Tag Archives: 737-4B7

Choice Aire to launch flights between Atlantic City, Nashville and Miami

Choice Aire (Miami) will debut its scheduled public charter service operated by Swift Air (2nd) (Phoenix) on May 21, 2015 serving new nonstop destinations Atlantic City International Airport (ACY), Nashville International Airport (BNA) and Miami International Airport (MIA).

According to the company, “Choice Aire will offer affordable, convenient, full-service first and economy class flights, with convenient connections from Miami to Cuba, Aruba and Curacao.”

The five-times-weekly service will be operated by Swift Air, and will use Boeing 737-300 and 737-400 aircraft with 126 and 150 seats, including first class and economy service.

Schedule:

Choice Aire Charters, LLC dba Choice Aire offers Scheduled Public Charter Flights operated by Swift Air, LLC filed under DOT PC-15-043″ “FLA.

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Former US Airways Boeing 737-4B7 N447US (msn 24874), now with Swift Air (2nd) as N802TJ (msn 24874), taxies at Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto without airline titles.

Swift Air (2nd) aircraft slide show:

Jay Selman’s Inside Look: US Airways operates the last Boeing 737 Classic revenue flight

Guest Editor Jay Selman

An Inside Look: The End of a Classic Era

by Jay Selman

When I was hired by Piedmont Airlines (Winston-Salem) in 1981, the Boeing 737 reigned supreme. We were taking delivery of brand new Boeing 737-200s, and oh how I loved those birds. They were short and fat, and NOISY in an era when noise was still acceptable! In the early days of my airline career, I was on an airplane virtually every weekend. Those were the days when an airline could make money with a 50% load factor, and on those rare occasions when a flight did fill up, there was usually room in the cockpit for a company employee. I’d venture to say that 95% of my flights during the first 10 years of my career were in 737s.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-201 N736N (msn 19420) of Piedmont waits for its next assignment at Atlanta. The -200 is painted in the original 1974 livery.

By 1985, the 737-300 had joined the Piedmont fleet. Although it still had the 737 designation, it seemed to be a whole new animal. Those CFM-56 engines were massive compared to the JT-8Ds on the -200s, and the 737-300 promised significant increases in payload and range, as well as significant reductions in fuel burn. Oh yes, and they were QUIET. In fact, a common complaint among crewmembers flying the -300 was that they had to lower their voices so that passengers would not join in their conversations. The cockpits of Piedmont’s -300s still had the old “steam gauges” but they also had greatly improved avionics, and even a lovely feature called “Autoland”, which the company was never actually certified to use.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-301 N307P (msn 23259) of Piedmont wears the updated white top 1974 color scheme.

Piedmont was the launch customer for the Boeing 737-400, essentially a stretched -300, and in September, 1988, I had the good fortune to fly on the delivery flight of N406US, the first 737-400 in the world to be delivered by Boeing.

Copyright Photo: Nigel P. Chalcraft/AirlinersGallery.com. The first delivered -400, Boeing 737-401 N406US (msn 23876) taxies at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood in the bare metal 1988 livery.

At one time, Piedmont was able to claim the title of the world’s largest operator of the Boeing 737. No wonder I had a love affair with the Seven Three throughout my career in the airline industry.

In 1989, Piedmont and USAir merged and I was now working for USAir. The merger brought a large number of different aircraft types to my company, but I still loved the 737.

Copyright Photo: Christian Volpati Collection/AirlinersGallery.com. Suddenly the Piedmont name and brand were going way. USAir later gave way to US Airways as a brand.

Then in 1997, USAir CEO Steven Wolf shocked the aviation community by announcing an order for up to 400 narrow-body Airbus aircraft. Ultimately, this would reduce the composition of the company’s narrow-body fleet to one basic type (the A319, A320, and A321 are all the same basic airplane).

The handwriting was on the wall for the USAir (later US Airways) 737s…in fact, all of the narrow body aircraft operated by USAir. With respect to the 737s, the dwindling fleet of 737-200s was parked following the terrorist attacks of 9/11, while the last of the -300s was retired in 2013. Finally, on August 19, 2014, N435US operated the final flight of a US Airways 737, appropriately designated as flight US 737.

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. There are now no longer any US Airways 737 Classics operating out of the Charlotte hub. N406US landed at CLT with 43515 cycles and approximately 65405.45 hours. The airliner was a trusted performer for the carrier and has now been retired to the desert.

