New A-330's ordered

[gaucho99]

US Airways to Add Seven Airbus A330-200 Aircraft to Fleet

Nov. 20, 2007


US Airways has agreed to terms with Airbus S.A.S. for the order of five additional long-range wide-body A330-200 aircraft, and entered into a letter of intent with International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) for the lease of two A330-200s. These additional aircraft allow US Airways to continue its international growth plans of adding approximately three to four new markets per year between 2009 and 2011.



The airline expects to take delivery of the five new aircraft from Airbus through 2011 and induct the two aircraft from ILFC in 2009. Combined with the ten A330-200s currently on order from Airbus, US Airways’ A330-200 fleet will grow to 17 by 2011. US Airways currently operates nine wide-body Airbus A330-300s that share fleet commonality with the A330-200s.



“The A330-200 with its superior range relative to our existing fleet will allow US Airways to continue international expansion to new destinations across the globe from the Pacific to the Atlanticâ€￾ said Doug Parker, chairman and CEO of US Airways. “We intend to use the A330s to expand our existing gateways as well as provide the potential to eventually add intercontinental service from our west coast hubs.â€￾

 

[PHX PHLyer]

Haa...I knew when they filed that one report to the SEC that it appeared they wanted firm orders for 5 more, not just options.

Thread

Good for them, though. Hopefully it will get some of the 76s out earlier.....and add some new service from CLT, PHX and possibly LAS.

 

[etops1]

the 2 a330's that are coming in 09 are coming from SWISS.

 

[JayBrian]

What ever happened to the 340s that were discussed recently?

 

[oldiebutgoody]

How much smaller is a -200 than a -300? I think U's 300s seat something like 288 people. Any idea what a -200 will seat?

 

[LGA777]

How much smaller is a -200 than a -300? I think U's 300s seat something like 288 people. Any idea what a -200 will seat?

Ironically same as the aircraft name, 330 !

Cheers

LGA777

 

[nycbusdriver]

Ironically same as the aircraft name, 330 !

Cheers

LGA777

Well, that's not quite what the factory intended, but when Doogie gets done specifying the seat pitch you are probably correct.

 

[PHL]

This still doesn't address the China flying, does it? And, where will these aircraft fly from if US and the city of PHL are at odds over the intl. gate space??

 

[USstew23]

Haa...I knew when they filed that one report to the SEC that it appeared they wanted firm orders for 5 more, not just options.

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Good for them, though. Hopefully it will get some of the 76s out earlier.....and add some new service from CLT, PHX and possibly LAS.

Maybe the 67's will be used for some of the Hawaii or South America. I certainly hope they stay and are used for something useful as it would be a shame to dump all of this money into them just to get rid of them in the next 2-4 years.

 

[nycbusdriver]

Maybe the 67's will be used for some of the Hawaii or South America. I certainly hope they stay and are used for something useful as it would be a shame to dump all of this money into them just to get rid of them in the next 2-4 years.

You're right, but spending big bucks to upgrade them then dumping them would certainly be par for the course with Tempe.

 

[zethya]

This still doesn't address the China flying, does it? And, where will these aircraft fly from if US and the city of PHL are at odds over the intl. gate space??

Within the past week US filed several replies to the DOT for a challenge by Maxjet for the PHL-China route authority. US stated that they are committed to PHL's current and continuous growth and that the problems will be resolved and aircraft available well in advance of the start date (Q1-2009). They also requested that the route award be made Final now, rather than Tentative. Here is a short extract:
"...US Airways wishes to affirm in the strongest terms possible the company's longstanding and continuing commitment to the City of Philadelphia, it's Philadelphia hub, and service to China.....US Airways has made an enormous commitment to international air service at Philadelphia and expects that commitment to not only continue, but grow.". They also stated that a "binding order" for A340s has not been signed because the route authority was not yet made "Final".
I'll let someone else post the document Filing reference if they wish.

 

[AAA73Pilot]

You're right, but spending big bucks to upgrade them then dumping them would certainly be par for the course with Tempe.

Sounds like SOP's. US management flew a PI 727 from the paint shop to the desert back in the 90's. Why did I expect anything to change?

 

[iwantout]

So when will the first one be on the property?

 

[nycbusdriver]

So when will the first one be on the property?

It says 2009 for the two leased airplanes. That means it will be planned to arrive at the very last second necessary to have it ready for its first revenue flight. Of course, no one around here plans for contingencies, so the first flights will be equipment subbed with an ETOPS 757 because the new (to us) 330s will still be in the paint shop....or awaiting the interior...or some other such delay.

 

[EMBFA]

Maybe the 67's will be used for some of the Hawaii or South America. I certainly hope they stay and are used for something useful as it would be a shame to dump all of this money into them just to get rid of them in the next 2-4 years.

The upgrades so far can not have cost much. I could find a crackhead to put cheap pleather covering on seats and paint the bulkheads flat blue with a lame swoosh and uncentered flag. Has to be a crackhead though, a dopehead would steal it.