What: US Airways commuter en route from Philadelphia to Islip
Where: Long Island MacArthur Airport
When: June 22, 2011, 1:10 p.m
Why: The 50 person commuter jet had to make an emergency diversion to MacArthur Airport when the flight developed a flap problem.
A power outage in Phoenix knocked out all of US Airways computers, grounding flights all over the US.
Boarding pass scanners are also down.
US Airways has published three press releases regarding the outage:
3:
US Airways Releases Third Update Regarding System Outage
TEMPE, Ariz., Jun 10, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) —
US Airways’ (NYSE: LCC) website, usairways.com and airport computer systems have been restored following a systems outage earlier today.
As the operation returns, flights may continue to be delayed.
Early reports indicate that the systems outage was the result of a power outage near one of the airline’s data centers in Phoenix.
We strongly encourage our customers to check their flight status before arriving at the airport by visiting usairways.com or by calling US Airways Reservations at 1-800-428-4322. (LCCG)
SOURCE: US Airways
US Airways
Media Relations, 480-693-5729
2:
US Airways Releases Update Regarding System Outage
TEMPE, Ariz., Jun 10, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) —
US Airways’ (NYSE: LCC) website – usairways.com – and the airline’s airport computer systems are back online and we are working to restore operational order following a systems outage earlier today.
Flights throughout the US Airways system have been impacted and are delayed. While usairways.com is back online, it may perform unreliably and in a delayed fashion.
Early reports indicate that the systems outage was the result of a power outage near one of the airline’s data centers in Phoenix.
We strongly encourage our customers to check their flight status before arriving at the airport by visiting usairways.com or by calling US Airways Reservations at 1-800-428-4322. (LCCG)
SOURCE: US Airways
1:
US Airways Issues Statement Regarding System Outage
TEMPE, Ariz., Jun 10, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) —
US Airways (NYSE: LCC) is experiencing a computer systems outage that has impacted usairways.com and the airline’s airport computer systems.
Early reports indicate that the systems outage is the result of a power outage near one of the airline’s data centers in Phoenix.
Some airport computer systems are coming back online now and we are working to restore operational order.
We strongly encourage our customers to check their flight status before arriving at the airport by calling US Airways Reservations at 1-800-428-4322. (LCCG)
SOURCE: US Airways
US Airways
Media Relations, 480-693-5729
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Christopher Weyer
What: US Airways Airbus A319-100 en route from Atlanta to Charlotte
Where: Atlanta
When: May 13 2011
Who: 128 passengers
Why: After takeoff from Atlanta, the plane was climbing and unable to retract the gear. The pilots returned to Atlanta and made a safe landing.
Vice President of Safety and Regulatory Compliance Paul Morell needs to be ousted for lack of leadership, and ignoring aviation safety concerns of US Airways pilots, according to the pilot reps of the US Airline Pilots Association. Seventeen points have been cited as examples of his dereliction and lapses in safety protocols.
An October pilot survey pointed out pilot concerns that:
Click to view the press release .pdf
What: US Airways Boeing 737-300 en route from Reno, to Phoenix
Where: Las Vegas
When: May 1st 2011
Who: 90 passengers
Why: After takeoff, the right engine developed problems. The pilot shut down the engine and diverted to McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas where they made a safe landing.
Passengers were provided alternative flights. There were no injuries.
What: US Airways Bombardier CRJ-300 en route from New York
Where: Philadelphia International Airport
When: April 22, 2011 7:30 pm
Who: 12 passengers and 3
Why: Citing engine failure, the pilot of a US Airways flight made a successful emergency landing in Philadelphia.
Emergency crews were on standby. No injuries were reported, and no cause for the failure.
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Contact photographer
What: US Airways Boeing 757-200 en route from Orlando to Philadelphia
Where: Lynchburg
When: Apr 16th 2011
Who: flight attendant
Why: The plane took off as normal with no problem, but encountered turbulence near Lynchburg Virginia, during which a flight attendant was seriously injured.
