China travel's upgrade potential

U.S. airlines are locked in a four-way battle over what may be the most lucrative travel destination in history — China. That's good news for Americans who trek often to China and other parts of Asia.

But better news for biz travelers would be if U.S. airlines took this opportunity to mimick their eastern counterparts.

Million milers who work in China report much better service at airports in Asia, compared to stateside airports. Terry Green, director of Asia sales for semiconductor company Validity Sensors, says it took him four times longer to get from his flight to a cab in the U.S. than in China.

"I recently took a flight from La Guardia to Boston that left on time and took 27 minutes. I waited at the carousel 45 minutes for my luggage in the Boston Airport,'' he says. Meanwhile, at the Changi Airport in Singapore, landing, going through immigration, picking up luggage, changing money and getting into a taxi took just 12 minutes. "If the so-called third world countries can do this, why can't we?'' Green says.

Service gap

Maybe the discrepancy is due to higher security at U.S. airports? Green doesn't think so. His recent airport time comparison took place after the ban on liquids and gels was softened (the ban was blamed for causing more delays at baggage claim because more travelers had to check bags containing restricted articles.)

In addition, he says flights within Asia are full, as are U.S. flights. But there the service is much better.

He says the reason is related more to how the two countries view service. "In the States, we are just not good at service organization.'' He may have something there. According to Skytrax Research, the Nielsen of airline and airport ratings, five of the top seven-ranked airlines are Asian, and six of the top 10 airports are located in Asian capitals.

What's your view on this? Write to me at bboydstoncorrea@yahoo.com.