Fly Time

If you’re flying out of CLT, more than half the time you’re jetting out on US Airways. But is bigger always better? Here’s a breakdown of on-time percentage and fees for the airport’s four largest carriers

US Airways *Number of passengers: 17,442,000 **On-time percentage: Arrivals: 82% Departures: 81% ***Pet fee: $100 Curbside check-in: $2 First checked bag fee: $15 Second checked bag fee: $25 Beverage/snack packet: $2/$5 Meal: $7

Delta Number of passengers: 708,000 On-time percentage: Arrivals: 77% Departures: 88% Pet fee: $150-$275 Curbside check-in: $3 First checked bag fee: free Second checked bag fee: $50 Beverage/snack packet: free Meal: $4-$10

AirTran Number of passengers: 566,000 On-time percentage: Arrivals: 71% Departures: 78% Pet fee: $69 Curbside check-in: free First checked bag fee: free Second checked bag fee: $25 Beverage/snack packet: free Meal: none served

Northwest Number of passengers: 504,000 On-time percentage: Arrivals: 67% Departures: 83% Pet fee: $80-$359 Curbside check-in: $2 First checked bag fee: $15 Second checked bag fee: $25 Beverage/snack packet: free/$3-$5 Meal: $7-$10

 
* Passenger and share figures are from July 2007-June 2008. Note: Mesa Air, which is not listed here, is a joint venture between US Airways, Delta, and United and has a 10% share at CLT.

** On-time percentage totals from January-August 2008 Source: U.S Department of Transportation

*** Fees as of 9/15/08 according to FareCompare.com