DOT PUBLISHES JANUARY 2023 AIR TRAVEL CONSUMER REPORT
April 12, 2023
On March 28, 2023, DOT issued its Air Travel Consumer Report for January 2023 incorporating airline operational data for on-time performance, mishandled baggage, and mishandled wheelchairs and scooters. A brief summary of some of the major topics covered in the report is included below.
Flight Operations
DOT reported that a total of 562,845 flights were operated in January 2023, an increase from the 547,134 flights operated in December 2022, and the 528,070 flights operated in January 2022.
On-time Arrival Rates and Flight Cancellations
For January 2023, reporting marketing carriers recorded a total on-time arrival rate of 76.2%, an increase from the 69% rate reported in December 2022, and the 75.2% rate reported in January 2022. Carriers with the highest on-time arrival rates included Delta, Alaska Airlines, and Southwest, while carriers with the lowest on-time arrival rates included Frontier, Spirit, and Allegiant.
Flight cancellations decreased to a rate of 1.9% for January 2023, down from 5.4% in December 2022, and 6.3% in January 2022. Carriers with the lowest cancellation rates included JetBlue, Hawaiian, and Delta, while those with the highest cancellation rates included Frontier, Southwest, and Spirit.
Air Service Complaints
DOT reported a high volume of air travel service-related complaints against airlines and ticket agents in January 2023, accordingly it expects the release of its consumer complaint data for January 2023 to be delayed until May 2023.
Tarmac Delays
Airlines reported 18 tarmac delays of more than three hours for domestic flights, and no tarmac delays of more than four hours for international flights in January 2023, a decrease from the 79 domestic flight tarmac delays and 3 international flight tarmac delays reported in December 2022.
Mishandled Wheelchairs and Scooters
Airlines reported mishandling 1.60% of wheelchairs and scooters in January 2023, down slightly from the 1.62% mishandling rate reported in December 2022.
If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr (esahr@eckertseamans.com 202-659-6622) or Drew Derco (dderco@eckertseamans.com 202-659-6665).
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