US Airways - March 2013 - (Page 6)

CEO Letter embark Thank You for Flying With US Upgrading Our Fleet ★ Spring will soon be here, and I know many of you traveling today are looking forward to leaving the cold weather behind. The coming season is a time of renewal, and at US Airways we are continuing to renew our fleet to provide you with a more pleasant travel experience. This year, we will take delivery of 16 new Airbus A321 aircraft. US Airways is the world’s largest operator of Airbus aircraft, and these planes, just like the ones we acquired last year, will continue to replace our older Boeing 737s. The A321s are not only larger, but also more comfortable and fuel-efficient. We’ll also bring five more wide-body Airbus A330-200 aircraft into our fleet this year. If you’ve ever purchased a new car, you know how demanding the process can be. If you think US Airways auctioned off a trip to Germany for employees to pick up a new Airbus A321 as part of the airline’s United Way fund-raising efforts. 6 MARCH 2013 usairwaysmag.com that’s hard, try buying a brand-new plane. Many departments at US Airways assume a role in the purchasing process before the bill of sale is handed over. From our finance team to our flight crews to our maintenance group, our hardworking employees lend a hand to help bring new members of our fleet from construction to the gate. Our team starts the process of acquiring a new aircraft three to four years in advance. The parts used to build an Airbus come from manufacturers around the world, while major structural assemblies for each plane are built throughout Europe. Once finished, they’re shipped to a final assembly line for construction. US Airways has a team that oversees inspections throughout the construction process. From window shades to seats, our employees thoroughly examine every component of the aircraft to ensure it’s in pristine condition for delivery. Just as you would test-drive a car before purchase, US Airways and Airbus technical personnel and test pilots take the plane on a rigorous test flight. After the aircraft goes through its inspection and acceptance flight, it’s ready to become part of the US Airways fleet. Last summer, as part of our annual Hope Takes Flight campaign to benefit the United Way, US Airways auctioned off a unique vacation experience to Hamburg, Germany. That package included a VIP tour of the Airbus factory and a flight home to the States aboard a new A321 before it entered into regular service. I take great pride in saying that the 38,000 employees of US Airways and our wholly owned subsidiaries, PSA and Piedmont Airlines, raised nearly $1.5 million last year for the United Way. From all of us at US Airways, thank you for flying with us today. We hope to serve you again soon on another flight. Doug Parker Chairman and CEO http://www.usairwaysmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of US Airways - March 2013

US Airways - March 2013
Table of Contents
CEO Letter
From the Editor
Did You Know?
Making It Happen
Hot Spots: Best Musical Pilgrimages
Hub Crawl: Denver Airport
Wine & Dine: Chef's Tables
Wine & Dine: Artisan Cheeses
Great Escapes: Cypress Inn
Adventure: Washington, DC by Bike
Great Escapes: The Gathering in Ireland
Adventure: Puerto Rico Golf
Charlotte EDC
Great Escapes: Barcelo Hotels and Resorts
Gear Up: The Smart Kitchen
Travel Feature: The Rome Less Traveled
US Airways Feature: Order Up!
Great Tastes: Phoenix Dining
From Philly, With Love
Route of Discovery: San Luis Obispo, California
Atlantic 10 Conference
Great Dates
Puzzles
Readers Resource Index
Your US Airways Guide
Video Entertainment
Audio Entertainment
U.S. and Caribbean Service Map
International Service Map
Airport Terminal Maps
US Airways Fleet/Customs & Immigration
Passenger Info/Contact US Airways
US Airways MarketPlace®
Window or Aisle?

US Airways - March 2013