Looking for quality? Fly low-cost

If you’re flying in the States over the holiday period go low-cost. America’s budget carriers topped the rankings of U.S. airlines for being on-time and handling luggage. Bigger airlines such as American Airlines brought up the rear, according to a new study on airline quality.

Hawaiian Airlines was rated best (with 92%) in Wichita State University’s report at being on-time for the January – June period. AirTran Airways triumphed at handling baggage, and Southwest Airlines had the fewest customer complaints, at one for every 300,000 customers.

American Airlines was the worst in on-time performance, at just 63%. United Airlines had the highest rate of customer complaints, seven times more than Southwest).

American Eagle was the worst baggage handler, mishandling luggage more than three times as often as AirTran.

Click here to read more report findings. For more information on airline ratings and to write your own flight review click here.

Photo: Hawaiian Airlines Kioea Boeing 767-3G5 by Cubbie_n_Vegas via Flickr (Creative Commons)

How to…. Join the Mile High Club

Keen to join the Mile High club, but lack the cash for one of Singapore Airline’s double bed suites? One blogger at Melbourne’s The Age has come up with four ways to get your wings.

Here’s a summary of the suggestions:

The Richard Branson Method

Splash the cash on private jets and charter flights.

The Commercial Couple

Grab your partner, wait for the lights to dim and head to the back of the plane.

The One-Flight Stand

You win the check-in lottery and sit next to a hottie with the hots for you.

Going First Class

The way to go if you do have cash to splash. Private cabins.

no mile high club by spcoon via Flickr (Creative Commons)