Failing to regain ground lost during last year’s industrial disputes, Qantas has fallen behind Virgin Australia in domestic airline satisfaction.

According to the latest Roy Morgan report, for the three months to September 2012, Virgin led Australian carriers in customer satisfaction with a 84.7 percent approval rating followed by Qantas with 80.2 percent.

The study found the Flying Kangaroo's satisfaction ratings “dropped quite sharply” after it grounded its fleet in the wake of last year's industrial disputes, which impacted the travel plans of up to 80,000 passengers.

Roy Morgan international director of tourism, travel and leisure, Jane Ianniello, said last year’s events allowed Virgin to “capitalise” on Qantas’ troubles.

“Virgin Australia has enjoyed strong growth in domestic customer satisfaction in the September quarter despite the cancellation of some domestic flights in August and September to maintain its load factors,” Ms Ianniello said.

“In addition to capitalising on the Qantas industrial dispute in October 2011, Virgin Australia also launched its new brand in mid-2011 and its new Business Class in 2012.”

The poll also revealed that the approval rating for low cost carrier, Tiger Airways, jumped to 76.3 percent (from 64.6 percent).