About US Airways – US Airways was a major US airline that ceased to exist in October 2015 after merging with American Airlines, US Airways operated an extensive international and domestic network with over 193 destinations in 24 countries in North America, South America, Europe and the Middle East.
Is US Airways the same as American Airlines?
American Airlines – IATA/ICAO Code: AA/AAL Airline Type: Full Service Carrier Hub(s): Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Miami International Airport, New York JFK Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Year Founded: 1926 Alliance: oneworld CEO: Robert Isom Country: United States
American Airlines and US Airways merged in 2013, leading to the retirement of the US Airways brand. The merger brought together two of the oldest airlines in the United States, And it created the world’s largest airline at the time. This article looks back at the two airlines before they merged, the details of the merger, and its challenges.
Is US Airways still flying?
US Airways
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/td> Founded 1937 (as All American Aviation ) Commenced operations March 7, 1939 Ceased operations October 17, 2015 (merged into American Airlines ) AOC # AALA025A Hubs
- Charlotte (1989—2015)
- Las Vegas (2007—2008)
- Philadelphia (1980—2015)
- Phoenix—Sky Harbor (2007—2015)
- Pittsburgh (1979—2004)
- Washington—National (2011—2015)
- Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood
- New York–LaGuardia
- Star Alliance (2004—2014)
- Oneworld (affiliate; 2014—2015)
- MetroJet (1998—2001)
- US Airways Express (1989—2015)
- US Airways Shuttle (1992—2015)
US Airways (formerly USAir ) was a major United States airline that operated from 1937 until its merger with American Airlines in 2015. It was originally founded in Pittsburgh as a mail delivery airline called All American Aviation, which soon became a commercial passenger airline.
In 1953, it was renamed Allegheny Airlines and operated under that name for a quarter-century. In October 1979, after the passage of the Airline Deregulation Act, Allegheny Airlines changed its name to USAir. A decade later it had acquired Piedmont Airlines and Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA), and was one of the U.S.’s seven transcontinental legacy carriers,
In 1997, it rebranded as US Airways. The airline had an extensive international and domestic network, with 193 destinations in 24 countries in North America, South America, Europe, and the Middle East. The airline was a member of the Star Alliance, before becoming an affiliate member of Oneworld in March 2014.
US Airways had 343 mainline jets, as well as 278 regional jet and turboprops flown by contract and subsidiary airlines under the name US Airways Express via code sharing agreements. The airline had severe financial difficulties in the early 2000s, filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy twice in two years. In 2005, America West Airlines carried out a reverse merger, acquiring the assets and branding of the larger US Airways while putting the America West leadership team largely in charge of the merged airline.
In 2013, American Airlines and US Airways announced plans to merge, creating the largest airline in the world, The holding companies of American and US Airways merged effective December 9, 2013. The combined airline carried the American Airlines name and branding and maintained the existing US Airways hubs for a period of at least five years under the terms of a settlement with the Department of Justice and several state attorneys general.
US Airways management runs the combined airline from the American headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas, On April 8, 2015, the FAA officially granted a single operating certificate for both carriers, marking the end of US Airways as an independent carrier. The brand continued to exist until October 2015.
Its first hub was in Pittsburgh, and it operated hubs in Charlotte, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, and Washington–Reagan, The final US Airways flight was San Francisco to Philadelphia via Phoenix and Charlotte, operating as Flight 1939 with 1939 commemorating the birth of All American Aviation, which eventually became US Airways.
Why did US Airways fail?
In the years following the 2000s US Airways faced massive financial issues. On May 24, 2000, US Airways declared a proposal to be absorbed by the UAL Corp. for $4.3 billion. UAL Corp., at that time, was the most significant commercial carrier in the world and is the parent company of United Airlines.
- However, this acquisition was heavily objected to by multiple parties such as antitrust regulators, consumer advocates, and labor unions.
- This resulted in the stalling of negotiation of the deal, which caused both parties to lose money.
- Finally, the federal government blocked the deal between the two parties, and UAL Corp.
withdrew from their deals on July 27, 2001. This meant that UAL Corp. had to pay a penalty of $50 million for backing off from the deal. 
A journey towards Honolulu became disastrous for one woman on a US Airways plane between Honolulu to Phoenix Following the terrorist attacks on the USA on September 11, US Airways business was hugely affected. The terrorist attacks resulted in an extended shutdown of the Washington National Airport, which negatively impacted US Airways, which was the airport’s largest carrier.
- This resulted in US Airways facing a substantial financial disaster, which caused the airport’s termination of the MetroJet network.
