US Airways 3d in two major performance areas
US Airways Group Inc. ranked third among major airlines in on-time arrivals and baggage handling in August, a big improvement from recent years.
US Airways Group Inc. ranked third among major airlines in on-time arrivals and baggage handling in August, a big improvement from recent years.
So all 35,098 US Airways employees will receive $100 bonuses, Philadelphia's largest airline said after the government announced the figures yesterday.
US Airways flights arrived on schedule 80.8 percent of the time compared with 69.3 percent of the time a year earlier.
The Tempe, Ariz., carrier also ranked in the top three among 10 major carriers for fewer mishandled-baggage reports.
About 4.09 passengers out of every 1,000 reported a mishandled bag in August, down from 9.61 bag complaints per 1,000 a year earlier, according to the Department of Transportation Air Travel Consumer Report for August.
"Our baggage handling has not been a pretty story over the past three years. We've ranked last among our competitive set the majority of the time," chief operating officer Robert Isom said. "However, in 2008, we have really started turning things around."
Last fall, US Airways began offering financial incentives to employees for providing better service and getting planes pushed back from the gates on time.
The carrier pays a $50 bonus to employees every month it finishes in the top three in on-time performance, baggage handling, or customer complaints.
With a top ranking in two of those categories - on-time performance and baggage reliability - $100 checks are headed to all employees in their Oct. 10 paychecks, Isom said.
Still, US Airways had the worst customer-service record among the airlines in August with 120 complaints, or 2.45 per 100,000 passengers.
Isom said the airline had seen an increase in complaints about policies and new fees for everything from checked bags to choice seats and soft drinks. "While the 'pay for what you choose and use' model may not initially be popular," he said, the business model "makes sense" for the industry "and is here to stay."
Most major carriers have added fees to pay for jet-fuel costs, which have risen sharply this year.
Philadelphia International Airport's on-time record in August also improved. Commercial flights arrived at Philadelphia on time 78.3 percent of the time, up from 61.3 percent in August 2007. Planes left on schedule 79.9 percent of the time, an improvement from the 63.5 percent in August 2007.
Philadelphia International ranked 17th in on-time departures and 18th in on-time arrivals among 32 airports, as compared with 30th in both categories in August last year.
August Scorecard
On-Time Arrivals
Rank/Airline Percentage
on time*
1. Northwest 85.3
2. Southwest 84.4
3. US Airways 80.8
*Within 14 minutes of schedule
Baggage Handling
Missing luggage per 1,000 passengers
Rank/Airline Number
1. Northwest 2.92
2. AirTran 3.01
3. US Airways 4.09
SOURCE: US Airways