Reaching the Top

Doug Parker

Last month, the U.S. Department of Transportation released its Air Travel Consumer Report. This monthly report provides consumers with information on the quality of services provided by airlines. In it was some very good news for you, our valued customer.

I’m pleased to announce that in 2008 US Airways ranked number one among the “Big Six” hub and spoke carriers for on-time performance.

That means our airline outperformed American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, and United. Like US Airways, these carriers operate hub and spoke networks that connect customers to the vast number of domestic and international destinations they serve; they too operate multiple types and sizes of aircraft and participate in codeshare alliances that let customers earn frequent flyer miles and enjoy other benefits on partner airlines.

In addition to outperforming our “Big Six” competitors, we also ranked number one among the major carriers serving those airports at all three of our hubs. This means we outpaced airlines like Southwest and Jet Blue in our hubs in Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Charlotte. Simply put, in 2008, we were the best of the best where it counts the most for our customers: being on time.

Put all of that together, and our operational turnaround is nothing short of incredible. In fact, when compared to our “Big Six” competitors, we’ve gone from worst to first in 12 short months. And when you consider the backdrop of staggering swings in fuel price, the economic downturn, and some of the most severe summer and winter weather in recent memory, our turnaround is that much more impressive.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the collective efforts of the 34,000 US Airways employees working hard to get you to your destination safely and on time. Their focus and determination in the face of one of the most challenging years in our industry’s history is truly remarkable, and I am honored to lead them.

From all of us at US Airways, thank you for flying with us today. We hope you enjoy your flight, and we look forward to seeing you again soon. Doug Parker Chairman and CEO

Doug Parker
Chairman and CEO