Choosing an airline is one of the most important preparations you can make when you’re getting ready to take a trip. The experience that you have just getting to your destination can set the tone for your whole vacation, and you’ll want that tone to be a good one. Long flight delays, cancellations or lost luggage can put a real damper on your plans. And the trip home is just as important: You’ll want to be assured of getting home in a timely manner with all your suitcases intact, especially if you’re going back to work or will have other obligations to meet upon your arrival. Price and convenience are important considerations to take into account when choosing an airline, but it’s also helpful to know who has the best track record for avoiding problems that might spoil your good time. While even the best airlines can’t avoid every problem every time, it pays to do your research on the airlines that tend to do a better job. The next time that you’re planning a trip, consider one of these airlines.
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Hawaiian Air According to the 2012 Air Quality Report, Hawaiian Air was the top performer when it came to getting passengers to their destinations on time. The airline had an on time performance rate that was higher than 93%. The airline also has some terrific travel deals. Fly roundtrip to select cities this summer from Honolulu or Kahului to Las Vegas for less than $600. The airline also has specials on flights from Hawaii to Australia. You can also sign up for email alerts that will let you know right away about low airfares that aren’t advertised on the website.
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Virgin America There’s nothing quite like reaching your destination and finding out that your luggage did not. It’s an experience that you’ll want to avoid if at all possible. Increase your odds of having your suitcases arrive at the same time as you do by flying Virgin Air. The 2012 Air Quality Report found that Virgin Air had a mishandled baggage rate of only .87 per 1,000 customers, the lowest rate in the industry. If you’re a frequent flyer with elite status on United Airlines, American Airlines or Southwest Airlines, Virgin Air will match that status with their own Elevate Gold or Elevate Silver status, so you can enjoy all the special perks that can make flying more fun.
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Southwest Airlines One of the best ways to choose any service is to find out what other people are happiest with. If you’re looking for the airline with the most satisfied customers, look no further than Southwest. The airline had only .25 complaints per 100,000 passengers in 2012. The Air Quality Report also noted that the airline’s low complaint rate was consistent with previous years. Clearly, Southwest knows how to keep its customers happy. Perhaps this is because, in addition to finding great deals on flights, you can find great deals on vacation essentials like hotels and rental cars through Southwest’s website.
Choosing the best airline for your needs is definitely important, but it doesn’t have to be a big hassle. The information is out there to help you choose the highest quality airline that best meets your needs.
Is there one airline that you choose to fly with over the others? Tell us about it!
