By Robert Trigaux, Times Business Columnist
Monday, April 2, 2012
It sure doesn't feel like it — wedged in the middle seat on a maxed-out flight, paying extra for baggage and begging for peanuts — but airlines are performing better than they have in more than two decades.
Just don't confuse "better performance" with "lower cost" or "more comfort."
Overall, airlines received better marks in the past year than they have at any time in the 22-year history of the Airline Quality Rating report.
Of the 15 carriers rated for performance in both 2010 and 2011, 10 airlines improved, four airlines declined, and one airline remained the same for 2011, according to the rankings issued Monday by joint university researchers at Purdue and Wichita State.
The industry improved in all four categories: on-time performance, baggage handling, involuntary denied boardings (getting bumped) and customer complaints. Ratings are based on data submitted ...