Percentage of filled airline seats higher

Airline experts say the industry is rebounding from the recession partly by limiting the number of new planes they add while the number of passengers continues to rise. As a result, the percentage of seats filled on each flighthas reached the highest levels in at least 10 years.

According to U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Hawaiian Airlines operated with an 85.49 percent load factor in the first half of 2010 - the highest of any airline.

Airline spokesman Keoni Wagner said the rate is a sign of strong demand and loyalty by its customers. Hawaiian has had the best on-time performance in the industry for the past two years, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. United Airlines was second with an 84.24 percent load factor; Delta Air Lines (83.96) followed.