OPEN SKIES

US AIRWAYS ADDED A NEW DESTINATION to our route map when we began flying our first-ever service to London Heathrow from our international gateway at Philadelphia International Airport on March 29.

This new route is possible thanks to the “Open Skies” agreement between the United States and the European Union. This landmark agreement was signed last year and went into effect March 30, the day the first US Airways flight to Heathrow touched down. The partnership paves the way for increased service between the U.S. and Europe.

With new service to Heathrow, US Airways customers traveling for business or pleasure not only gain another convenient option for travel to London (we also fly to London Gatwick from both Philadelphia and Charlotte), but they also receive access to connections almost everywhere in the world with our Star Alliance partner airlines.

Star Alliance is a network of 20 member carriers, including US Airways. It’s the first — and largest — airline alliance in the world, offering customers access to 965 airports in 162 countries with nearly 18,000 departures per day. Members of US Airways’ frequent-flyer program, Dividend Miles, can earn and redeem miles on any Star Alliance member carrier, and these miles count toward Preferred status. As a member of Star Alliance, US Airways is committed to connecting people the world over and providing them with a safe, smooth travel experience.

London Heathrow is the seventh new European flight we’ve added in just two years. In 2006 and 2007 we added new transatlantic routes to Athens, Brussels, Lisbon, Milan, Stockholm, and Zurich from Philadelphia, and we now fly to a total of 20 airports in Europe.

Though that’s notable growth in a short time period, we’re not done; we plan to offer our customers service to even more new destinations in Europe in the next few years. To fly more transatlantic routes, we’re adding 17 widebody Airbus aircraft. These planes will join our fleet beginning next year and continuing through 2011. We’re also modifying half a dozen of our Boeing 757 aircraft.

On behalf of the more than 36,000 employees of US Airways, thank you for flying with us today. We hope you enjoy your travels with us, and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

Doug Parker
Chairman and CEO
US Airways

Book your flight to more than 230 destinations, including London Heathrow, at usairways.com.