- This financial disaster also caused US Airways to furlough thousands of its employees and close down its subsidiary’s main operating base at the Baltimore-Washington International Airport.
On August 11, 2002, the Airlines was forced to enter a Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the resulting year. US Airways were able to gain loans from the government via the Air Transportation Stabilization Board. With this, the US Airways were finally able to exit their bankruptcy in the year 2003.
However, the US Airways were again forced to file for a Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2004 just in 2 years. In 2005, US Airlines finally managed to merge with America West Airlines. Following the merger, the headquarters of the US Airways was moved to Tempe, Arizona, in the former corporate office of America West.
The two airlines merged their operations under a single brand of US Airways due to their global recognition. However, the operations of these merged airlines were not unified until the year 2008. In 2006, US Airways launched a failed bid for the acquisition of Delta Airlines. 
US Airways Flight 1549 at Carolinas Aviation Museum : Credit Michael Licko However, in June of 2007, based on the surveys of the Consumer Reports of nearly 23,000 readers for customer satisfaction, US Airways was ranked as the worst airline. The year 2007 also saw the termination of in-flight entertainment services for the domestic routes.
- Following the year 2008, US Airways also stopped the free drinks services, but this service was quickly resumed in March 2009.
- However, seeing customers’ low satisfaction rates, the US Airways strived to fix the various problems and issues.
- After a time-span of more than a year, US Airways finally fixed its various issues and problems in 2008.
US Airways saw an increase in the airlines’ performances, with it being one of the best legacy carriers in the country. The airlines saw the best arrival and departure times among the US’s various major airlines and became the best primary carrier in the country.
- The University of Michigan’s annual American Customer Satisfaction Index on April 25, 2008, still ranked US Airways last on customer satisfaction.
- However, the airlines had shown significant improvement when compared to the past.
- On April 25, 2008, US Airways was keen on merging its operations with other significant airlines, namely, United Airlines or American Airlines.
This was partially triggered by the recent merging of Northwest Airlines and Delta Airlines. On April 28, 2008, it was reported that US Airways would finally announce their intention to merge with United Airlines in the following two weeks. However, this talk about the merging never came through and was formally ended in May 2008.
Following the years, the airline saw a positive change and was starting to turn profits. On April 7, 2010, reports from The New York Times indicated that US Airways was still an in-depth discussion with United Airlines for a possible merger. Nevertheless, this was finally ended several weeks later on April 22, 2010, with United Airlines instead opting to merge with Continental Airlines.
Following the year 2011, US Airways was finally able to earn the top spot in the Airline Quality Rating (AQR) and was among the “Big-five” hub-and-spoke carriers. US Airways was still looking out to merge with one of the three major carriers in the US: American Airlines, Delta Airlines, or United Airlines.
Shortly after, in January 2012, US Airways showed considerable interest in acquiring American Airlines, facing bankruptcy. US Airways officially announced the merger with American Airlines on December 7, 2012. The merger proposal was approved by the Bankruptcy judge and came to fruition. It was decided that the merged airlines of these two airlines would keep the brand name of American Airlines.
It was also decided that it would base its operation in the American Airline’s hometown in Fort Worth, Texas. This resulted in the brand name of US Airways being discontinued. This was decided on July 13, 2015, and shortly after, on October 17, 2015, the final flight of the US Airways was flown.
Who bought US Airways?
Home Politics, Law & Government Banking & Business Alternate titles: All American Airways, Inc., All American Aviation, Inc., Allegheny Airlines, Inc., USAir, Inc. Written and fact-checked by US Airways, formerly All American Aviation, Inc. (1937–48), All American Airways, Inc.
- 1948–53), Allegheny Airlines, Inc.
- 1953–79), and USAir, Inc.
- 1979–97), former American airline that was incorporated on March 5, 1937, as All American Aviation, Inc.
- It underwent numerous name changes before becoming US Airways in 1997.
- In 2015, two years after announcing plans to merge with American Airlines, the carrier flew its last flight.
The company began service in 1939 as a mail carrier over the mountainous regions of Pennsylvania and West Virginia, It initiated passenger service in 1949 and expanded in subsequent decades to include a network of routes primarily serving cities and towns located in the northeastern quadrant of the United States, from the Midwest to the Atlantic coast.
In 1968 the carrier merged with Lake Central Airlines, Inc. (which was founded in 1947 as Turner Airlines and adopted the Lake Central name in 1950), which flew routes radiating from Indianapolis, Indiana, In 1972 it merged with Mohawk Airlines, Inc. (which was founded in 1945 as Robinson Airlines and adopted the Mohawk name in 1952), which flew commuter routes within New York state.