The pilot descended to a lower altitude, and landed safely in Philadelphia less than an hour later.
What: US Airways Boeing 737-400 en route from Dallas to Charlotte.
Where: Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport
When: April 18, 2011, 1 pm
Who: 94 passengers, 5 crew (also reported as 107 aboard)
Why: After pilots smelled smoke in the cockpit, they diverted the flight to Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport where they made a safe landing with local emergency responders as well as fire crews from Pelham-Batesville and Boiling Springs, and Greenville and Spartanburg EMS were on standby when the plane landed.
After the plane was grounded, passengers were taken by bus to Charlotte.
What: US Airways 737
Where: Charlotte-Douglas International Airport
When: March 28, 2011
Who: pilot
Why: Prior to takeoff, a small hole was discovered in the fuselage toward the back of the aircraft on the left side. The flight was cancelled, and the plane was taken out of service. The last flight had been Philadelphia to Charlotte. The cause of the hole has not been determined but the FBI is investigating if it might be a bullet hole that extends from the exterior into the cabin
What: US Airways flight en route to Philadelphia
Where: Columbus Ohio
When: February 25 2011, 3:30 pm
Who: not available
Why: A flight attendant injured boarding was further injured when the flight encountered turbulence. The flight diverted to Port Columbus and made a safe landing where the fight attendant was seen by paramedics and transported to Grant Medical Center. US Airways has no base of operations in Port Columbus; and passengers endured a lengthy wait aboard the plane as USAirways searched for a replacement flight attendant. The flight resumed at 5:15 after a replacement attendant was found .
Nationwide Day of Action Highlights Management’s Failure to Negotiate a Merged Contract
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — US Airways Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), will conduct a nationwide protest over the failure of US Airways management to negotiate a merged Flight Attendant contract. After five years of protracted contract negotiations and the announcement of US Airways’ second biggest profit in the airline’s history, Flight Attendants are united in their effort to reach a fair contract that reflects the sacrifices they made for the success of the airline.
Last week, the AFA Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) broke off talks after US Airways management presented a proposal that contained concessions in healthcare and sick benefits, gutted scope and merger protections for Flight Attendants, and contained no meaningful wage increases. AFA wants to reach a merged agreement but management has failed to provide the financial resources necessary to do so.
LOCATIONS ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17
Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT)- 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST – Outside, Departures, Upper Level US Airways
Washington National Airport (DCA) – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST – Outside, Departures, US Airways
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST – Outside Concourse A West
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. MST – Level 2 North Curb West End
In the first of a series of events, AFA is holding a system-wide Day of Action on February 17, in all Flight Attendant bases, to show management and the public that Flight Attendants are united in their effort to reach a fair merged contract. Tempe-based America West Airlines merged with US Airways in September 2005 and the Flight Attendants have been in merged contract negotiations since January 2006.
What: Air Wisconsin/US Airways flight en route from Charlotte, North Carolina to Ottawa
Where: Ottowa
When: Feb 13, 2011
Who: 49 passengers and three crew
Why: Unidentified fumes in the Air Wisconsin/US Airways flight permeating the cabin and cockpit, forced an emergency landing. Several individuals were removed from the plane requiring medical assistance.
The source of the fumes has not been released.
(Deicing fluid?)
PHOENIX, Feb. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — After five years of protracted contract negotiations and the announcement of US Airways’ second biggest profit in the airline’s history, the members of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) have had enough of management delay tactics and attempts to negotiate a concessionary merged contract.
Yesterday, the AFA Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) broke off talks with US Airways management. Tempe-based America West Airlines merged with US Airways in September 2005 and the Flight Attendants have been in merged contract negotiations since January 2006. US Airways management’s latest proposals contained no meaningful wage increases, concessions in healthcare and sick benefits and gutted scope and merger protections for Flight Attendants.
AFA MEC Presidents Mike Flores (East) and Lisa LeCarre (West) say US Airways CEO Doug Parker has no interest in completing the merger and resolving labor unrest. The two groups of Flight Attendants are unified in frustration and anger at the airline’s management. AFA wants to reach a merged agreement but management has failed to put into a contract the financial resources necessary to do so.
