While security lines and checked-bag fees are common complaints about air travel, the U.S. Travel Association says that passengers’ main concern is flight delays and cancellations, according to a survey conducted by the independent firm ResearchNow.
For the question, "Which of the following are you most concerned about before taking a trip by air?" top responses from surveyed travelers were:
- Delays/cancellations (39 percent)
- Fees imposed by airlines for checked bags, seat assignments etc. (26 percent)
- Safety (11 percent)
- Security screening (8 percent)
- No concerns (6 percent)
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Worse, an economic analysis of the survey results found that air travel hassles are taking their toll on the broader economy. Passengers' frustration with the flying experience resulted in 38 million avoided domestic plane trips in 2013, the survey found. Although air travel has steadily increased since the recession, 38 million trips is a loss equal to eight percent of current air travel demand.
That suppressed activity had a significant downstream effect on travel-related businesses and the overall economy, including spending losses of:
- $9.5 billion on airfare
- $5.8 billion on hotels
- $5.7 billion on recreation
- $3.4 billion on food services
- $2.8 billion on car rentals
The analysis found that cancellations and delays cost passengers themselves $8.5 billion in time lost, missed connections, and missed travel activity. The total hit to the U.S. economy was an estimated $35.7 billion.
Government Action
In a press conference, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow called for improving and modernizing the country’s air travel infrastructure. “The air traffic system is not improving,” he said. “People view air travel as a reason to stay home.” This does not have to be the new reality, he added, noting that Congress could solve the problem if they can rise to the task.
In a statement, Dow said that a significant amount of congressional attention has been paid to air travel policy recently—specifically upon the issue of government taxes on airline tickets, which is the subject of competing bills in the House and Senate. But he noted that one percent of survey respondents listed government-imposed costs as their top flying concern—tied with "don't know" for dead last in response to that question.
"In other words, two bills in Congress are aimed at an issue that is named by about one in every 100 travelers as a central concern," Dow said. "Meanwhile, upgrades to air traffic control are a decade behind schedule, and airports are struggling just to keep up with maintenance, let alone expand so that capacity and economic activity can comfortably increase. The most recent global ranking did not place a single U.S. airport in the top 25. It is threatening our ability to compete."
What Can Congress Do?
To address some of the major problems identified in the passenger survey, U.S. Travel proposes a number of key fixes:
For delays and cancellations: Make targeted federal investments in airport infrastructure and accelerate deployment of NextGen. Any associated fee increases must be rigidly structured so that 100 percent of the funds raised benefit travelers and travel infrastructure, rather than being general revenue raisers Congress may appropriate for unrelated purposes.
For airline fees: Improve transparency to make it easier for travelers to compare different flight options and budget for a trip.
For overall cost: Improve competition by expanding airports to add more flight options and improve competition.
By the Numbers
Other notable results from the air passenger survey and analysis:
- About nine out of 10 travelers said that in the past year, air travel has become either more of a hassle or stayed about the same.
- 60 percent of air travelers say they would take an average of 2.6 more trips per year if air travel were made more efficient.
- 91 percent of travelers say the overall cost of flying is a "very important" or "somewhat important" factor in deciding whether or not to purchase an airline ticket.
- 92 percent support—and 68 percent "strongly support"—a proposed U.S. Department of Transportation rule that would require airline ticket sellers to display pricing with add-on fees included.
- 81 percent feel that the overall cost of air travel has either "somewhat" or "significantly" increased in the past year. 16 percent feel it is about the same, and only one percent think flying is cheaper.
- Asked which factor is most responsible for recent spikes in the cost of air travel, 31 percent said airlines reducing the number of flights; 25 percent said airline-imposed add-on fees; and 23 named jet fuel prices.
- 91 percent list as either "very important" or "somewhat important" airport projects that enhance safety, security and capacity; reduce noise; and increase carrier competition.
Surprisingly, more than half of passengers (52 percent) said they would be willing to pay slightly more to fly if the extra cost funded projects that reduce delays and cancellations and improve the overall passenger experience at airports.