In 1987 the company bought Pacific Southwest Airlines, which had routes along the southern half of the West Coast. A more-important acquisition in the same year was that of Piedmont Aviation, Inc. (founded in 1940), a large airline serving the east-central United States and based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina,
- US Airways merged with America West Holdings in 2005, with the latter assuming the US Airways name on its flights and equipment.
- In early 2013 US Airways agreed to merge with American Airlines in a deal that would create the largest U.S. airline.
- US Airways completed its last flight in October 2015, as the merger was finalized.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen,
When was US Airways last flight?
Tears, tales and champagne flow on US Airways’ last-ever flight 
Tearful flight attendant recalls time with US Airways As the final flight for US Airways pulled into Philadelphia, it was a time of reflection for many in the company, including one tearful flight attendant. PHILADELPHIA – The US Airways name went out with a sentimental bang in the wee hours of Saturday morning. Flight 1939,, left San Francisco a little after 10 p.m. PT Friday evening. It touched down in Philadelphia on Saturday morning at about 5:50 a.m. ET, sending the US Airways brand into the aviation history books alongside names like Pan Am, Braniff and TWA. The farewell flight was packed with both employees and long-time US Airways customers as well as a number of aviation enthusiasts. All said they couldn’t pass up the chance to “witness history.” Onboard, champagne flowed in a toast to the airline – along with tears and tales of US Airways’ past. The flight’s first two hours had a party atmosphere, though things finally calmed down around midnight PT as passengers began to nod-off on the 5-hour cross-country “red-eye” flight. On arrival to Philadelphia, a crowd of perhaps 100 or more well-wishers roared with applause as passengers left the plane just after 6 a.m. Joe and Carol Kalista of Barnesville, Pa., were among those who made a special trip to California just to be on the final flight to Philadelphia. Joe learned in July that the Oct.16 flight would end up becoming the last to fly for US Airways. “I called immediately and I was able to get on,” he says. Kalista says he’s been a loyal customer for nearly four decades, going back to the company’s days as Allegheny Air. Now retired, Kalista says he flew up to six flights a week on the airline – mostly out of Allentown and Harrisburg Pa. – during his days as an executive for an engineering firm. “Something is going away that’s part of my life USAir, US Airways and Allegheny,” Kalista says. “That’s why I booked it.” Before the flight left San Francisco, the Kalistas joined a rambunctious-but-good-spirited crowd that had gathered at Gate 45A to witness US Airways’ final departure. The biggest cheers were reserved for Ed Colodny, who was CEO of the company from 1975 through 1991. He led the 1979 rebranding from Allegheny Air to USAir amidst a broad expansion. He also helped engineer the 1980s mergers with Piedmont and Pacific Southwest. Colodny is remembered affectionately by many employees as “Uncle Ed” for the close relationship he cultivated with workers. Applause and cries of “we love you Ed!” filled the gate area as the former CEO emerged from Gate 45A after arriving on Flight 1939’s Phoenix-to-San Francisco leg. Helena Valentine of Carnegie, Pa., was among a throng of people vying for Colodny’s attention before Flight 1939 continued on from San Francisco for its final leg to Philadelphia. Now retired, Valentine worked for the company for 35 years, starting in reservations in Syracuse for Allegheny Air back in 1973. She broke down in tears as she talked with Colodny Friday evening at the gate, where she had brought a copy of the first company newsletter after the switch to the USAir name in 1979. Valentine hoped Colodny might sign it, which he happily did. “He told us that people like us made the company great,” Valentine said in explaining Colodny’s appeal to employees that worked under him. “He was a great man to work for.” Glenda Yerse of Phoenix also was on hand in San Francisco. A retired flight attendant, she had just flown in on Phoenix-San Francisco leg of Flight 1939. She dressed for the occasion, donning her Allegheny Airlines flight attendant uniform from the 1970s. “I never thought I’d get the opportunity to wear it again, but here I am,” she said Friday night in San Francisco. Like the others, she came to witness the history of US Airways’ final flight. She wasn’t taking the last leg to Philadelphia, but was pleased to be part of the spectacle. “I’m surprised at such a big turnout,” she said about the large crowd and party atmosphere at the gate. “I’m just happy to be part of this.” TWITTER :
Why is US Airways called Cactus?
6. Cactus – US Airways – The “Cactus” call sign originated with America West Airlines. Early in its history, the airline used the call sign “America West” but it often caused confusion with other airlines ending in “west” (Southwest, Northwest, Skywest). The FAA suggested that America West come up with a new call sign.
