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  • Commercial aviation helps drive more than 10M American jobs and 5 cents of every dollar of U.S. GDP

  • Commercial aviation drives more than $1 trillion per year in economic activity

  • U.S. airlines move 50,000 tons of cargo per day

  • In 2011, the average value of a kilogram of U.S. merchandise exported by air was 117 times the value exported by sea

  • For every 100 airline jobs, some 360 are supported outside of the airline industry

  • Federal taxes constitute $61 – or 20% – of the price of a typical $300 domestic round-trip ticket

  • From 2000-2010, U.S. airlines carried 15% more traffic while using 2.1 billion fewer gallons of fuel

  • Domestically, airlines drive 5% of economic activity but account for 2% of man-made GHG emissions

  • From 2000-2010, airlines reduced GHG emissions by 10% while transporting 15% more passengers and cargo

  • From 1975-2010, the number of U.S. residents exposed to significant noise levels fell 95%

  • Commercial air travel is the safest form of intercity transportation in the United States

  • In the most recent decade, scheduled air service on U.S. airlines was seven times safer than in the 1970s

  • From 2000-2010, U.S. airlines improved the on-time arrival rate from 72.6% to 79.8%

  • From 2000-2010, U.S. airlines halved the flight cancellation rate from 3.30% to 1.76%

  • Airfares are a bargain: From 2000-2010, U.S. CPI rose 27% while average domestic fare (excl. taxes) rose just 1%

  • Adjusted for inflation, the average round-trip domestic fare in 2010 fell 21% (from $398 to $316) compared to 2000

  • 2007 domestic flight delays cost the United States approximately $31 billion

  • In 2011, the value of U.S. merchandise exported by air reached an all-time high of $424B

  • In 2011, U.S. exports of air-travel services reached an all-time high of $36.7B, driving the largest trade surplus in this category since 1992

  • In 2011, U.S. passenger and cargo airlines spent $50.5B on fuel, up $11.7B ($32M/day) from 2010

  • In 2011, U.S. airlines posted the lowest annual rate of mishandled baggage ever recorded

  • In 2011, U.S. airlines posted the lowest annual rate of involuntary denied boardings ever recorded

  • In 4Q 2011, U.S. airlines posted the second-lowest quarterly on-time arrival rate ever recorded

  • FAA projects U.S. air travel demand to top 1 billion passengers in 2024

  • In 2011, US airlines flew 80 million passengers in scheduled international service- a record high

  • In 2011, US airlines flew at 241.2 billion revenue passenger miles in scheduled international service- a record high

  • In 2011, US airlines operated 299.9 billion available seat miles in scheduled international service- a record high

Customers - Passenger

Customers queued at ticket desk

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>> Passenger
The airline industry is committed to providing quality customer service to the several million passengers who travel daily – safely, efficiently and economically. Good customer service assures returning customers, and we know that customer satisfaction is a clear sign that the business is operating smoothly and efficiently. This section provides useful reference information for passengers for planning, preparation and travel, as well as passenger-related regulatory and governmental activities. Passenger travel tips, special information related to traveling with pets and other information is included, as well as the A4A member customer service commitments.
 
Traveling with Batteries & Electronics
Information to assist passengers in traveling with battery-powered devices. 
 
Passenger Travel Tips
This resource page is available to assist passengers as they plan and prepare to depart for travel.
 
Air Travel for Your Pet
document is designed to provide general guidelines to assist customers with safely transporting their pets by air. 

A4A Members Deliver Best First-Quarter On-Time Performance (5/14/2012)
A4A today reported the best industry on-time performance for the first three months of the year and the best baggage-handling performance for any March ever recorded.
A4A Forecasts Record Summer International Air Travel (5/9/2012)
A4A today said passengers can expect full flights this summer in part to a record number of people traveling internationally and an improving economy.
A4A Members Deliver Further Operational Improvements with On-Time Performance, Baggage Handling Records (4/12/2012)
A4A today reported the best industry on-time performance for any February and the best baggage handling performance for any month ever recorded.
A4A Testimony by Tom Hendricks, SVP for Safety, Security and Operations Before the Subcommittee on Homeland Security, Senate Appropriations Committee (3/21/2012)
A4A emphasized the importance of travel to the U.S. economy, urging the adoption of a national travel-and-tourism strategy including visa reform, expansion of the Visa Waiver Program and TSA’s PreCheck program and increased CBP staffing at major airports.
A4A Urges Holistic Approach to Tax, Regulatory Challenges (3/19/2012)
A4A today called on the U.S. government to reform federal taxes and regulations to enable U.S. airlines to compete globally on a level playing field and help grow the country’s economy.
A4A Members Set Two Operational Records in January (3/15/2012)
A4A today reported the best industry on-time performance and the lowest rate of mishandled bags for any January.
U.S. Airlines Post Lower Earnings in 2011 Due to Rising Costs (2/28/2012)
A4A today announced that the largest U.S. airlines earned a combined $390 million in 2011 or less than half a penny on every $1 of revenue generated for the year and that this underscores the need for a National Airline Policy.
U.S. Airlines Set New Records for On-Time Performance, Customer Service (2/14/2012)
A4A today reported the best performance ever in 2011 for three key customer-service metrics, including the best on-time arrival rate for any fourth quarter in history.
A4A Says White House Budget Proposal Would Offset Deficit on Backs of Airline Customers (2/13/2012)
A4A said the White House budget proposal to offset the deficit on the backs of airline customers by adding even more tax increases, would impact demand for air travel and ultimately cost jobs and service to communities.
A4A Commends President Obama for Efforts to Improve U.S. Visa Application (1/19/2012)
A4A issued a statement in support of President Obama’s efforts, announced today, to improve visa processing times for Brazil and China.
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The U.S. aviation system is the largest and most extensive aviation system in the world.

What the Experts Say:
"The top priority of America's airlines is the safety of our passengers and crew, and we are pleased to be a part of the important FAA educational awareness campaign, encouraging parents to help keep our smallest passengers safe with approved child safety seats.”
Nicholas E. Calio, president and CEO, A4A

​FAA press release

05/15/2012
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