In news that will hopefully translate to greater availability of cheap airplane tickets and cheap vacation packages, seat capacity among the largest nine U.S. airlines is projected to grow by almost 4 percent this year, according to the Air Transportation Association. Additional seat availability will help offset the growth in fliers, hopefully keeping airfares affordable while providing more flight options.
JetBlue is forecasted to experience the greatest increase in seat capacity, with a rise of over 9 percent in available seats expected in the third quarter of 2010 vs. the same quarter last year.
The first half of 2010 has proven difficult for many frequent travelers, particularly business travelers. Airline capacity cuts over the past two years and increasing number of passengers resulting from a rebounding economy have made it more difficult to find available seats. The bumping of passengers (involving involuntary denied boardings of confirmed tickets) increased by 8 percent in the first quarter of 2010 vs. the same period last year.
The good news this year has been that capacity reductions have contributed to fewer flight delays, cancellations, and less mishandled bags. Flight delays fell by 5 percent, cancellations by 7 percent, the number of mishandled bags decreased by 10 percent, and consumer complaints against airlines dropped 15 percent during the first quarter.
Airline fleet expansion is forecasted this year with 1,430 new planes being added to the worlds fleet with only 500 existing planes being mothballed. Also up to 150 planes that were previously mothballed have been returned to service in recent months.
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