US Airways today dedicates the first of its special ‘throwback’ aircraft. Painted in the style of Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) aircraft but with US Airways appearing on the fuselage, the ‘throwback’ plane is complete with the famous smile painted on the front of the aircraft. Current US Airways employees, formerly with PSA, and hundreds of retired PSA employees, some even dressed in the airline’s unique and memorable uniforms of the past which included hot pants and go-go boots, will join with US Airways management to officially dedicate the aircraft at San Diego International Airport, the former home of PSA.

The aircraft registration, or tail number, of the PSA ‘throwback’ aircraft has been changed to reflect PSA’s original designator. US Airways aircraft N742US will now be N742PS. Other ‘throwback’ aircraft to appear later this year will also have their registration numbers changed to reflect the liveries they bear.

PSA began initial operations on May 6, 1949, flying a leased DC-3 aircraft with a seating capacity of 31 once a week, between San Diego and Oakland via Hollywood/Burbank. On May 29, 1987 PSA officially merged with USAir, which in 1997 changed its name to the present-day US Airways.

US Airways Chairman, President and CEO Doug Parker remarked, "Today we celebrate the past of one of the most distinctive airlines ever to take flight, PSA. Our PSA ‘throwback’ aircraft is dedicated to the current US Airways employees who joined our airline in 1987 when PSA merged with the former USAir, and who still exemplify the ‘catch our smile’ spirit today. Although many of our 35,000 dedicated employees may have begun their aviation careers with other airlines, our vast experience contributes to the single goal we share at the new US Airways: To create an airline that our customers enjoy flying on, and most importantly that our employees can be proud to be a part of."

US Airways will dedicate other ‘throwback’ aircraft later this year reflecting the paint schemes of Allegheny Airlines, America West Airlines and Piedmont Airlines. In addition, every aircraft in the US Airways fleet honors the airline’s past by bearing the Heritage symbol, which appears near the aircraft door. The Heritage symbol incorporates the classic logos of the four largest airlines that have merged over the years to create the new US Airways: Allegheny, America West, PSA and Piedmont.

US Airways and America West’s recent merger creates the fifth largest domestic airline employing 35,000 aviation professionals. US Airways, US Airways Shuttle and US Airways Express operate approximately 3,700 flights per day and serve more than 230 communities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. (LCCG)

US Airways is a member of the Star Alliance, which was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer customers worldwide reach and a smooth travel experience. Star Alliance was voted Best Airline Alliance by Skytrax in 2003 and 2005. The members are Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Spanair, TAP Portugal, THAI, United, US Airways and VARIG Brazilian Airlines. South African Airways and SWISS will be integrated during the first half of 2006. Regional member carriers Adria Airways (Slovenia), Blue1 (Finland) and Croatia Airlines enhance the global network. Overall, Star Alliance offers more than 15,000 daily flights to 790 destinations in 138 countries.

Source: US Airways
Pictures provided and copyrighted by US Airways
For further information about US Airways, click here