6. Discussion and Managerial Implications
Our results indicate that the level of satisfaction with overall airline quality, airline personnel at
gates and while boarding aircraft, aircraft cleanliness and aircraft appearance actually decreases
the more passengers fly. Does familiarity breed contempt or are airlines missing some key part of
the service equation? The frequent flyer, who represents the bulk of airline profits, is NOT
satisfied with the service offered and yet this is the group that receives the most attention in
terms of service – larger seats, better meals, free drinks, private lounges, better entertainment
offerings, etc. Still, this is consistent with several previous studies that show that U.S. airlines
continue to disappoint frequent-flyer passengers’ needs and expectations (Air Transport World,
1997). In addition, while frequent flyers’ levels of satisfaction were lower than those of
occasional flyers, the level of importance frequent travelers attributed to airline amenities such as
in-flight factors (legroom and comfortable seats), the availability of upgrades and increased
flight frequency was higher than occasional flying passengers. Of course, the more time an
individual spends in the airport or on the airplane, the more important another inch of legroom or
a shorter layover may become.