“Cactus 737”, its ATC callsign, flew from Charlotte to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to Philadelphia and back to Charlotte on August 19, and I was able to fly all three legs on it. US Airways elected to keep the event low-key, since, after all, the “new American Airlines” is currently operating over 230 Next-Generation 737-800s, and will eventually own a fleet of over 300 of the type. But what made the trip special for me was the fact that the pilot in command, Captain Jeff Tarr, was also flying his last trip as an airline pilot.

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. The end of an era. N435US sits at the gate, unlikely to carry passengers again.

When Cactus 737 pulled into Gate D7 at 9:48 pm at CLT, there was no real fanfare for the airplane, but there was plenty of recognition for Captain Tarr.

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. Pictured in the cockpit of N435US is Captain Jeff Tarr (left) and F/O Robert Channell (right). This also was Jeff’s retirement flight.

And, after all, that is the way it should be. Too often, an airline is defined by its aircraft, or its color scheme, or its catch phrase. But what should REALLY define an airline is it’s employees. For most of us who have been in this industry for any length of time, it’s more than a job…it’s a way of life. Most of us who have been here for awhile began working in the days when we were envied for our status as airline employees. We remember hearing, “You have one of the best jobs in the world,” rather than, “I wouldn’t have your job for anything in the world.” An airline is about people, and not just airplanes.  Having said that, the Boeing 737 has been part of the airline I work for during my entire 33-year career. Admittedly, the Airbus offers many advantages to the passenger than the old 737 Classic. And, of course, once the merger is complete, I will, again, be working for a company that will be operating 300+ Next-Generation 737s.

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. The proud crew of flight US 737 that operated the flight from DFW to PHL and finally to CLT.

In my personal opinion, an Airbus simply cannot compare to a Boeing in terms of useful life and ruggedness. Why do I say this? Just consider this fact. There are still plenty of 737s around with 30+ years on their airframes. Many still haul passengers, while countless others have been converted to freight dogs. I have no idea how many 737s have been converted to cargo carriers, but I can tell you exactly how many A320s have been.  So, vive la 737. You’ve given me a great ride.

Piedmont Airlines (1st):

USAir:

US Airways:

US Airways to operate a special flight “0737” on August 19 to honor the last Boeing 737 Classic

US Airways (Phoenix and Dallas/Fort Worth) has decided to honor the long line of Boeing 737 Classic aircraft with a special flight “US 0737” that will be flown on the last day of revenue passenger operations for the last Boeing 737-400 on August 19.

US Airways, with the previously legacy operations of Allegheny Airlines, USAir, Piedmont Airlines and now US Airways, the airline has flown the Boeing 737-200, 737-300 and 737-400 models. This is the last flight of a Classic 737 for the company.

The new American Airlines will continue to operate the Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 model. This special flight is available to the public and employees who want to experience history of the last flight.

Passengers and employees on this special flight will pay tribute to the many years of faithful service this aircraft type has provided to the legacy US Airways certificate holder.

The special flight will be routed from Charlotte (CLT) to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), then on to Philadelphia (PHL) and finally back to Charlotte to close this chapter of airline history. Extra time is being allocated at each station for special farewell ceremonies.

Previously on November 26, 2012 US Airways retired its last Boeing 737-300 from revenue service. Aircraft 737-3B7 N530AU (msn 24412) operated flight US 1611 from Raleigh/Durham to the Charlotte hub ending 28 years of faithful service

The now finalized schedule of special flight US 0737 on Tuesday August 19, 2014:

Thank you US Airways and the American Airlines Group for honoring airline history and for organizing this special goodbye flight.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-4B7 N443US (msn 24842) taxies to the runway at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) hub.

US Airways:

US Airways launches its codeshare agreement with Airberlin

US Airways (Phoenix and Dallas/Fort Worth), part of American Airlines Group, today announced the launch of its codeshare agreement with fellow oneworld® member Airberlin (Berlin), further enhancing its relationship with the German carrier and providing customers increased access to major destinations throughout Germany and beyond.

The codeshare includes placing the US Airways code on Airberlin flights from Chicago, Miami and New York (JFK) to Berlin, and from Fort Myers, Florida, Los Angeles, Miami and New York (JFK) to Dusseldorf. From Berlin and Dusseldorf, customers will have access to 16 destinations in Europe, including Airberlin’s flights to Copenhagen, Hamburg, Munich and Vienna. Customers traveling with Airberlin will now be able to book codeshare travel on US Airways flights from Frankfurt to Charlotte and Philadelphia, Zurich to Philadelphia, and from Munich to Philadelphia, as well as connecting service to Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and Phoenix.

