Traveler’s biggest headache: up in the air
You’ll never guess what causes travelers the biggest headaches because it’s clearly up in the air.
Flight delays came out on top as aggravations for 40% of respondents’ to an Orbitz survey; another 21% cited airport security. And in good news for the hotel industry: only 15% said hotel amenities and cleanliness were problem areas.
The survey was conducted for Orbitz by the Ipsos Public Affairs Project.
Only 21% of those who fly said their travel time has not increased as a result of new security measures such as removing shoes and restrictions on liquids and gels.
However, the new security measures have left 42% feeling satisfied or more secure than before 9-11, while another 46% said they feel somewhat safer but still think security could be improved.
Not surprisingly, price was cited as the most important factor in booking a flight by 48% of those surveyed. But by a margin of more than 2:1, travelers said that if they could pick a flight amenity, they’d rather have more legroom than a free meal.
Only 24% of those surveyed do not use online travel sites. Among those who do go to the Internet, almost one third characterized online customer service as good or outstanding and another near one-third said it was satisfactory. Fifty-nine percent said “lowest prices” was the most important factor in choosing an online travel site.
The survey also found that younger Americans travel more than older Americans. A third of those ages 18-34 have traveled three or more times in the past year, while 35%of those ages 55 or older have not traveled at all.
Report by David Wilkening
David
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