Airlines: Truth in Scheduling

Although airlines offer frequent service to and from major cities at popular hours, many passengers have become increasingly irritated because some of these flights are delayed up to 70% of the time. In April the U.S. Department of Transportation began prodding the airlines to adopt realistic schedules. The effort paid off last week when six carriers agreed to eliminate chronically late flights at four of the busiest airports in the nation.

American, United, USAir, Delta and Texas Air Corp.’s Eastern and Continental airlines pledged to change schedules in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas-Fort Worth and at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. By November flights must be close to on time at least 50% of the time. By April planes must arrive within half an hour of schedule at least 75% of the time. If not, the airlines will face stiff fines.