US Airways plans to implement codeshare agreements with select other members of the oneworld alliance in the coming months. The airline joined oneworld as an affiliate member on March 31, and will remain as such until it fully integrates with American Airlines as part of their merger to create the largest airline in the world.

In other news, the American Airlines Group is having its first stockholder meeting tomorrow in Dallas. It is the first stockholder meeting since the merger and bankruptcy.

The Dallas News highlights the status of the group heading into tomorrow’s meeting: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. The clock is ticking for the last remaining US Airways Boeing 737-400s. The airline will quietly retire the last 737 Classic flight from the Charlotte hub on August 18. Boeing 737-4B7 N455UW (msn 24997) of US Airways climbs away from the runway at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT).

US Airways:

American Airlines Group reports a record first quarter net profit of $480 million

American Airlines Group (American Airlines and US Airways) (Dallas/Fort Worth) today reported its first quarter 2014 results.

First quarter 2014 net profit was a record $480 million. This represents a $777 million improvement versus the company’s combined first quarter 2013 net loss of $297 million.

Excluding net special credits, the company reported a record first quarter net profit of $402 million. This represents a $340 million year-over-year improvement versus the company’s combined net profit of $62 million excluding net special charges in the first quarter 2013.

First quarter 2014 pretax margin excluding net special credits was 4.1 percent, a 3.6 point year-over-year improvement.

The company ended the quarter with $10.6 billion in total cash and short-term investments. Since the close of the merger, the company has used more than $542 million of cash to reduce its diluted shares outstanding by approximately 20 million.

For the first quarter 2014, American Airlines Group reported a record GAAP net profit of $480 million. This compares to a net loss of $341 million in the first quarter 2013. The company’s GAAP results for the first quarter 2013 reflect AMR Corporation prior to the merger.

The company believes it is more meaningful to compare year-over-year results for American Airlines and US Airways on a combined basis, which is a non-GAAP formulation that combines the results for AMR Corporation and US Airways Group. Therefore, it includes the results of US Airways Group for the full period. See the accompanying notes in the Financial Tables section of this press release for further explanation of this presentation, including a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial information.

First quarter 2014 net profit excluding net special credits was a record $402 million. This compares to a combined non-GAAP net profit of $62 million excluding net special charges for the same period in 2013. Excluding net special credits, first quarter 2014 diluted earnings per share was $0.54.

“We are very pleased to report a record profit in our first full quarter as a merged company,” said Doug Parker, CEO of American Airlines Group. “Our team of dedicated professionals did an excellent job of taking care of our customers despite particularly difficult weather conditions throughout the quarter. We are excited for the future and expect our synergies to build as we continue to integrate our operations.”

Merger Integration

Since closing the merger on December 9, 2013, the company has made significant progress in integrating American Airlines and US Airways. Key accomplishments:

Launched the world’s largest codeshare, offering customers improved access to the company’s global network by allowing them to book flights on both airlines’ networks

Provided reciprocal benefits for airport lounge and frequent flyer elite members, including priority check-in, waiving fees for checked bags, complimentary access to preferred seats, priority security lines, early boarding and priority baggage delivery

Enabled AAdvantage® and Dividend Miles® members to earn and redeem miles when traveling across either airline’s network

Joined operations at 58 airports, including Phoenix and Miami hubs

Moved US Airways into the oneworld alliance on March 31 and to the trans-Atlantic joint venture with American, British Airways, Iberia and Finnair on April 3

Aligned award travel options, checked baggage policies and inflight services for First and Business Class customers

Announced Sabre as the new Passenger Services System for the combined company

Closed the sale of the slot divestitures required by the U.S. Department of Justice at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). In total, the company received $381 million in cash from the DCA sales and the sale of slots at New York’s LaGuardia (LGA) Airport, which closed in the fourth quarter 2013.

Revenue and Cost Comparisons

On a combined basis, total revenues in the first quarter were a record $10 billion, up 5.6 percent versus the first quarter 2013 on a 2.0 percent increase in total available seat miles (ASMs). Driven by a record yield of 17.03 cents, up 3.2 percent year-over-year, combined consolidated passenger revenue per ASM (PRASM) was also a record for the first quarter at 13.67 cents, up 2.9 percent versus the first quarter 2013.