- The company held an employee contest to come up with the new name.
- Cactus was chosen.
- America West was based in Phoenix, Arizona near the Sonoran Desert – home of the giant Saguaro cactus.
- In 2006, America West merged with US Airways.
- The Cactus call sign survived the merger and all US Airways flights were soon known as “Cactus” on the radio.
Sadly, when US Airways merged with American Airlines, “Cactus” was retired. 
Did you know? UPS Airlines has used three different call signs since it became an airline in 1988.
Browntail UPSCO (2 syllables: “Ups-Co”) U-P-S (current call sign.3 syllables)
Is American Airlines doing well?
Returning to profitability American produced revenues of $13.5 billion in the third quarter, a 13% increase versus 2019 and a record for any quarter in company history.
Does American Airlines cancel a lot?
Airlines have been playing catch up following the post-pandemic slump with so many people taking to the skies this summer. As a result, thousands of flights were canceled in the first half of 2022, leaving passengers scrambling to save their vacations.
- You may be asking, “Is American Airlines still canceling flights?” Unfortunately, American flight cancellations aren’t as rare of an occurrence as passengers might hope.
- From January to May 2022, the world’s largest airline canceled 3.36% of its flights.
- That adds up to over 11,500 flight cancellations in just five months.
These cancellations also came after the airline recently stripped passenger rights from its contract with flyers. That means it’s as important as ever to know how to protect yourself if you encounter cancellations on American Airlines flights. Here’s what you need to know about what to do if your flight is canceled.
Is American airline better than United?
If you’re choosing between American vs. United, choose American – But United has a few things going for it, including its credit card perks, more legroom in economy plus and the luxurious Polaris class. Ultimately, though, your proximity to a hub airport may be enough to sway you to one over the other.
Is American a safe airline?
AirlineRatings.com has just released its annual list of the world’s 20 safest airlines, The list ranks the largest and best-known carriers—as well as the safest low-cost airlines. It’s been a rough few years for the airlines, from the massive slump in air travel caused by the pandemic to high-profile scenes like last week’s meltdown for Southwest Airlines, which canceled thousands of flights across the U.S.
During the holiday season and has sparked an investigation by the Department of Transportation. But if there’s any good news when it comes to the airlines, it’s the safety of air travel today: “I would say the airline system is incredibly safe,” says Geoffrey Thomas, editor-in-chief of AirlineRatings.com, which monitors the safety and in-flight product for 385 airlines.
AirlineRatings.com has released its annual list of the safest airlines in the world, as well as the, United States. getty “The Covid pandemic has put enormous strain on airlines across the globe with lengthy delays and flight cancellations testing even the most faithful and forgiving passengers,” says Thomas.
“From a safety perspective, airlines have done a remarkable job in getting their pilots and cabin crew to operational flying, and their maintenance engineers are the unsung heroes who have looked after the aircraft. There have been no accidents over the pandemic period attributable to Covid.” In coming up with its list, AirlineRatings.com considered a range of factors, including fleet age, serious incidents, fatalities, audits from aviation’s governing and industry bodies, industry-leading safety initiatives and more.
“Our top twenty safest airlines are all standouts in the industry and are at the forefront of safety, innovation and launching of new aircraft,” says Thomas. “In fact, the safety margins between these top twenty airlines are very small—they are all outstanding airlines.” Thomas says the site only looked at serious incidents in making its determinations.
- All airlines have incidents every day and many are aircraft manufacture issues, not airline operational problems,” says Thomas.
- It is the way the flight crew handles incidents that determines a good airline from an unsafe one.
- So just lumping all incidents together is very misleading.” Qantas Airlines has been named the safest airline in the world.
getty Coming out on top this year is Qantas, which has been named the safest airline for 2023. It replaces last year’s winner, Air New Zealand. It’s not the first time that Qantas has won: The 100-year-old Australian carrier was named the world’s safest airline from 2014 to 2017.
- In 2018, it was in the top 20 when AirlineRatings awarded 20 airlines jointly,
- Then it won again for three years in a row: 2019, 2020 and 2021,
- A number of U.S.
- Carriers also made the top 20 list.
- Alaska Airlines came in first among the U.S.
- Carriers, followed by Hawaiian Airlines, United, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
“No big surprises this year with the major airlines continuing to pour resources into their pilot training and aircraft,” says Thomas. “The burden has been far greater than normal, bringing aircraft back from storage and additional training to get pilots back to work after Covid.” AirlineRatings’ annual report also included the 20 safest low-cost airlines, with the carriers listed alphabetically.U.S.
