WASHINGTON -- Three of the top four performing airlines are low-fare carriers like the Vacation Express that recently took flight at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, according to a national Airline Quality Rating study released here this week. The 14th annual study ranking the 14 largest U.S. airlines puts Jet Blue as the No. 1 one ranked airline.In 1991, low-fare carriers only had about 4% of the market share. Today, low-fare carriers have about 25% of market share. That number could climb to nearly 40% in the next few years."The low-fare carriers are definitely solid in their ability to attract passengers, and it shows in the market share gains that they're making," says Dean Headley, associate professor of marketing at Wichita State University, co-researcher of the annual rankings.Alaska was No. 2, followed by Southwest, America West, US Airways, Northwest, Continental, AirTran, United, ATA, American, Delta, American Eagle and Atlantic Southeast. Airlines rated for the first time are Jet Blue, AirTran, ATA and Atlantic Southeast.The overall airline industry performed slightly better in 2003 than in 2002, thanks to a significant drop in customer complaints. Of the 10 carriers rated in both 2002 and 2003, only American Airlines and US Airways had a decline in their AQR scores.Concurrently, Hooters Air, Myrtle Beach, S.C., announced plans to expand flight operations to six days per week from Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, Ohio, to Atlanta beginning May 4. President Mark Peterson says Hooters will use its specially configured 737s with dark blue leather seats and extra leg room on this route. Flights will be offered most days between these cities with fares from $99. Locally, Vacation Express is offering a two-for-one sale for tickets to and from the Wilkes Barre/Scranton airport in eastern Pennsylvania if purchased online from April 11 to 30 (read story). The low-cost airline launched service from the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport to Orlando, Fla., and Myrtle Beach, S.C., on April 1.The AQR is a summary of month-by-month quality ratings for the largest domestic U.S. airlines operating during 2003. Co- researchers Headley and Brent Bowen, director and professor, University of Nebraska at Omaha Aviation Institute/School of Public Administration, used 15 elements important to consumers when judging the quality of airline service.Other major industry findings in this year's research study include:Overall airline quality improved for the third consecutive year.Airline performance declined slightly in the areas of on-time arrivals, involuntary denied boardings and mishandled baggage.Customer complaints in 2003 dropped by nearly 50% compared to 2002.Northwest was the most improved airline in 2003.The mishandled baggage rate for American Eagle was more than double the industry rate.Jet Blue was easily the top-rated airline in fewest denied boardings, and second in on-time performance and fewest customer complaints. "