Saw this article today. US Airways is applying for a 2008 route to China. US Airways wants to fly from Philadelphia to Shanghai. I don't think the 767 or A330 can make that trip. The A350 may be able to make it, but that is not due to arrive for several years.

How is US Airways going to serve this route???
According to the article:
Here is the full article below:

From the East Coast to the Far East

TEMPE, Ariz., March 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- US Airways LCC plans to apply for Philadelphia-Shanghai service later this year when the U.S. Department of Transportation calls for 2008 U.S.-China applications. If approved by the DOT, the service will begin in March 2008 and will be the new US Airways' first service into Asia.


(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050223/LAW097LOGO)

"This proposed route would be the first US Airways service to China and would provide access from our largest international hub to one of Asia's leading countries for commerce, culture and tourism," said US Airways Chairman and CEO Doug Parker. "China is one of the fastest growing markets in the world, an important destination for both business and leisure flyers."

"US Airways' decision to base its first non-stop flights to China out of Philadelphia is a testament to the region and builds on the company's commitment to Pennsylvania," said state Governor Edward G. Rendell. "Philadelphia International is a world-class facility, serving one of the nation's largest metropolitan areas. Its reputation for excellence will help the airline succeed in this competitive industry, while creating new opportunities for the region's residents and travelers."

"US Airways application for nonstop service to China addresses the Philadelphia region's need for convenient access to one of the world's rapidly growing economic, cultural and tourist centers," said Mayor John F. Street. "This exciting initiative will open new opportunities for mutually beneficial economic and cultural exchanges between one of Asia's most important countries and one of America's great cities."

US Airways currently serves 19 million customers annually at its Philadelphia hub, and operates 425 daily flights daily to 109 destinations in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. The airline will add service to Athens, Greece; Brussels, Belgium and Zurich, Switzerland from Philadelphia beginning in May.

"Expansion to Asia is a logical next step for our airline, our 37,000 employees, and our customers," Parker said. "We are well-positioned at Philadelphia to conveniently serve business travelers from communities large and small throughout the Eastern United States, including the Mid-Atlantic region, and leisure travelers who are discovering Asia in increasing numbers. At the same time, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to Philadelphia as US Airways' primary international hub."

Facts on Philadelphia:

* The fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States with a
population of six million people

* Largest U.S. metro area to not have service to China or Asia

* Second-largest city on the East Coast.
US Airways is close to making a decision on acquiring aircraft suitable to fly Philadelphia-Shanghai nonstop and has ample time and financial resources to do so.

US Airways is the fifth largest domestic airline employing more than 37,000 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 network, which offers our customers 16,000 daily flights to 855 destinations in 155 countries worldwide. This press release and additional information on US Airways can be found at www.usairways.com. (LCCG) -Fly with US-

Copyright 2007 PRNewswire

I'm glad for them. Before U.S. Airways buys new jets they need to make the two operations ONE with a standard contract. I don't understand the US Air management team. Parker wasted precious time and resources trying to acquire Delta whereas he should have been getting his house in order.

There is unrest in the LCC camp and seperate pay scales, but he has money to buy another airline and new planes. He hasn't learned rule one and that's take care of the PEOPLE. Then again, he is management. I guess he held off buying the wide bodies because he'd get them in the merger. Now, the wide bodies are years away unless he gets them used AND he's trying to block Delta from going to China, but he doesn't have a legal leg to stand on. Good luck LCC guys.

Tom

BTW, how is that contract coming along?

The other article I read aboout US Airways was that ALPA was sueing US Airways for attempting to merge the two operations without a single new contract.
http://www.reuters.com/article/basic...00662520070301

THe A340-500 can make that trip no problem. I imagine they will order those since it has the same type rating as the 330.

The A340 is a dinosaur. I think Airbus sold 15 of them last year. The twin engine 777 is kicking the crap out of it in orders. Airlines know 4 engine aircraft are more expensive to operate (burn more fuel) and are especially more expensive to maintain. I remember reading last year that Airbus offered to pay airlines the difference in operating expenses between the A340 and 777 (several MILLION dollars per plane), and they still had hardly any orders.

The A340 would be a bad choice. They would be better off with a 777, 787, or even waiting for the A350!!
But I truly do not have a guess as to what, if anything, they will order.
As for the range of the 767 and A330, if US Airways has the 767-200ER and the A330-200, they both have a range of approximately 6,500nm. This is approximately the distance from Philadelphia to Shanghai. They could probably make the trip, but they may need to be weight restricted. Plus they will be competeing against airliners operating 777's and 747's. It would not be smart to attempt to operate that city pair with a 767 or A330.

Read somewhere thay they might lease/buy A345s from Air Canada if needed.

The A340-500 is not economical. It was when oil was $35/barrel or less, but the differentials between it and the 777 are huge. For the same mission the 777 can carry 10 tonnes more payload while burning 10 tonnes less fuel and will do it with a shorter flight time. There really is no competition.

For an East coast to China trip the 787 and A350 are too small. Yes, they can make the flight but the revenue potential is too small to make it very viable. The airplane that would be viable on the route is a 777-200LR. It can make it any time of the year with a full payload.

I would love to see USAirways get the route. They had an opportunity for a Japan route back in the mid 90s, but the union screwed it up for fear they would have to wet lease it out for a few years until they got the airplane to operate it themselves


Typhoonpilot

[QUOTE=ryane946;126547]Saw this article today. US Airways is applying for a 2008 route to China. US Airways wants to fly from Philadelphia to Shanghai. I don't think the 767 or A330 can make that trip. The A350 may be able to make it, but that is not due to arrive for several years.

How is US Airways going to serve this route???

For the "short term" (vague and ambiguous subject to "review) they'll codeshare with China Eastern using their stetch Yugo. An airline that terrifies me more than Korean Air if you can imagine it! Then they'll use the A350 if and when it shows up, but in the meantime here come the Chinese, at greatly reduced labor costs.

The Stevens Amendment was just the beginning.

You mean they should have allowed it just like they did with British Airways on the London routes? You see how good that turned out for the Pilots. USair forfitted all the London routes they had been awarded as well as the ones they purchased from TWA for a few hundred million. The Union didn't screw it up MGT did.

[QUOTE=Sideshow Bob;126652]It is good to see a fellow forward thinker........