Following an agreement announced in June 2007, US Airways has now signed the contract for the purchase of 92 Airbus aircraft, including: 18 A350-800s, 4 A350-900s, 10 A330-200s, and 60 A320 Family aircraft. The airline is slated to receive its first A350 in 2014 with deliveries running through 2017. Delivery dates for the newly ordered A330s run from 2009 through 2010. The A320 Family order is comprised of 10 A321s, 40 A320s and 10 A319s with extensive conversion rights within the A320 Family. With this new A320 Family order adding to US Airway’s existing backlog of 37 orders for Airbus single-aisle aircraft, the A320 Family delivery stream to US Airways extends through 2012.
“Both the A320 Family and A330 have served us very well, and we look forward to capitalizing on the advantages the A350 XWB will add to our fleet,” said Doug Parker, Chairman and CEO of US Airways. “The combination of range, comfort and economics all these aircraft feature will offer our passengers the ideal service they have come to expect from US Airways.” Both America West and US Airways took delivery of their first A320 Family aircraft in 1998. Since that time, and since the airlines have joined forces under the US Airways brand, the airline has become the largest airline customer for Airbus in terms of aircraft ordered and aircraft operated.
“This order is a clear endorsement of every member of our twin-engine product line,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “These aircraft work hard for the airline, and have the right balance of characteristics to please our customer and their customers. With the A350 being a major part of this contract, we’re very happy US Airways has decided to expand its fleet types in parallel with the evolution of the Airbus product line.
I guess the reason why America is in recession is because American refuse to buy American.
US made planes are easily the best in the world and are copied by Airbus constantly. I personally only fly on airlines which feature Boeing or Bombardier products. Smarten up America!
Fordman,
Give me a break. I understand your opinion about buying American products, but you are way off here. I’m Chairman with US Airways and fly on both Boeing and Airbus. The fact of the matter is I feel the Airbus 319, 320 and 321 are exceptional aircraft that get the job done and are well equipped for extensive travel. The interiors of the aircrafts are great…in fact I just flew on a new 321 last week and was impressed. Now I don’t know where Boeing and Airbus differ in price, but heck…the delayed 787 Dreamliner has parts made for it all over the world and most of the parts have to be flown into Washington with a 747 built just for that purpose. If I was in charge of an airline I would wants products that are durable, safe, cost affective and reliable. Maybe Boeing needs to change their protocol if they want to keep American airlines buying their planes.
Oh Mr Shovel:
Give ME a break please….Since you claim to be “Chairman” with USAirways, then you would/should know where “Boeing and Airbus differ in price”…..
R.A.
Delta Airlines
Chairman, give ME a brake. Airbus aircraft are reliable and comfortable. Their parts are from Germany and France, NOT Japan and China.
Sincerely,
Jetblue Airways
As someone who flies over 120 trips a year and mostly on US Airways the major difference between Boeing and Airbus is comfort if you are sitting in coach. When sitting in coach for 3 or 5 hours and there is an additional in of room in the width of the seat in a Airbus it makes all the world of difference.
Both companies make great planes and I cannot speak for the airlines, but as a passenger comfort is my main concern. Most of the time I am upgraded to Business Class but I always buy the coach tickets and look for the Airbus on the route. When I have to fly a 737 even in business class I feel cramped.
As for him being a Chairman, he won’t know the cost as that is just a level of flying he does with US Airways. Cost differs for each airlines, i.e., Boeing has a vested stockholder interest in Airtran. I can tell you that Airtran got a much better price than any other airline, as Boeing wanted to make sure their company was make a profit and promoting their plane.
All the best,
Up in the Air