Total combined operating expenses in the first quarter were $9.3 billion, down 0.3 percent over first quarter 2013. Combined first quarter mainline cost per available seat mile (CASM) was 13.50 cents, down 2.7 percent on a 2.7 percent increase in mainline ASMs versus first quarter 2013. This cost improvement was largely due to a 4.8 percent decrease in year-over-year mainline fuel prices. Excluding special charges, fuel and profit sharing, mainline CASM was up 4.0 percent compared to the first quarter 2013, at 8.96 cents. Regional CASM excluding special charges and fuel was 16.62 cents, up 5.0 percent on a 3.2 percent decrease in regional ASMs versus first quarter 2013.

Liquidity

As of March 31, 2014, American had approximately $10.6 billion in total cash and short-term investments, of which $947 million was restricted. The company also has an undrawn revolving credit facility of $1.0 billion. Approximately $750 million of the company’s unrestricted cash balance was held in Venezuelan bolivars, valued at the weighted average applicable exchange rate of 6.32 bolivars to the dollar. This includes approximately $94 million valued at 4.3 bolivars, approximately $611 million valued at 6.3 bolivars and approximately $45 million valued at 10.7 bolivars, with the rate depending on the date the company submitted its repatriation request to the Venezuelan government.

In the first quarter of 2014, the Venezuelan government announced that a newly-implemented system (SICAD I) will determine the exchange rate (which fluctuates as determined by weekly auctions and at March 31, 2014 was 10.7 bolivars to the dollar) for repatriation of cash proceeds from ticket sales after January 1, 2014, and introduced new procedures for approval of repatriation of local currency. The company is continuing to work with Venezuelan authorities regarding the timing and exchange rate applicable to the repatriation of funds held in local currency. The company is monitoring this situation closely and continues to evaluate its holdings of Venezuelan bolivars for potential impairment.

Since the merger, the company paid $542 million in tax withholdings for employees in lieu of issuing shares of common stock as compensation as permitted under the Plan of Reorganization, thereby reducing the number of shares expected to be issued under the Plan by approximately 20 million. Additionally, the company has elected to utilize the cash settlement feature for the remaining $22 million principal amount of US Airways Group 7.25% convertible notes due May 15, 2014, which will further reduce diluted shares by approximately 4 million shares.

Special Items

In the first quarter, the company recognized a combined total of $78 million in net special credits, including:

$137 million in net special credits consisting primarily of the gain on the sale of slots at Reagan National Airport offset in part by integration and merger-related expenses

$47 million in non-operating special charges due primarily to non-cash interest accretion on bankruptcy settlement obligations

$8 million in non-cash deferred income tax provision related to certain indefinite-lived intangible assets

$4 million in regional non-operating charges

Additional Integration Related Developments

Distributed $11 million to employees for baggage handling and on-time performance in the month of January; this distribution of $100 per employee is part of the company’s Triple Play program which measures on-time arrivals and baggage performance as reported in the DOT’s Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR)

Conducted first joint Captain Leadership Training with newly promoted captains from both airlines

On April 9, Piedmont flight attendants ratified a new five-year Collective Bargaining Agreement
Opened a new Admirals Club lounge at the company’s Philadelphia (PHL) hub

Fleet/Network Developments

As part of its plan to modernize its fleet by replacing older aircraft with newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft, the company inducted 12 new Airbus A321 aircraft into service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and JFK and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). American is now the only U.S. carrier to offer three classes of service between these key markets.

The company also took delivery of one Airbus A330-200 aircraft, five Boeing 737-800 aircraft and one Boeing 777-300 aircraft during the first quarter.

Revealed new Boeing 767-300 and 777-200ER cabin retrofits, which feature lie-flat seats with direct aisle access in Business Class

In April 2014, the company exercised its option to purchase (and thus terminated its existing lease financing arrangements) for 62 Airbus A320 family aircraft scheduled to be delivered between first quarter 2015 and third quarter 2017. In connection with this decision, the company also exercised its right to convert firm orders for 30 Airbus A320 family NEO aircraft (scheduled to be delivered in 2021 and 2022) to options to acquire such aircraft.

Top Copyright Photo: Rolf Wallner/AirlinersGallery.com. American Airlines’ Boeing 767-323 ER N346AN (msn 33085) taxies at Zurich.

