Air Survey Controversy Continues

Northwest Airlines admits that it is “surprising a lot of people” with its claim to be the nation’s most punctual airline. And no one is more surprised by Northwest’s boast than the people at Pan Am.

Northwest, citing a new government survey, is bragging in newspaper ads that it has the best on-time record of “the seven largest airlines.” That is surprising, because the government survey really shows that eighth-largest Pan Am had the best on-time record. Northwest came out in second place.

Northwest said it shoved aside Pan Am because it is too small to consider a serious competitor--an explanation that has Pan Am fuming. “That’s pretty arrogant,” retorted Pan Am spokesman Alan Loflin.

Actually, it’s becoming a pattern. Last month, USAir trampled over Pan Am to boast that it was the most punctual of the industry’s “seven largest carriers.” USAir relied on U.S. Department of Transportation statistics for May, figures that are updated monthly. Northwest is using Transportation Department figures for June, the most recent available.

The Transportation Department had no comment on how its surveys are being used. USAir stood by its claim. “We think it was very accurate at the time,” said spokeswoman Agnes Huff, “given all the conditions we put on it.”