Continental Airlines and Delta Air Lines followed Alaska Airlines among traditional carriers. Southwest Airlines and WestJet, a Canadian airline, followed JetBlue among the top low-cost carriers in the North American Airline Satisfaction Study.
US Airways and AirTran Airways were at the bottom of their respective surveys.
Qantas boosts A380 flights
Australia's Qantas Airways is increasing service on its Airbus A380 super jumbo jet for flights between LAX and Sydney.
The number of A380 flights will rise to four from three a week starting Aug. 6 and the flights will be offered on a daily basis beginning in November. Qantas, the largest A380 operator, expects to receive its fourth A380 aircraft by the end of this month and its fifth and sixth planes by November. It began flying the world's largest passenger jet in October.
The airline also plans to increase A380 service between LAX and Melbourne to three from two times a week. Qantas, the busiest foreign carrier at LAX, sometimes has six departures a day, mostly on Boeing 747 jumbo jets.
The airline said travelers were picking flights that operate the A380 partly because of the novelty. "It's a new piece of technology. For a lot of people who are enthusiasts, it's also bragging rights," spokesman Mike Abraham said.
Business travelers also laud the plane for its quietness and comfort. The plane can seat as many as 550 passengers, but Qantas has configured the plane to have 450 seats.
"The Qantas A380 has received exceptional feedback from our customers," said Wally Mariani, the airline's senior executive vice president for the Americas.
Carry-ons
American Airlines rolls out new china, cutlery and wineglasses with a "tulip-shaped globe" for its first-class and business-class passengers. . . . Philadelphia is launching a "With Love" tourism campaign asking 5,000 residents to send postcards to friends and family inviting them to visit the city and stay at a hotel. . . . Delta Air Lines SkyMiles credit card holders who sign up for the promotion will earn double miles on any Delta or Northwest Airlines flights before year's end.
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peter.pae@latimes.com
