US AIRWAYS' NEW AIRBUS A330-300 TO BE INTRODUCED ON CHARLOTTE-FRANKFURT AND -LONDON ROUTES

US Airways will introduce its new Airbus A330-300 widebody aircraft to customers traveling from its Charlotte, N.C., hub to both Frankfurt, Germany, and London, England, in early 2001. This upgrade to a larger aircraft for international flights reaffirms US Airways’ commitment to enhancing service in the Carolinas.

The A330 will be launched between Charlotte and Frankfurt on Jan. 21 and between Charlotte and London’s Gatwick Airport on March 4. US Airways currently operates one daily nonstop roundtrip flight in each of these markets.

"Charlotte has proven to be a resounding success as a transatlantic Southeast gateway where record numbers of passengers routinely fly US Airways to Europe," said US Airways Senior Vice President of Planning Gregory T. Taylor. "With the A330’s operational efficiencies, and its spacious cabin and roomier seats, we are setting new standards for air travel at Charlotte."

For example, the A330 is the only aircraft operated by a U.S. carrier with an on-demand audio and video system in every seat of the aircraft, bringing customers the finest quality in-flight entertainment. The A330 also offers more under-seat and overhead storage space, and greater cargo capacity.

US Airways’ first A330 entered service on May 4 between Philadelphia and Paris’ Charles De Gaulle Airport. Currently, five A330s are in the US Airways fleet. Eight of these widebody aircraft will be in the fleet when US Airways launches the Charlotte-London A330 service. US Airways is the first U.S. carrier to fly the A330 and could take delivery of as many as 30 A330s for use on its transatlantic routes.

In addition to its 266 comfortable ergonomically designed seats, the A330 provides US Airways with the ability to carry eight 96" x 125" pallets of cargo in its holds, which have a total of 5,751 cubic feet of space, a significant increase over most other transatlantic widebody aircraft.

Some of the features of the A330 include:

First Class

•  An exclusive setting with maximum comfort and choice. With one row of six seats in a 2-2-2 configuration, cabin space is extensive.

•  Electrically powered fully adjustable seats that recline 180 degrees into a bed. The seat features four-way pneumatic lumbar support, an adjustable headrest and footbar and a personal reading light.

•  Privacy screens between each seat create a quiet, intimate experience when the seat is reclined.

•  The Sony P@ssport™ in-flight entertainment system offers audio and video on demand.

•  Computer power and data ports, in addition to an in-seat satellite telephone, provide continual voice, fax and e-mail communications throughout the flight.

•  All flights to Europe offer Signature appetizers, entrees and dessert selections exclusively designed for US Airways by Master Chef Georges Perrier of the world renowned Le Bec-Fin restaurant in Philadelphia.

•  Vintage champagnes and premium wines, as well as spirits, espresso, cappuccino and specialty beverages.

• Customers are surrounded in luxury with US Airways’ full-sized comforter, blanket, pillows, two-piece sleep suit and slippers, as well as a luxury amenity kit featuring Aromathology personal care products by Crabtree and Evelyn®.

Envoy Class

•  Seating offers two cabins and six rows, where every seat is on a window or aisle for a total of 36 seats.

•  60-inch seat pitch that reclines 160 degrees, offering four-way pneumatic lumbar support, an adjustable headrest and footbar and a personal reading light.

•  On demand audio and video Sony P@ssport™ entertainment system.

•  Award-winning Envoy Class dining including contemporary cuisine with a choice of four entrees featuring Signature Chef’s Selections.

•  Wine cellar offers premium champagnes, vintage French and California wines, and regional wines from Italy, Germany and Spain.

•  Amenity kit features personal care products by Crabtree and Evelyn®.

Coach Class

•  28 rows in which customers are seated in a 2-4-2 configuration and are never more than one seat away from the aisle. With up to 34-inch pitch, the personal space is among the most generous in the industry.

•  Sony P@ssport™ Audio and Video On Demand personal entertainment system at every seat.

•  Seats that feature an adjustable headrest and lumbar support, as well as personal laptop power supply. In addition, a personal phone for domestic and international calls is available throughout the flight and fitted in each seat.

•  Meal service includes a choice of two entrees, with complimentary wines from France, Germany, Italy and California, and domestic and imported beer and spirits.

Along with the Airbus A330-300 widebody aircraft for use in transatlantic operations, US Airways is receiving Airbus A320-family aircraft at the rate of about one per week. US Airways has firm orders, reconfirmable orders and options for as many as 400 Airbus A320-family single-aisle aircraft. US Airways will be the first U.S. carrier to fly the A321, which it will begin receiving next year for use in transcontinental service.

The Airbus A320-family aircraft will be used primarily in US Airways’ domestic operations, as well as to the Caribbean and to Canada.

US Airways is the fifth largest airline in the world in terms of passengers boarded and has the most comprehensive route network throughout the eastern United States of any airline and serves most major cities in the western U.S. from its hubs in Charlotte, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.

US Airways serves the European destinations of London, Frankfurt and Paris from Charlotte. US Airways currently serves both Frankfurt and Paris from Pittsburgh and will begin service between Pittsburgh and London on July 17. US Airways flies to the European cities of Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Manchester, Munich, Paris and Rome from Philadelphia.

US Airways, the US Airways Express carriers, US Airways Shuttle, and low-fare MetroJet fly to 205 destinations worldwide, including 38 states in the U.S., Bermuda, Cancun, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay, Nassau, San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, St. Croix, and the Canadian destinations of Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Hamilton, and London, Ontario.