American Airlines:

US Airways:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. US Airways is now planning to operate the last Boeing 737 revenue flight on August 18 at the Charlotte hub. Boeing 737-4B7 N450UW (msn 24933) arrives back at CLT.

Global Air Jets starts weekly charter flights from West Palm Beach to Montego Bay, Jamaica

Global Air Jets (West Palm Beach) started weekly charter flights on Sundays from West Palm Beach to Montego Bay, Jamaica on April 20 using the AOC of Swift Air (2nd) (Phoenix). The public charter company is also planning charter flights to Kingston, Jamaica starting in June on Tuesdays.

Copyright Photo: Mark Durbin/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-4B7 N802TJ (msn 24874) of Swift Air is pictured on the ramp at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

Swift Air:

American Airlines and US Airways issue their fleet plans

American Airlines Group (American Airlines and US Airways) (Dallas/Fort Worth) has issued its new fleet update (see below) for 2014. Overall the fleet will grow by only three aircraft this year. The Group will take delivery of 83 new mainline aircraft during 2014, namely 10 Airbus A319s, 42 A321s, three A330-200s, 20 Boeing 737-800s, two 787-8s and six 777-300s (more Airbus aircraft than Boeing aircraft). The Group expects to retire during 2014 26 McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82/83s (MD-80s), 14 Boeing 737-400s, 22 757-200s, 13 767-200s and five Airbus A320s.

The last eight Boeing 737-400s being operated by US Airways (top) are expected to be retired before the end of the third quarter (September 30).

On the regional side, the Group is significantly reducing its Embraer ERJ 140 fleet but it will also operate a large amount of inefficient 50-seat Bombardier CRJ200s (138) and Embraer ERJ 145s (118).

Here is the full report:

In addition, according to Airline Route, American Airlines and US Airways will begin assigning certain routes to either American or US Airways:

Effective June 1: American Airlines routes to be operated entirely by US Airways:

Charlotte – Chicago (O’Hare)
Charlotte – Miami
Los Angeles – Phoenix

Effective July 2, the following American routes will be operated by US Airways:

Miami – Detroit
Miami – New Orleans
Miami – Raleigh
Miami – Tampa

Effective July 2, the following US Airways routes will be operated by American:

Phoenix – Detroit
Phoenix – Newark
Phoenix – Orange County
Phoenix – Seattle

Top Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. A significant milestone is approaching quickly. US Airways has had a long association with the Boeing 737 and the last 737-400 is expected to be retired before the end of September according to this fleet update. Boeing 737-4B7 N433US (msn 24555) taxies to the runway at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT).

US Airways:

American Airlines (current):

American Airlines (historic):

Bottom Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. American is quickly replacing the older Boeing 767-200 ERs currently being operated between New York (JFK) and Los Angeles with newer Airbus A321s. The last AA 767-200 is expected to be retired on May 7 according to ch-aviation although the type will continue with US Airways into 2015. American Airlines’ Boeing 767-223 ER N335AA (msn 22333) departs from Los Angeles bound for New York (JFK).

US Airways Group reports a 3Q GAAP net profit of $216 million

US Airways Group, Inc. (US Airways) (Phoenix) today reported its third quarter 2013 financial results. For the third quarter 2013, pretax profit excluding net special items was a record $367 million, a $174 million, or 90%, year-over-year improvement.

On a GAAP basis, the Company reported a third quarter pretax profit of $336 million, up from $246 million in 2012. The GAAP net profit for the third quarter 2013 was $216 million, or $1.04 per diluted share versus a GAAP net profit of $245 million, or $1.24 per diluted share, for the same period in 2012. The Company’s 2013 third quarter results include a provision for income tax of $120 million, comprised principally of non-cash federal income tax expense, while the 2012 provision for income tax was only $1 million.

US Airways’ Chairman and CEO Doug Parker said, “We are extremely pleased to report a record pretax profit in the third quarter. These tremendous results are a testament to our 32,000 team members and their dedication to our millions of customers.

Revenue and Cost Comparisons

Total revenues in the third quarter were a record $3.9 billion, up 9.1 percent versus the third quarter 2012 on a 4.1 percent increase in total available seat miles (ASMs). Total revenue per ASM was a record 15.97 cents, up 4.9 percent versus the same period last year driven by a 4.4 percent increase in passenger yield and a record load factor of 85.5 percent.

