Airline Quality Survey: Fewer flights but more of them on time

Fewer airline flights last year meant more of them were on time -- and less luggage was lost. <br><br>That's according to an annual study on airline quality. <br><br>The study found that customer service

Monday, April 8th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Fewer airline flights last year meant more of them were on time -- and less luggage was lost.

That's according to an annual study on airline quality.

The study found that customer service improved as airlines pared flights and carried fewer passengers.

The study said customer service had improved over 2000 as the recession cut into airline traffic, even before the September eleventh terrorist attacks led to a sharp drop-off of passengers and flights.

The major airlines carried 612-point-nine (M)million passengers last year. That's a seven percent decline from 2000, according to the Air Transport Association.

Flights were cut by around 20 percent after the terrorist attacks.

The Federal Aviation Administration says the airlines won't get back to pre-September eleventh 11 levels until 2003.

Here is the list:

2000 rankings are in parentheses.