception was Mesa Airlines.

The performances of six airlines—Frontier, Northwest, SkyWest, Southwest, United, and US Airways—declined in every area. "The trend is bad and it doesn't look like it gets any better," said a professor who co-authored the survey. The results reflect a spate of financial and safety problems plaguing US carriers.

US Airways aircraft at Philadelphia International Airport. Complaints by passengers  on domestic carriers are up 60%.
US Airways aircraft at Philadelphia International Airport. Complaints by passengers on domestic carriers are up 60%.   (AP Photo/George Widman, File)
A United Airlines plane heads away from the gates at Denver International Airport. A new survey says complaints against domestic airlines are up 60%.
A United Airlines plane heads away from the gates at Denver International Airport. A new survey says complaints against domestic airlines are up 60%.   (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, file)
A Delta jet passes waiting to take off at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta. A new survey says the performance of US domestic airlines is at its an all time low.
A Delta jet passes waiting to take off at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta. A new survey says the performance of US domestic airlines is at its an all time low.   (AP Photo/Ric Feld, file)
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