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Packed planes

Marketplace Staff Jul 6, 2006
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Packed planes

Marketplace Staff Jul 6, 2006
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TEXT OF STORY

SCOTT JAGOW: If you look up in the sky this summer, you might wonder whether that’s an airplane or a sardine can flying by. Annie Baxter reports.

ANNIE BAXTER: Continental and United airlines stuffed their planes to roughly 85% capacity in June.

This summer, many airlines have dropped routes and cut flights to battle high fuel prices. And with demand for air travel unchanged, airlines have been able to ratchet up fare prices and boost revenue in the process.

But Airline analyst Bob Mann says the strategy could also bring trouble.

BOB MANN: Airlines have a difficult time ahead of them maintaining perception of customer service standards, while everyone is more or less seething over how full the airplane is.

Still, Mann doubts legacy carriers are less appealing to business travelers as a consequence. He says those carriers already lost a lot of allure when they ditched perks like pillows and meals.

I’m Annie Baxter for Marketplace.

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