America West Airlines

America West Airlines was a U.S. airline founded in 1981 and headquartered in Tempe, Arizona. It focused on serving the American West while also expanding to other parts of the United States and selected international markets. Like many carriers, it operated in a highly competitive environment shaped by airline deregulation, fuel costs, and industry cycles. In 2005, its parent company merged with US Airways Group. The combined company used the US Airways brand, and America West ceased operating as an independent airline. In 2013, US Airways merged with American Airlines Group, bringing the former America West business into the American Airlines system. America West is therefore no longer an independently operating airline brand.

America West Airlines was founded in 1981 and headquartered in Tempe, Arizona. It emerged during a period of major change in the U.S. airline industry and initially focused on scheduled passenger services in the American West. As it developed, the airline expanded its network to other parts of the United States and selected international destinations. It operated under the America West brand and competed through its route network and connecting operations. In 2005, the parent company of America West Airlines merged with US Airways Group. The combined airline adopted the US Airways brand, and America West ceased to exist as an independent operating airline, although its assets, operations, and organizational base became part of the merged carrier. In 2013, US Airways merged with American Airlines Group, and the combined company ultimately operated under the American Airlines brand. America West's operational legacy therefore continued within the American Airlines system, while the original brand itself was discontinued.

• 2013

  Absorbed into the American Airlines system

  US Airways merges with American Airlines Group, and America West's business legacy passes with US Airways into the American Airlines system.

• 2005

  Merger with US Airways Group

  America West Airlines' parent company merges with US Airways Group, and America West ceases to operate as an independent airline.

• 1981

  Company founded

  America West Airlines is founded and begins scheduled passenger service with the American West as its core market.

A scheduled air passenger carrier whose core market was the western United States

• 1981

  Scheduled passenger flights

  Scheduled passenger air service was America West's core business. The airline initially emphasized routes in the American West and later expanded to other U.S. regions and selected international destinations.

• Domestic air transportation

  Domestic air transportation connected western U.S. cities with other major markets and formed an important part of the airline's network and positioning.

• International air transportation

  During its later development, the airline operated selected international routes, providing cross-border connections for markets in the American West. The route scope changed over time.