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Air Travel Survey Press
Release from Travelocity
Last year when Jet Blue
simply cancelled flights due to snow and delays on the Eastern Seaboard,
travelers fumed, caught off guard by long waits in airports and on planes on the
tarmac waiting to depart. The news rang an alarm bell for commercial airlines,
and brought media attention to a situation some saw as a meltdown in travel.
Legislation to create consumer rights was proposed after many who sat on planes
for hours wanted to get off, but were not allowed to do so.
The actual travel environment
and consumer expectations are out of whack, according to a new survey. Not that
we don't already know the obvious. But some interesting statistic
came from this poll, shedding light on what travelers optimistically believe,
and addressing a question, "Will travelers stop flying?"
Trends & facts:
The highest load factors in
history occurred in the summer 2007
1/4 of domestic U.S. flights
were delayed.
Over 50% air passengers don't
expect to encounter problems with their flight experience
95% travelers say an hour
delay is excessive in air travel
Most airlines do not compensate for grounded flights
There is a disconnect between what travelers expect and what they actually get
for compensation when trips don't go smoothly
63 percent avoid using an airline (if comparable choice is available) due to
rude personnel
40% percent of respondents
said waiting a long time for luggage is the most frustrating aspect of air
travel
Over 50% said getting their
preferred seat was the most important factor in having an enjoyable flight
Tips:
Avoid traveling at peak times
Book connecting flights with
ample time between flights
Pick your seat during the booking process
Carry on snacks / drinks in case you’re stuck on the tarmac -- liquids can be
brought on the plane if purchased inside the terminal.
Take extra work and / or plenty of reading to help pass the time
Bring additional medication
Avoid scheduling meetings tightly around your arrival time
Bring emergency phone numbers with you, and make sure your cell phone and
computer are fully charged
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