New Year Will Start With Fewer Seats In The Air<< New Mexico's Controversial Aliens | Main | Travel's email customer service - the best of the worst >> Diane Clarkson | December 05, 2007, 11:03 AM Last year I celebrated (?) Christmas Eve by myself at the TGIFriday in Newark Airport. Storms had cancelled flights and there was so little seat vacancy that even a teary pregnant newlywed in the travel industry had no influence. This year, it could be worse for holiday travelers returning in January. The six big network airlines to cut back on their U.S. schedules, with 4.4% fewer seats for January than last year. According to USA Today, the year-to-year seat reduction by the big carriers means 72,000 fewer seats a day in the continental USA at a time when the average domestic flight has been running about four-fifths full. This is primarily due to high fuel prices, though also the result of shifts to international routes and planes out of service for upgrades. Demand is higher than ever and there is little downward pressure on prices. And with fewer seats in the air, any delay could have a startling domino effect. I wish I had words of wisdom for you if you're travelling. All I can think is: order fries with the Jack Daniels chicken. |
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