Study: Airlines did a better job getting passengers and their bags to destinations in 2009

Airlines did a better job for passengers in 2009

WASHINGTON — Fewer passengers boarded planes last year, but those who did were generally treated better than in the past.

A new report finds that overall in 2009 flights were more likely to land on time and bags less likely to get lost.

Passengers, as a result, reported fewer complaints — even while cash-strapped airlines reduced flight schedules and charged for everything from bags and pillows to prime spots in boarding lines.

U.S. air travel surged to 770 million passengers in 2007. Last year there were nearly 70 million fewer passengers boarding planes.