A New Year, A Better Airline

If you’re like me, you’re probably turning your focus on the new year ahead: all the opportunities, all the challenges, and perhaps all the places you want to go in 2012. Naturally, we hope that as you think about where you need and want to go this year that you’ll choose to travel with us. And we’re working hard to give you more reasons to do just that.

We just completed the installation of First Class sections on 110 US Airways Express regional jets. Travelers who prefer more legroom and more personalized attention can now enjoy First Class seating when their travels take them on routes served by our Express aircraft. And our Dividend Miles Preferred members can enjoy complimentary First Class upgrades on many Express flights.

At the other end of the airplane spectrum, all of our wide-body Airbus A330-300 aircraft will have the Envoy Suite installed in our business class cabins by late spring. The fully adjustable seats that recline into comfortable lie-flat beds are already a hit on our A330-200 aircraft. Additionally, travelers in Economy on our A330 aircraft will be getting new seats and a great new entertainment system this year.

We’ve also recently taken delivery of a dozen new Airbus A321s, and will take delivery of another dozen this year. They’re replacing jets built 25 years ago and designed in the 1970s.

Our new Web check-in tool will enable you to purchase optional services that can make travel easier or more enjoyable without stopping at the ticket counter. We’re also working to make it easier to book hotels and rental cars, redeem Dividend Miles for flights, and find great deals on vacation packages. We also expect to launch our iPhone and Android apps toward the end of this year.

If you prefer to use your phone the old-fashioned way — and actually place a call — you’ll appreciate our recently upgraded telephone reservations system, which features the domestic airline industry’s most advanced interactive voice response system. It eliminates the common complaints consumers have about dealing with automated phone systems. And should you need to talk with one of our reservations agents, you’ll speak with a U.S.-based employee of US Airways when you call from anywhere within the U.S. In late 2011 we brought all of our domestic phone reservations work back in-house and onshore. That makes good business sense and helps the national economy.

We’re also making big improvements at our airports. This summer we’ll open a new addition to our Charlotte hub that includes a larger customs hall and an upper-level concourse with room for more concessions and retail stores. And in the second half of the year we expect to open the first phase of a remodeled and expanded Terminal F in Philadelphia. The completed terminal will have a larger security checkpoint, a new baggage claim facility, bigger gate areas, and more concessions space.

Our 32,000 employees are focused on the technologies, services, facilities, and products that make your travel experience more enjoyable. We hope your experience today is a good one, and that we get a chance to serve you again — and often — in 2012.

Doug Parker
Chairman and CEO