Date of Award

9-2017

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Aviation Sciences

Department

Aeronautics

First Advisor

John Deaton

Second Advisor

Deborah Carstens

Third Advisor

Scott Winter

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to identify factors that influence a commercial airline passenger’s preference between low-cost and legacy airline carriers. In turn a prediction model of passenger preference was created for American travelers. The study utilized a correlational design with linear multiple regression analyses as the statistical analyses to build the prediction model. The study was conducted in two stages utilizing two independent samples totaling 936 participants (379 females), all from the United States. Data from the first sample was used to create the regression equation for passenger preference. Data from the second sample was used to test the regression equation and thereby validate the prediction model. Each stage conducted backward stepwise regression analyses on the independent samples using the same instrument. Nine factors were selected to be tested to determine whether they had a significant influence on passenger preference between airline types. These nine factors were age, gender, income,

education level, seat type, type of travel, frequency of travel, category of frequent flier program, and risk-taking tendencies. The results of this study suggested that frequency of travel, income, seat type, and education level significantly predict an American passenger’s preference between low cost and legacy carriers. Despite certain limitations, the study has several practical benefits specifically for the commercial airline industry and provides a foundation for future research in this field.

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