After two bruising years, the airline industry is beginning to take flight again, according to a new survey that found passengers are flying more often and are more likely to pay a premium for direct flights than last year.

A Zagat survey of 8,007 frequent fliers found that each traveler questioned will take an average of 17.4 flights this year — up from 16.6 in 2009 and 16.3 in 2008. But still off the high-water mark of 19.7 in 2007.

Of those surveyed, 55 percent said the fare is extremely important in choosing flights.