China Award Thread-Merged Topics--

[Travelpro72]

I hope we can have a service that is not so dumbed down. This is NOT the destination to do it. Also these flights are expensive relatively speaking to buy a ticket on even in economy. They should also staff it a bit more than we do the current A330 to Europe. I wonder what Northwest staffs their A330's to Asia. I know they have the 300 and the 200 but not sure which or both goes to Asia. I'm curious. PLEASE Tempe, PLEEEEEEEASE don't go cheap on this one. Folks WILL need more legroom on these flights and not by reducing recline or changing seatbacks. PLEASE.

 

[PHX PHLyer]

I hope we can have a service that is not so dumbed down. This is NOT the destination to do it. Also these flights are expensive relatively speaking to buy a ticket on even in economy. They should also staff it a bit more than we do the current A330 to Europe. I wonder what Northwest staffs their A330's to Asia. I know they have the 300 and the 200 but not sure which or both goes to Asia. I'm curious. PLEASE Tempe, PLEEEEEEEASE don't go cheap on this one. Folks WILL need more legroom on these flights and not by reducing recline or changing seatbacks. PLEASE.

It is going to be the old configuration of the A330-300 in the A340-300. The two planes are the exact same length and have the exact same cross-section. So basically an A340-300 is an A330-300 with 4 little engines instead of 2 larger ones (well at least from the outside and in the cabin). The configuration in the filing, and the one they just announced with the press release about the award shows the exact confirguration of the old A330-300. That means the sleeper envoy up front, the extra 2 rows of envoy, and 33-34" pitch in economy.

This was/is a great configuration for that plane.....now can we all say a prayer that Tempe decides to honor this configuration and not try to squeeze out more of the plane?!?!?!

 

[Art at ISP]

You know, not to put a damper on things, two years is a long time. The award is TENTATIVE, meaning there are probably other terms and conditions US has to meet (the others as well).

The bigger question is when all is said and done, will there even be a US Airways in 2 years? I mean I certainly hope so, but right now it is an unanswered question.

Regarding the 340's, I fear they will get the cheapest ones they can find and make them as uncomfortable as possible---recent history supports this unfortunately.

 

[FlightChic]

Here is the press release:

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070925/latu105.html?.v=101

Press Release Source: US Airways

US Airways Awarded New China Route
Tuesday September 25, 11:33 am ET
Airline plans to begin its first-ever non-stop service to Beijing from its Philadelphia hub in 2009


TEMPE, Ariz., Sept. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today announced it has awarded US Airways (NYSE: LCC - News) a new route between its Philadelphia hub and the Chinese capital city of Beijing. The daily service to China will begin in 2009 with wide-body Airbus A340 aircraft configured to seat 269 (42 Envoy and 227 economy). The flight will originate at the airline's hub in Charlotte, N.C.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050223/LAW097LOGO)

US Airways Chairman and CEO Doug Parker stated, "We are extremely honored by the Department's decision to award US Airways with this service, and I want to personally thank Secretary Peters and others on her staff who worked diligently to review our application. The Department conducted a fair and thorough process and because of that work, today, US Airways has been presented with an historic opportunity for our airline's employees and our customers."

Continues Parker, "We are also most appreciative of the support demonstrated by many federal, state and local elected officials and business leaders. Specifically, from Pennsylvania, Gov. Edward G. Rendell and U.S. Senators Arlen Specter and Robert P. Casey, Jr. and Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street; from North Carolina, Senators Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr as well as Gov. Michael F. Easley and Charlotte Mayor Patrick McCrory; from Delaware, Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr., Sen. Thomas R. Carper, U.S. Rep. Michael N. Castle and Gov. Ruth Ann Minner.

"Lastly, thanks to our customers and employees also played a big role in garnering support for this service, further demonstrating how working together can bring about positive results for the future of US Airways."

Philadelphia is the second largest city on the East Coast and the fifth in the nation, with a metropolitan area of almost six million people. Before the DOT award, it is also the second largest U.S. metro area without nonstop service to China.

US Airways currently serves 19 million customers annually at its Philadelphia hub, and operates 417 daily flights to 111 destinations in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America.

US Airways is the fifth largest domestic airline employing more than 36,000 aviation professionals worldwide. US Airways, US Airways Shuttle and US Airways Express operate approximately 3,800 flights per day and serve more than 230 communities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. The new US Airways -- the product of a merger between America West and US Airways in September 2005 -- is a member of the Star Alliance, which provides connections for our customers to 855 destinations in 155 countries worldwide. This press release and additional information on US Airways can be found at http://www.usairways.com. (LCCG).

-Fly with US-




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: US Airways

 

[ClueByFour]

What is the trigger for "tentative" to become "permanent" in this case?

 

[SKY HIGH]

"Well, bust my britches SusieQ!' guess I'll be eating Crow tonite..........didn't think US had a chance in hell in landing these routes.

sky high states: As they say in China, we got a "HAPPY ENDING".


<g>

only stating opinions

 

[Travelpro72]

Let's hold off on HAPPY ENDING until we see just how "happy" they make it. I don't want to turn this award negative as it's good for the company. I just want to see how great they make it for employee and customer. Past track record applies.

 

[PHLfa88]

I'm Sorry...But Can Anyone Tell Me Where In The News Release Does It Say TENTATIVE? Once Again...No One Has ANYTHING Positive About Anything!! PATHETIC!! :down:

 

[Flying Titan]

What is the trigger for "tentative" to become "permanent" in this case?

This is largely a formality. The tentative award allows objections to be filed to and considered by DOT. For example, if MaxJet feels their application wasn't properly considered or if there was a problem with one of the "winning" awards, they can object and state their reasons why. I would be surprised to see the award taken away from any of the carriers announced today.

 

[N965VJ]

<SNIP> No One Has ANYTHING Positive About Anything!! PATHETIC!! :down:

I think that’s a positively nice picture of you in your avatar.


Anyway, NW and CO is a tentative as well. Hint, hint.

 

[HPearlyretiree]

This is great news!

Good to hear it.

 

[FlightChic]

I'm Sorry...But Can Anyone Tell Me Where In The News Release Does It Say TENTATIVE? Once Again...No One Has ANYTHING Positive About Anything!! PATHETIC!! :down:

It's a great opportunity for us and I want more than anything to be in the big leagues along with the major carriers. What worries me is the fact that we can't even get from PVD to PHL without diverting for fuel (yes, this did happen to me unfortuntely - I can't believe I survived) and we are often late for no apparent reason. Our international operation is really screwed up. Being the LCC (low class carrier) that we are, I just don't think US is ready for China.

 

[LCC_#1]

I'm Sorry...But Can Anyone Tell Me Where In The News Release Does It Say TENTATIVE? Once Again...No One Has ANYTHING Positive About Anything!! PATHETIC!! :down:

Post 4
Listing #5

 

[USstew23]

I bet the Chinese just can't wait!

Tempe is probably already seeing if they can fit 300 cups of Ramen noodles in a single galley.

Well at least they won't notice that "generous seat pitch"

 

[slipnutwrench]

I just drove by the airport in Tuscon. SSSHHHHHHH.............. They were towing the HP 747-200's out of the sand, filling up the tires with nitrogen, and moving them into the overhaul hangars!!!!!! The mechanics there said Parker just this morning ordered a complete DAILY Check on these aircraft along with a fresh exterior paint job. Oh, I almost forgot, new seat covers (first class only)!!!!!! This information is not to be released to parties outside the sand castle until further notice (TOP SECRET).