US Airways and America West to merge

[Triumph]

Just got this in an email from my dividend miles club. Great. I absolutely hate America West and their cramped seats, expensive food, advertising space folding trays, headphones that cost money (and you have to give them back), and just generally crappy service. US Airways is no gem either but at least I've never had a real problem with them. Their flights to Europe are nice enough. But America West... argh!

Because of your loyalty to US Airways, I want to make you aware of an important step our company has taken.
US Airways Group, Inc. and America West Holding Corp. today announced a merger that will expand service, create more choice for our customers, and enhance opportunities for you to earn and redeem Dividend Miles for award travel or upgrades.

The combined airline, which will be called US Airways, will create the first nationwide, full-service, low-cost, low-fare network airline, with service extending from coast-to-coast, as well as Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Latin America and Europe. With this merger, we are pioneering a new airline business model that has distinct advantages over other competitors:

Service, network, cost-structure and simplified pricing that you have come to expect; and
Customer amenities such as a world-class frequent flyer program, airport clubs, pre-assigned seating and
First Class upgrades.
Until approval of the merger, a process expected to take several months, it will be business as usual for US Airways and America West customers, and there will be no joint marketing or operations between the two airlines. You should continue to book flights through www.usairways.com, US Airways reservations or your travel agent, check in for flights at US Airways counters and redeem Dividend Miles for flights on US Airways or any of our Star Alliance or frequent flyer program partners.

Upon approval of the merger, we will clearly communicate various customer initiatives, such as combining frequent flyer programs, co-locating airport gates and ticket counters, integrating Internet Web sites, and implementing other sales and marketing enhancements.

We have enclosed answers to a number of questions that you may have. Please be assured that as we move through this exciting process, we will keep you informed of important developments.

A dedicated section of www.usairways.com has been created to provide additional background information about this merger. As this process continues, we will be updating the site regularly.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you on your next US Airways flight.

Sincerely,


N. Bruce Ashby
Executive Vice President,
Marketing and Planning

 

[huesmann]

Don't forget America West's delayed flights.

 

Headphones that cost money? I've never been on a domestic flight where headphones are provided AT ALL, much less for money.

What are you complaining about?

 

[Acanthus]

yey the airlines continue their government subsidized money-wasting!

I bet the new company also flops within a few years.

 

[gshock888]

winnar! they're now a bankrupt company with drunk pilots

 

[Triumph]

Originally posted by: jumpr
Headphones that cost money? I've never been on a domestic flight where headphones are provided AT ALL, much less for money.

What are you complaining about?

uh, i've been on plenty of flights where the headphones for the movie are provided free. often they're just sitting in the pocket under the tray table.

america west will charge you FIVE BUCKS for the headphones to watch the movie. they're crappy headphones that don't even cost five bucks at best buy. and then they expect you to give them back at the end of the flight! but you can just plug your regular headphones in to watch the movie. so basically, they're charging you five bucks to rent some headphones for a couple of hours.

 

[gshock888]

jet blue gives them out for free and they dont even ask for them back if you decided to steal it (but why would you, i don't know)

 

[ravana]

ATA charges like $2 I think...what a waste.

 

[Banana]

I, for one, am happy to hear about the merger. I was afraid my eleventy billion Dividend miles would be worthless before I got to use em. With this merger, I'll have at least a couple more years to burn the miles.

As for in-flight perks, Continental offers more than most airlines. The low cost airlines suck because most don't have first class or elite privileges. Of course, after the merger, who knows what the new USAirways will be like.

 

[gshock888]

but banana, i doubt you fly the low cost airline when you travel for personal trips (not on your frequent flyer promotions too)

i fly jetblue on my florida business trips too, i actually like them a lot.

 

[Nitemare]

merger you say...

So who bought out who?

 

[GTaudiophile]

What is the saying: two wrongs don't make a right?