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Tuesday, December 8, 2009

PHL on-time performance worse, but better (?)

PHL did as well or better in October than it has in years compared with other airports in on-time arrivals and departures, but the percentage of timely operations slipped compared with a  year ago. The airport ranked 15th out of 31 major airports in departures, and 19th in on-time arrivals in the month, a significant improvement from where it usually finishes, federal officials reported today. More than 81 percent of the takeoffs were within 15 minutes of their schedule this year, compared with 86 percent on time in October 2008, when it finished No., 23 out 31.

The rankings, issued by the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, typically change a little from month to month, depending on what the weather was like. October last year saw cuts in airline schedules and clearer weather at PHL. More statistics than you can possibly imagine can be found at the BTS Web page for airport rankings. Details of airline perfornance by airport and for bag-handling and complaints are at a separate Department of Transportation site. 

Among PHL airlines, US Airways led the way, with more than 81 percent arrivfals on time. followed by Delta, American, several regional carriers, and United.  Southwest, the airports. No. 2 carrier, had a much-below-average month, at 74 percent on time arrivals. Systemwide, US Airways had the third-best on-time record, behind just Alaska and JetBlue, and continued to improve its recrod for lost or damaged bags.

  
Posted by Tom BELDEN @ 3:11 PM  Permalink | 6 comments
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:00 PM, 12/08/2009
    WHAT DID YOU EXPECT? LESS FLIGHTS NATIONWIDE..NO BAD WEATHER...PHL WHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE TOP TEN...NOT SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE..IS PHL CAN'T BE AT THE TOP WITH THE WEATHER, WHICH WAS PERFUCT IN NOVEMBER, THEN THERE IS NO CHANCE OF PHL DOING ANY BETTER,, JUST FACE FACTS..YOU MIGHT AS WELL NOT EVEN PRINT THE ON-TIME-PERFORMANCE ANY MORE BECAUSE ALL OF US KNOW WHAT IT WILL BE...YHS
    — STEVE5444
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:54 PM, 12/08/2009
    Steve-Nowhere in your rambling, incoherent response did you come close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. We are all dumber for having read it. I award you no points and may God have mercy on your soul.
    — krazylegs
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:21 PM, 12/08/2009
    well put krazylegs haha
    — zildijan82
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:18 PM, 12/08/2009
    Southwest Airlines may claim to love bags in its commercials, but it had the highest rate of mishandled luggage among all carriers. It received more than 27,600 baggage reports during the month, or about 3% of its total passenger count. How come Tom failed to mention this?????????????????????
    — Steve Smith
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:16 PM, 12/08/2009
    I wonder where we rank in the "length of time waiting for your luggage" category?
    — thomas.brighter
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:31 AM, 12/09/2009
    TO KARZYLEGS- TRY THIS...SITTING IN A PLANE AT 10AM ON A SUNNY DAY AND WAITING 1 HOUR TO TAKE OFF.....JUST TRY
    — STEVE5444


6 comments
About Tom Belden
Tom Belden has been reporting about Philadelphia International Airport and other air travel subjects for more than 20 years, writing columns for The Inquirer's Travel and Business sections. His reporting (with colleague Craig McCoy) on baggage handling problems in Philadelphia have been credited with helping to improve the system. His previous blog was called Road Warrior. He can reached at tbelden@phillynews.com.
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