According to a recent study done by JD Power and Associates, airline satisfaction is at the highest point is has seen in three years.  There is no doubt that with increased security, tightened rules and restrictions regarding everything from luggage to whether or not you can reenter the terminal quickly after stepping out to smoke, there are many reasons why passengers have started to experience more frustrations in recent years.  So, with so many complaints in recent times, why are flyers suddenly more satisfied?

At first glance, these results can be more than a little shocking. After all, we are being charged more for bags, we can’t bring on many liquid products, and most flights aren’t even offering meals anymore.  Sure, the food was never really great, but it was one of those little comforts we all grew to expect.  Yet it would seem that passengers are happier without them all of a sudden, even in the face of ever-rising ticket prices.  Believe it or not, researchers are suggesting that airlines haven’t really made any improvements in this time period, but that instead passengers are finally becoming accustomed to the changes.

If you stop to think about it, a basic summary of the statement would be as follows: The airline travel situation declined rapidly after September 11th, and while changes were necessary, they created frustration.  The situation grew worse and restrictions got tighter for a few years, until they hit a plateau.  Now, in 2010, as regulations remain the same, passengers are simply happy that the travel experience hasn’t gotten any worse.

It is kind of crazy when you think of it like that, but in essence this is what has happened.  Customers are satisfied with restrictions and regulations simply staying the same.  Instead of demanding more comforts and new services, we are just happy that none are being taken away from us.

None of this is intended as political commentary, but simply as an observation.  The airlines are still doing their jobs, getting us from point A to point B, and they are doing it at higher costs and with fewer frills, yet passengers are increasingly happy with it.  Perhaps people are starting to believe that we had too many frills and benefits to start with, or perhaps we are just starting to realize that it is a privilege to fly the friendly skies at all.

Whatever the reason, it is certainly a big benefit to airlines that passengers are more satisfied with their services.  The industry took a big toll after 9-11 between grounded flights and a sense of true fear among passengers.  The improved reputation is a sign that things are going in a more positive direction for the industry and certainly fills many with the hope that parking reservations and empty seats will again be hard to find in the near future.  Provided that the airlines use this satisfaction to continue meeting the needs of passengers rather than as a reason to hike prices yet again, it could prove to be the factor that helps to save the airline industry at last.