Total operating expenses in the third quarter were $3.4 billion, up 5.0 percent over the same period last year on a 4.1 percent increase in ASMs. Mainline cost per available seat mile (CASM) was 12.94 cents, up 1.9 percent. Excluding special items, fuel and profit sharing, mainline CASM was 8.08 cents, up 1.7 percent versus the same period last year. Express CASM excluding special items and fuel was 14.36 cents, up 2.8 percent on a 0.4 percent decrease in ASMs.

Liquidity

During the third quarter, the Company repaid in full the prepaid miles loan issued in connection with its Barclays affinity credit card program at its face amount of $200 million. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had $3.9 billion in total cash and investments, of which $350 million was restricted. This is up $1.1 billion from the Company’s third quarter 2012 total cash and investments balance of $2.8 billion, of which $347 million was restricted.

Special Items

The Company recognized approximately $31 million of net special items before taxes in the third quarter. Mainline operating special items totaled $40 million and consisted primarily of merger related costs. Express operating special items consisted of a $14 million credit resulting from a favorable arbitration ruling related to a vendor contract. The Company also recognized approximately $5 million in nonoperating special items primarily related to non-cash write offs of debt discount associated with conversions of our 7.25% convertible senior notes. The net tax effect of these special items was approximately $6 million.

Notable Accomplishments

As part of the Company’s fleet renewal program, the Company took delivery of five new A321 aircraft and one new A330-200 aircraft. These aircraft replaced 737-400 aircraft.
Standard & Poor’s (S&P) raised the Company’s credit rating by one notch from “B-” to “B.” S&P cited the Company’s improved financial results and strong cash position as part of its upgrade.
As part of the Company’s operational incentive program, employees have earned approximately $10 million in year-to-date operational incentive payouts.
Pilots at PSA Airlines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of US Airways, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), ratified a Letter of Agreement that amends their existing collective bargaining agreement originally reached with the airline on March 27, 2013.
Introduced US Airways’ Track Your Bag, a free service allowing customers with a smartphone, tablet or laptop connected to the internet access to real-time information on the status of their checked luggage. Customers can check when their luggage is loaded and offloaded on their flight.
Announced agreement with Bags VIP delivery service that allows customers to schedule luggage delivery directly to their home, hotel or business. Travelers can schedule and pay for Bags VIP delivery up to one hour prior to their scheduled departure by visiting maketraveleasier.com/usairways.
US Airways’ Education Foundation awarded $270,000 in educational grants to 21 nonprofit organizations in the airline’s hub cities of Charlotte, N.C., Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. as part of its 2013 Community Education Grant Program.
In partnership with the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (MSABC), the Company has launched its second annual “BE PINK” campaign. As part of the campaign, thousands of employees have purchased and are wearing pink uniform items in October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Proceeds from the sale of uniform items are donated to the American Cancer Society. In addition, employees will show their support of breast cancer programs through the sponsorship of MSABC walks in the airline’s hub cities of Charlotte, N.C., Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington, D.C.
As part of the Company’s “Hope Takes Flight” campaign, which benefits United Way, US Airways’ employees raised more than $1.4 million. Money raised will go to support the communities in which US Airways’ employees live and work.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. The new Airbus A321s are gradually replacing the older Boeing 737-400s which should be gone by the end of 2014. This phase out will end the company’s long relationship with the Boeing 737. Boeing 737-4B7 N434US (msn 24556) climbs away from runway 27R at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

US Airways:

Iraqi Airways leases Boeing 737-4B7 EY-537 from East Air

Iraqi Airways (East Air) Boeing 737-4B7 EY-537 (msn 24550) DXB (Reiner Geerdts), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Iraqi Airways (Baghdad) has leased this ex-US Airways Boeing 737-4B7 registered EY-537 (msn 24550) from East Air.

Copyright Photo: Reiner Geerdts. Previously operated for Somon Air, EY-537 now carries Iraqi titles as it approaches Dubai for landing.

US Airways’ 737-4B7 N443US makes hard landing

Please click on photo for full view, information and other photos.

US Airways’ (Phoenix) Boeing 737-4B7 N443US (msn 24842) yesterday afternoon (June 27) made a hard landing at Tampa after flying in from Philadelphia. The nose gear collapsed on landing. Television pitchman Billy Mays who was on flight, was found dead this morning in his Tampa home after reportedly hitting his head in the incident.

Here is full local report and video from Tampa:

www.abcactionnews.com/news/local/story/US-Airways-plane-makes-hard-landing-at-Tampa/J4S8mFG6PEqaw5-jy4S08Q.cspx