“For five years, US Airways CEO Doug Parker has financed his merged airline off the backs of the Flight Attendants, saving millions by paying Flight Attendant salaries that differ by up to 45 percent,” said AFA US Airways-West President, Lisa LeCarre. “When you merge two companies, the goal is to combine all employee groups and pay them the same wage for the same work. That has not happened. US Airways recently announced historic profits, yet management refuses to negotiate contract improvements and wage increases after years of promised benefits from this merger.”
AFA US Airways-East President Mike Flores said, “US Airways East Flight Attendants have been working under concessionary wages and benefits since 2005 and have provided the means for this airline to not only survive, but prosper. It is high time for all Flight Attendants to share in the company’s success through meaningful wage and benefit improvements.”
In the first of a series of events, AFA is holding a system-wide Day of Action on February 17, in all Flight Attendant bases, to show management and the public that Flight Attendants are united in their effort to reach a fair merged contract.
For over 60 years, the Association of Flight Attendants has been serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill. Nearly 50,000 Flight Attendants at 21 airlines come together to form AFA, the world’s largest Flight Attendant union. AFA is part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org.
Although 24 documented incidents out of about 1.1 million is a very low number, according to an “Observer” survey of 1,560 pilots, US Airways goal of on-time departure may contribute to safety issues. According to U.S. Airways pilots, company policy emphasizes timely departures over safety concerns.
The survey involved fewer than forty percent of the U.S. Airways 4,100 pilots, so the perspective may be skewed. There are factions: west vs east pilots; new pilots over those with seniority. The different groups have different opinions based on decisions the company has made which affects each “group” differently.
USAPA believes the survey can be used to enhance airline safety.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Daniel J. Evans
What: Piedmont/US Airways Havilland Dash 8-300 en route to Lynchburg
Where: Lynchburg Regional Airport.
When: Jan 26, 2010, 10:35 a.m.
Who: 13 passengers, 3 crew
Why: While en route during a heavy rainfall, the plane was struck by lighting.
The plane was 20 nautical miles from Lynchburg at the time of the lightning strike and made a safe landing under a magnitude “Alert Two” emergency. An electrical failure was reported but the plane landed and taxied under its own power.
The plane was then scheduled to be ferried off for repairs. Passengers were scheduled on alternative flights.
What: US Airways en route from Philadelphia to Burlington International
Where: Burlington International
When: Jan 25, 2011
Who: 82 passengers
Why: Before landing, the plane initiated a flap warning light, indicating a problem with the flaps, which help slow the plane.
Emergency crews were on standby during the landing which was expected to be fast, due to the flap problem.
On landing at Burlington, the fast landing stressed the brakes and heated them up. A right brake indicated it was running hot; but there were no injuries. This was the 2nd of two “phase 5” (high level) emergency landings. Both had safe outcomes.
What: US Airways/ PSA Airlines Canadair CRJ-200 en route from Gainesville,FL to Charlotte,NC
Where: Gainesville
When: Jan 24th 2011
Why: While en route, the flight developed engine trouble.
The flight returned to Gainesville and made a safe landing within half an hour.
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What: US Airways Airbus A320-200 en route from Chicago O’Hare to Phoenix
Where: Eppley Airfield, Omaha
When: Jan 23rd 2011 9:30 am
Who: 107 aboard
Why: While en route, the plane developed electrical problems affecting cabin temperature. The pilot made a safe landing after diverting to Omaha, and landing without nose gear steering, without which, the plane had to be towed to the gate.
TEMPE, Ariz. and BELLEVUE, Wash., Jan. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — US Airways (NYSE: LCC) and Expedia, Inc., the world’s largest online travel company (Nasdaq: EXPE), today announced they have signed a multi-year strategic partnership agreement to continue offering US Airways’ full range of products and services, including all fares and inventory, through Expedia®, Hotwire® and Egencia® sites around the world.
