Your Upgrade Awaits

US Airways Express flights just got a major makeover. Thanks to the recent addition of First Class seats on 110 US Airways Express regional jets, you can fly to 85 more cities in First Class style.

Four jet fleets — Embraer Regional Jet 170 and 175 and Canadair Regional Jet 700 and 900 — are now outfitted with First Class seats and service. Designed with two seats on one side and one on the other, the First Class cabin offers brand- new features.

“Our goal in all of this was to design a product and an experience that was commensurate with that premium passenger experience on a daily basis in mainline domestic First Class,” says Dion Flannery, vice president of US Airways Express Operations. “And to make sure that we could replicate every aspect of it and maybe even make some enhancements.”

And enhancements are exactly what flyers will find. Large seats recline comfortably and also offer more legroom than those in Coach. In addition, First Class customers enjoy priority baggage handling, priority check-in, early boarding, and complimentary beverages, snacks, pillows, and blankets.

Each new cabin installation took three to four days, but much more happened behind the scenes before the final seat placement. New seat maps were designed. Self-service kiosks at all airports were updated. First Class carry-on bag tags were printed and distributed to all airports. And, perhaps most importantly, inflight crews were trained. “We spent time with our flight crews to explain the level of investment and detail involved in this upgraded service,” Flannery notes. “The crews are trained, they’re knowledgeable, and they’re welcoming.”

Preferred members can now enjoy complimentary upgrades on 640 more flights each day. “This is important to our Preferred flyers,” Flannery says. “We recognize that they have a lot of choices. This is a huge advantage to making certain that we’re meeting their needs.”

By the Numbers

61 percent of US Airways’ daily flights offer First Class service.
110 US Airways Express aircraft feature a First Class cabin.
85 more destinations offer First Class service.
98 percent of US Airways’ flights over 750 miles offer First Class service.
640 more flights daily offer complimentary upgrades to Preferred members.

Express Guest
As a real estate developer and broker, Gerald Divaris travels at least once a week. So when US Airways was looking to ask flyers what would make their flights better, Divaris was the perfect customer to approach. “I’m a million miler, and I’ve been a Chairman’s Preferred for almost 30 years,” Divaris says. “Since most of my trips are short hauls in and out of Norfolk, Virginia, I was disappointed that US Airways didn’t have First Class on its Express flights. But the caliber of the agents alleviated that disappointment.”

Now there’s no disappointment for Divaris with the new First Class Express service. His first impression? “It was fantastic,” he says. “The experience was great. The seats were comfortable. It was clean, fresh, and new.”

Learn more about US Airways First Class and book your next trip at usairways.com/expressfirst. For a behind-the-scenes look at cabin installation, check out the First Class Express time-lapse video.