The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that Canada's two biggest airlines scored below average for customer satisfaction for economy class service among major North American carriers, according to a new survey. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe says that WestJet notched a customer satisfaction figure of 777 on a 1,000-point scale, edging out Air Canada, which scored 765. However, both were below the average economy class score of 782 in a poll by J.D. Power. Pricier fares, crowded planes and fewer flight options were behind the frustration -- but demand remains strong nonetheless. As a result, carriers yielded higher revenues this year after a prolonged industry slump prompted by the pandemic, he said. Many are running at "peak efficiency," though higher labour and fuel costs compared with 2019 have hampered profit margins. North America is not exempt from a global pilot shortage, which partly explains why fewer planes ply the skies compared with four years ago. Some airlines have ditched smaller planes, trying to pack in as many passengers as possible per flight. Meanwhile, the surge in leisure travel after two years under border restrictions and COVID-19 health concerns has pushed prices north.