Under the agreement, US Airways has committed to offer all of its content to Expedia through the global distribution system (GDS) model, a central reservation system which is used by travel agencies to search and book travel. In addition, Expedia has committed to working with US Airways to enable the distribution of its Choice Seats product (offering customers the benefit of purchasing window or aisle seats toward the front of Coach class) through new channels, including the Expedia online travel marketplace.
US Airways’ Senior Vice President, Marketing and Planning Andrew Nocella said, “We are committed to making it as easy as possible for our customers to purchase tickets from US Airways through as many sources as possible. More and more people want to book their own travel and they want to do it online. Expedia is the world’s largest online travel company and we’re pleased that they will continue to be one of our key points of distribution.”
US Airways, Expedia and the companies’ many loyal customers will benefit from the new agreement, which gives US Airways continued access to Expedia’s marketplace, online travel expertise, broad reach and targeted merchandising opportunities. Additionally, Expedia’s travelers will gain greater access to all fares across US Airways’ extensive network of domestic and international flights. US Airways’ more than 3,200 flight options per day, and Expedia’s leading hotel and car rental offerings will allow consumers to find the most comprehensive travel options at the most competitive prices available, all in one place.
Expedia’s Co-President, Partner Services Group Dhiren Fonseca said, “Expedia and US Airways share a commitment to providing travelers with affordable travel options around the world, without sacrificing the high level of service they have come to expect from our companies. They are one of the brands our customers come to look for and we’re thrilled to extend our partnership.”
Expedia’s Co-President, Partner Services Group Gary Fritz added, “This agreement demonstrates the significance of Expedia’s marketplace for both our valued partners and our loyal customers. Expedia is committed to working collaboratively with our partners to offer customers the broadest range of opportunities at the guaranteed best prices.”
What: Piedmont Airlines/US Airways de Havilland Dash 8-100 en route from Philadelphia to New Haven
Where: Islip
When: Jan 7th 2011
Who: 32 passengers, 3 crew
Why: While en route near Islap, the plane was struck by lightning. When the plane experienced electrical problems, the pilots decided to divert to Islap and landed within ten minutes. Local weather included snow and thunderstorms.
What: U S Airways en route from Rhode Island
Where: Boston
When: Dec 27, 2010
Who: 80 passengers
Why: While en route, the plane developed problems with the wing flaps. The flight diverted to Boston where they made a safe landing at Logan International.
What: US Airways/Air Wisconsin Canadair CRJ-200 en route from Philadelphia,PA (USA) to Ottawa,ON
Where: Philadelphia
When: Dec 11th 2010
Why: After takeoff, the flight developed a de-icing problem (or would this be an icing problem?)
The flight landed safely back in Philadelphia; and then went on to arrive in Ottawa about an hour and a half late.
What: US Airways Boeing 737 en route from Ft Lauderdale
Where: Ft Lauderdale
When: Dec 9 2010
Why: Shortly after takeoff, the US Airways Boeing had a bird strike, and a fireball came out of one of the engines, and it was “blown out.” The plane returned safely to Ft. Lauderdale and landed. There were no injuries except for the bird.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Joe M Hill
What: US Airways Boeing 737-400 en route from Fort Lauderdale,FL to Washington DC
Where: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood
When: December 8, 2010
Who: 70 passengers 5 crew
Why: After takeoff from Fort Lauderdale, the flight incurred a bird strike in an engine that affected a generator. The strike caused vibration in the right engine. The pilot turned back to the airport and made a safe landing. Passengers were provided alternative flights. Damage to the engine housing was reported.
Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
Contact photographer Fred Seggie
What: U S Airways Boeing 757-200 from Philadelphia to Brussels
Where: Stephenville
When: Oct 24, 2010, 10:00 pm
Who: 149 passengers, 9 crew
Why: The flight diverted to Stephenville when there was smoke in the cockpit. Passengers disembarked, and waited in the terminal until the replacement flight arrived at 5:30 a.m.
