Airlines’ Change in Altitude Could Ease Flight Delays

In a travel season rife with late arrivals and canceled flights, several airlines have begun flying at lower altitudes, trading fuel efficiency for on-time arrivals.

The Federal Aviation Administration more than a year ago gave airlines approval to operate some short flights--up to 500 miles--between 8,000 feet and 23,000 feet. But airlines had resisted until recently because flying through denser air at lower altitudes burns more fuel.

But with thousands of flight delays drawing the ire of travelers and the eye of federal regulators, more airlines are turning to this quick fix.

Some 670 million Americans will fly this year, up 20 million from a year ago--an increase that is taxing the system and could not have been foreseen, Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater said.

The FAA reported more than 44,000 flight delays in July alone, and that was an improvement from June. Delays have been attributed to increased numbers of travelers, bad weather and--at least for one airline--labor disagreements.

Though it costs more in fuel, airline officials say the low-altitude routes allow them to complete more flights on time, cutting the need for relief crews.

Because flight patterns at high-altitude, fuel-saving routes have become congested, low-altitude arrival-departure routes--called “ladder” flights--are designed to allow planes to “get off the ground instead of waiting in queue,” said FAA spokesman Paul Turk.

Northwest Airlines, TWA, Delta Air Lines, Continental and US Airways tested the routes in some cities this spring.

Lower-altitude flights do raise some concerns about increased turbulence because of air currents interacting with the ground, said Michael Barr, director of aviation safety at USC and a former Air Force fighter pilot.

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Lower Routes to Faster Service

To offer improved on-time service during one of the most delay-ridden summers, airlines are beginning to cruise at lower altitudes where there is less traffic.

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Sources: Federal Aviation Administration, Associated Press