Airline satisfaction falls as hotels and restaurants improve

According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index, travelers are slightly less satisfied with airline service than one year ago, but happier with restaurant and hotel values. University of Michigan researchers who have compiled the ACSI since 1995 collected airline data that show a 1.5% drop in satisfaction from this time last year. Southwest remains the highest-rated airline at 74%. USAir made the biggest jump since last year, improving 8.8%. Hotels are rated 2.7% higher than a year ago, with Hilton heading the satisfaction list. Limited-service restaurants earned a 77% rating as a group, up 1.3% from last year.