National Airline Quality Rating to be Announced April 12

WASHINGTON, April 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The airline industry had one of its best years ever in 2009, according to the 20th annual national Airline Quality Rating. ( http://AQR.aero )

The complete results of the latest quality ratings for the nation's 18 largest airlines will be revealed at 9:30 a.m. EDT, Monday, April 12, during a news conference at the National Press Club, Holeman Lounge, in Washington, D.C.

Based on arrival times, denied boardings, mishandled baggage and customer complaints, the Airline Quality Rating is the nation's most comprehensive study of airline performance and quality. No other study in the country is based on performance measures like the AQR. Data comes directly from U.S. Department of Transportation reports.

For two decades, respected researchers Dean Headley, a leading business analyst from Wichita State University, and Brent Bowen, a top aviation expert from Purdue University, have co-authored the report.

The latest AQR findings cover the 2009 calendar year for the following airlines: AirTran, Alaska, American, American Eagle, Atlantic Southeast, Comair, Continental, Delta, ExpressJet, Frontier, Hawaiian, Jet Blue, Mesa, Northwest, SkyWest, Southwest, United and US Airways. The report also breaks down how the airlines compare to each other and the overall industry.

During the news conference, in addition to revealing the airline rankings for 2009, Headley will present an overview of airline performance since 1991.

An electronic version of the full report will be available to reporters and the general public after 9:30 a.m. (EDT) Monday, April 12, on the official Airline Quality Rating Web site: http://AQR.aero.

    
    
    
    MEDIA CONTACT
    Wichita State University
    Joe Kleinsasser
    (316) 978-3013/(316) 204-8266 (cell)
    [email protected]
    
    
    Purdue University
    Jim Schenke 
    (765) 494-6262
     [email protected]

SOURCE Wichita State University