Traveler satisfaction with North American airports climbed this year despite numerous challenges from an ongoing pilot shortage to record passenger volumes.According to the J.D. Power 2023 North America Airport Satisfaction Study released Wednesday, overall satisfaction improved by 3 points to 780 on a 1,000-point scale. The rise was propelled by improvements in three key areas, including terminal facilities, food and beverage and retail service and baggage claim.The study, currently in its 18th year, examines overall traveler satisfaction with mega (33 million or more passengers a year), large (10 to 32.9 million passengers a year) and medium (4.5 to 9.9 million passengers a year) North American airports across six factors, including terminal facilities; airport arrival/departure; baggage claim; security check; check-in/baggage check; and food, beverage and retail.The big winners among North American airports were Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (800) Tampa International Airport (832) and Indianapolis International Airport (843), which ranked highest among mega, large and medium airports, respectively. 2023 marks the second straight year that Tampa and Indy have won their respective categories.
American adds new cross-country route from Miami to Orange County
03.09.2023 - 13:03 / thepointsguy.com
American Airlines is boosting its presence in Miami with the addition of an exciting new transcontinental route.
The carrier will commence daily flights between Miami International Airport (MIA) and John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, California, on Jan. 8. Flights will be available for sale by Monday, Sept. 4.
American's new flight will depart Miami at 8:30 a.m. and land in Orange County at 11:30 a.m., all times local. It'll then depart at 12:30 p.m. and arrive back in Miami at 8:20 p.m.
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The airline will deploy a 172-seat Boeing 737 featuring eight first-class seats and 164 economy seats. This 2,310-mile route will take about five to six hours, so it'll be a tight squeeze in American's Oasis configuration.
The move comes as American has been busy boosting its operation in Miami, where it faces increasing pressure from rivals like Delta and Spirit — both of whom have added new Miami routes and destinations in recent months.
"As Miami's Hometown Airline we're proud to offer our customers great service options not only internationally, but domestically as well with flights that reach coast to coast," Juan Carlos Liscano, American's vice president of Miami hub operations, said in a statement.
This new Orange County service joins two other transcontinental routes that are launching later this year from Miami. American will add flights to Portland on Nov. 5, followed by service to Sacramento, which will take off on Dec. 20.
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Miami International Airport (MIA) has seen some impressive growth in recent months from a host of airlines, but nothing comes close to what Spirit Airlines has brought to the market.
The ultra-low-cost carrier entered Miami for the first time in October 2021, and it brought low fares to 30 new nonstop destinations.
While Spirit now goes head-to-head against American on many routes, the Fort Worth-based carrier is also up against some formidable competition from the nascent joint-venture partnership between Delta Air Lines and South American juggernaut LATAM.
Those two carriers officially combined forces in late 2019, pulling LATAM from American and the Oneworld alliance. Now that the tie-up has been approved by regulators, Delta and LATAM are well on their way to turning Miami into a gateway hub for access to Latin America — a region that American used to dominate.
Nevertheless, American is still the dominant market leader in Miami, with around 380 peak daily departures this winter. (In July, American unveiled a big expansion in Miami, adding eight new routes and one new international destination.)
On the West Coast,
Delta Unveils New Domestic Routes to West Coast Beaches, National Parks, and Mountain Towns
If you’re already thinking ahead to next summer, you’re not alone. Recently, Delta announced a slew of new, returning, and expanded flight routes, many from its Atlanta hub to popular destinations in the American West, slated to kick off in summer 2024.
Lufthansa Is Adding These New North America Routes for 2024
Lufthansa, the largest air carrier in Europe, is betting demand for European holidays will still be high next year with its latest expansion announcement.
The best times to visit Florida to get more from the Sunshine State
With spectacular year-round sunshine, never-ending entertainment and action-packed activities, there’s certainly no bad time to visit Florida. But depending on your interests and what you’re trying to find (or avoid) when you get here, there’s likely to be a “best time” to come.
Michelin Guide Adds 15 New York City Additions
New York City is home to 73 Michelin Star restaurants, with a new batch of awards due this fall. Before the official ceremony on November 7, the world renowned guide has announced a batch of 15 new restaurants that can be up for stars or Bib Gourmand recognition this coming year.
Breeze triples down on Florida and adds new routes — and teases international destinations
Breeze Airways is doubling down on what it knows works best. And then some.
What It's Like To Take a Cross-Country Astrophotography Odyssey by Van
Taking a year off and traveling cross country is a dream many never actually get to live out. Those who procrastinate, and explain away their road trip reluctance, often do so by citing real-life responsibilities and jobs. Taking a year-long vacation would mean neglecting a career. But what if you could do both? That’s what aspiring astrophotographer Anthony DeSantis did when he embarked on a one-year vanlife trip across the US — in a van he built himself — with the goal of turning his passion into a career.
Hilton rolls out plan to add 20,000 Tesla chargers across 2,000 North American hotels
There's planned refueling taking place at more than the breakfast stations at Hilton hotels across the U.S., Canada and Mexico in the coming years.
A disabled US Army vet wants 'accountability' from American Airlines after they just gave him free miles when he hurt his knee on a seat that wasn't all the way up during landing
A disabled United States Army veteran wants "accountability" from American Airlines after he says he hurt his knee aboard a recent flight thanks to a seat that was not back in the upright position during landing.
TSA PreCheck adds four carriers to program, bringing total to 90 participating airlines
Flyers who don't want to deal with the hassle of long security lines and happen to be flying with Cayman Airways, French Bee, Titan Airways or Zipair are in luck.
Exciting new airline routes from August 2023 and beyond
Here at TPG, we keep you informed about all the changes and developments in the travel industry.
Pleasant Holidays, Journese Add New Middle East and Africa River Cruises
WHY IT RATES: Pleasant Holidays and its luxury brand, Journese, has added new Egypt, Jordan and Nile river cruise itineraries that can be customized to include such iconic destinations as Cairo, Luxor, Amman, Petra and the Dead Sea. — Laurie Baratti, TravelPulse Associate Writer