Enhanced Performance by US Airlines Amidst Increased Cancellations
US airlines recorded an 86% on-time arrival rate in October 2024, showing a notable improvement from September’s 84% and October 2023’s 84.1%, even with an increase in flight cancellations.
The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) latest Air Travel Consumer Report reveals that while 649,969 flights were operated in October 2024 (102.6% of October 2023 levels), the cancellation rate rose to 1.0% compared to just 0.3% in October 2023. The year-to-date on-time arrival rate currently stands at 77.4%.
The DOT continues to advocate for significant improvements for passengers, recently initiating rulemaking to safeguard travelers affected by airline disruptions. The proposed regulations would mandate airlines to:
- Provide cash compensation
- Offer free rebooking
- Cover meals and lodging
These measures are to be implemented when disruptions are caused by the airline, such as mechanical issues or IT system breakdowns.
Significant progress has been made on family seating, with five airlines now guaranteeing fee-free family seating following DOT pressure. The Department has also proposed a rule to completely ban family seating fees.
Involuntary bumping rates dropped to 0.28 per 10,000 passengers in Q3 2024, down from 0.35 in Q3 2023. This indicates improved capacity management by carriers as travel demand remains strong heading into 2025.