FORT WORTH, Texas -TEMPE, Ariz.
Following Wednesday’s news of the merger between US Airways and American Airlines, the companies released further details on the situation Thursday.
The combined airline will offer more than 6,700 daily flights to 336 destinations in 56 countries. The combined airline is expected to maintain all hubs currently served by American Airlines and US Airways, resulting in more travel options for customers. Both airlines expect that the regional carriers they own – AMR Corporation’s American Eagle and US Airways’ Piedmont and PSA – will continue to operate as distinct entities. The company will be headquartered in Dallas-Fort Worth but will maintain a significant corporate and operational presence in Phoenix.
“Today, we are proud to launch the new American Airlines – a premier global carrier well equipped to compete and win against the best in the world,” said Tom Horton, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of American Airlines. “Together, we will be even better positioned to deliver for all of our stakeholders, including our customers, people, investors, partners, and the many communities we serve.”
The combined airline is expected to:
•Provide the most service across the East Coast and Central regions of the U.S., including the East Coast shuttle, enhancing the combined carrier’s competitive position
•Expand its presence and further strengthen the network in the Western U.S.
•Bolster American’s industry-leading position in Latin America and the Caribbean
•Enhance connectivity within the oneworld Alliance – including joint businesses with British Airways and Iberia across the Atlantic and with Japan Airlines and Qantas across the Pacific – creating more options for travel and benefits both domestically and internationally
•Serve 21 destinations in Europe and the Middle East
•Maintain current hubs of both American Airlines and US Airways, resulting in more choices for customers
•Improve traffic flows through the existing hubs of both carriers
•Expand service from those hubs to offer increased service to existing markets and service to new cities
Customers can continue to book travel and track and manage flights and frequent flyer activity through AA.com or USAirways.com, and will continue to enjoy all benefits and rewards of the AAdvantage and Dividend Miles frequent flyer programs. At this time, there are no changes to the frequent flyer programs of either airline as a result of the merger agreement.
