Airline branding and HQ: The combined company will retain the iconic
American Airlines brand name, and will provide you with more choices and better service throughout the world. The combined company will be headquartered in Dallas-Fort Worth and will maintain a significant corporate, operational and hub presence in Phoenix. (US, 14 Feb 2013)
Airline operation: At this time, we will continue to operate as two separate carriers flying the same schedules that we do today. As the new American takes shape, we expect to offer even better schedule options in our existing hubs, provide more choices than any other airline across the East Coast and Central U.S. regions, expand our network on the West Coast and enhance our existing loyalty program benefits with more opportunities to earn and redeem miles across the combined network. (US, 14 Feb 2013)
Booking / Reservation System: AA has Sabre, US Shares. "Starting now, we will evaluate systems in the marketplace. It’s premature to say which one we would select going forward but it will be a 12 to 18 month-long process. A but if you look at mergers that were successful, you look for where the least disruption would be [in a system conversion]." Derek DeCross, AA VP Global Sales, 14 Feb 2013
link
Combined route map (14 Feb 2013): Domestic
link and Global
link
Fleet and configuration: The combined company is expected to maintain all hubs currently served by American Airlines and US Airways, with increased service to existing markets and service to new cities. It is also expected to provide the most service across the East Coast and Central regions of the U.S., including the East Coast shuttle, and to expand its presence and further strengthen its network on the West Coast ... Customers will also benefit from American's landmark agreements with Airbus and Boeing, designed to transform the new American Airlines fleet over the next four years and solidify its fleet plan into the next decade. The combined airline is planning to take delivery of 607 new aircraft, including 517 narrowbody aircraft and 90 widebody international aircraft, most of which will be equipped with advanced in-seat inflight entertainment systems offering thousands of hours of programming, inflight Wi-Fi offering connectivity throughout the world, and "Main Cabin Extra" seating with 4 to 6 inches of additional legroom in the Main Cabin. In addition, as currently provided on US Airways' Airbus A330 international Envoy service, American's new transcontinental and international widebody aircraft will feature lie-flat, all-aisle access premium class seats. (US Airways, 14 Feb 2013)
After merger completion, AA pilots will fly AA aircraft and US pilots will fly US aircraft, for three years thereafter. (
US presentation to SEC, 10 Jan 2013))
Frequent Flyer Program: Until the merger is complete, US Airways and American Airlines will remain separate companies and each company will maintain its current loyalty programs (US Airways – Dividend Miles and American Airlines – AAdvantage). Existing miles will be honored, and there will be no impact to your US Airways MasterCard® or US Airways Visa® card. You can continue to earn and redeem mileage for travel awards with us and our Star Alliance partners. You can also continue to book, track and manage flights on usairways.com. (US, 14 Feb 2013)
Originally Posted by Suzanne L. Rubin
"...At this time, American and US Airways will remain separate companies and each company will maintain its current loyalty program — our AAdvantage program and US Airways Dividend Miles.
I want to assure you that your AAdvantage miles are secure and existing miles will continue to be honored. Likewise, your elite qualifying miles and your elite status, including lifetime status granted under the Million MilerSM program are secure and remain intact. In addition, you will continue to earn miles through existing AAdvantage participating companies and you will be able to redeem those miles for the same great awards — flights, upgrades, car rentals and hotels just to name a few.
The AAdvantage program, including the elite program and its various facets such as lifetime status, upgrades, and bonus mileage, are intact, and as an AAdvantage elite status member, you will continue to enjoy unparalleled benefits through one of the largest and most popular loyalty programs in the world and you can continue to book, track and manage flights and your AAdvantage account on AA.com.
Ultimately, the combined company is expected to offer members more opportunities to earn and burn miles from an expanded global network of routes and partnerships, unmatched redemption options including flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages, one-way awards, lounge memberships, and much more.
We expect the transaction to close in the third quarter of 2013, subject to customary approvals and closing conditions, and I will keep you updated throughout the process. In the interim, I invite you to visit
www.aa.com/arriving for more information. (President — AAdvantage® Loyalty Program, 14 Feb 2013)
Hubs: "The combined company is expected to maintain all hubs currently served by American Airlines and US Airways (Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington D.C.) so you can enjoy all the connections you always have—plus many more as our two complementary networks come together." (US 14 Feb 2013)
MERGER FAQ (US, 14 Feb 2013):
Code:
Frequently Asked Questions
Below please find a set of questions that may help to address any
inquiries you may have. For detailed information about the merger
please visit: newAmericanarriving.com
1. Will my future reservations on US Airways be affected?
No – you will not see any changes to your existing travel reservations.
You should continue to book, track and manage flights through
usairways.com.
2. What does an American Airlines-US Airways merger mean for me?
Our customers will have access to more choices and better service across
a larger global network, as well as the expanded international
opportunities that come with a stronger oneworld® Alliance. The
combined company is expected to provide the most service in the East
Coast; including the US Airways Shuttle, Central regions of the U.S.,
and become a stronger competitor with a greater network presence on
the West Coast. It is also expected to have the world’s largest loyalty
program, as well as the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleet among its
U.S. airline peers within five years.
3. What changes can I expect to see immediately?
As we work toward completing the merger, it remains business as
usual at US Airways and American Airlines—nothing will immediately
change. We expect the transaction to be completed in the third
quarter of 2013.
For now, you can continue to book, track and manage flights through
usairways.com, and earn Dividend Miles by flying with us and through
our numerous mileage partners. Existing miles will be honored, and
there will be no impact to your US Airways MasterCard® or US Airways
Visa® card.
4. Will you still keep flying to my city?
The combined company is expected to maintain all existing hubs and
service to all destinations currently served by American Airlines and
US Airways, and to expand small-city service, providing significant
benefits to those communities.
5. What will be the impact on international service?
Customers will have access to more choices and better service across
a larger global network, as well as the expanded international
opportunities that come with a stronger oneworld Alliance.
6. Can I now fly American Airlines with my US Airways ticket
and vice versa?
No – American Airlines and US Airways will remain independent airlines
until the merger closes, and you should continue to book, track and
manage flights on usairways.com as you normally do.
7. Do I need to sign up for American Airlines’ frequent flyer program?
No – until the merger closes, American Airlines and US Airways will
remain separate companies, and each will maintain its current loyalty
program. We’ll keep you updated on our progress to merge both
programs.
8. Can I continue to earn and redeem miles for travel awards
with Star Alliance partners?
Yes – until the merger closes, you can continue to earn and
redeem mileage with our Star Alliance partners.
9. When will the merger be completed?
The merger must be approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the
southern District of New York, and is subject to regulatory approvals,
customary closing conditions and approval by US Airways shareholders.
We expect the transaction to be completed in the third quarter of 2013.
10. What will the new company be called?
The combined airline will retain the iconic American Airlines name,
one of the most recognized brand names in the world.