US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Transatlantic Equipment

With the codeshare in process, does it look like there may be a chance of equipment changes transatlantic? I was just wondering if the 767-200's might be on the way out to be replaced with UA equipment or additional Airbus equipment. Going in February and was maybe hoping to get off of the 767-2.

No - the codeshare will allow you to fly USAirways to a United Gateway(i.e. SFO, LAX, ORD) and pick up an international segment. Likewise, it will allow UA to funnel passengers into PHL, PIT or CLT to pickup US transatlantic flights.

The Code-share only benefits the players when they fly passengers on their own metal. Dropping an international route would go against this logic.

As a further illustration to this point, once US gets into the Star Alliance, I can see a lot of LH customers flying into PHL and then connecting to a US flight to any of their nonstop destinations.

The rumors are that the 767-200's will remain, but some may be returned to the lessors. Some of these came from the Piedmont days and some have been acquired since that 1989 merger.

The rumors go also say that the 330's may be replaced by 767-300s - possibly a swap with Asiana. So - booking a Feb trip on US will probably be the same equipment that you book it on. If your destination is served by a 330(LGW, CDG, FCO, FRA, MAN, SJU), then you should try to steer towards it. MUN, AMS, MAD are still serviced only on the 767-200.

PHL --

You are correct about the rumors widely circulating that US would truly love to wash their hands of the A330s. From a pax perspective, they are fabulous aircraft! However, US has a tough time filling the full capacity with consistency throughout the year --- additionally, there have been some unanticipated reliability issues.

The 767-200s or new-300s would offer familiarity with somewhat less inventory (excess seats) at risk.

I, for one, would hate to see it.

I know in an ideal world that every in-flight amenity is negotiable/customizable, but which other carriers are using the Passport entertainment system on 767s? Just curious whether this is really a 'new plane' install kind of deal, or whether there are retrofits out there.

I could deal with all 767s if they had cleaner/newer seats and the Passport system. Would be a significant 'upgrade' from the current old 767s!

Also - since it was mentioned above that filling the 330s has been a problem, esp off-season.. Wouldnt it make sense to hold on to them for a bit longer to see if the UA codeshare and future Star Alliance connections might help put butts in seats? Why reduce capacity now?

[This message has been edited by hscottm (edited 10-08-2002).]