America West FlightFund (Discontinued Program) - New Aircraft?

I don't recall seeing anything about HP taking delivery of new Airbus planes... but while at the gate in LAS this morning, one of the gate agents was talking to the FA about how nice the new A320 was that he had just sent off. All leather seats, had a "new car smell," according to the agent.

I did find an article confirming that HP had placed firm orders for 17 new Airbus aircraft, but they weren't due for delivery until late 2005 at the earliest. Perhaps that's been moved up? Or was an existing aircraft refurbished?

Anyone know for sure?

We did take delivery of a new plane this week, so that is what you likely encountered. If I recall, there are four (or more) new aircraft joining the fleet this year and they are mostly in the 4th quarter.

The new ones that are currently ordered will all be A319 or A320's.

We did take delivery of a new plane this week, so that is what you likely encountered. If I recall, there are four (or more) new aircraft joining the fleet this year and they are mostly in the 4th quarter.

The new ones that are currently ordered will all be A319 or A320's.

Actually, HP has 22 319/320's on order from Airbus. HP will take delivery of 11 aircraft this year. The rest of the order arrives in 06.

You can look in the FF mag every month.... they give equipment counts on the page that describes the fleet. I had noticed that the numbers of 319/320's and CR9's have gone up in the past couple of months.

Actually, HP has 22 319/320's on order from Airbus. HP will take delivery of 11 aircraft this year. The rest of the order arrives in 06.

I thought the number was recently reduced, but I may be wrong.

I thought the number was recently reduced, but I may be wrong.

It wasn't reduced. AWA has to take these 22 aircraft as part of a deal getting them out of the 318 order. The first five were leased and the rest were actually purchased by AWA. The majority will come in late 2005 and the other 11 in 06.

I heard a rumor that AWA will return 5 or 6 733's this summer as the leasing companies are playing hard ball. With the new aircraft there will be no schedule cuts, but little added. I think they added LAS-PIT and ANC.

I thought the number was recently reduced, but I may be wrong.

Nope. HP's order consists of five leased aircraft and 17 to purchased directly from Airbus. The five leased planes(four A320's and 1 A319) are scheduled to arrive in early 2005.

The rest(10 A320's and 7 A319's) are sheduled to arrive in late 2005/2006.

HP also has the option of converting it's existing 15 A318 delivery positions(which they will never order) into A319/320's.

Nothing about this order has changed.

PLEASE pray that the 737 will go "bye-bye" - the 737 are the worst. I will take an Airbus any day, any time over a Boeing.

AWA's fleet plan is available here:

http://www.shareholder.com/americawest/downloads/update_1Q05_mar_v1.pdf

PLEASE pray that the 737 will go "bye-bye" - the 737 are the worst.

Yes, the 733's are in bad shape and reflect poorly on HP.

I will take an Airbus any day, any time over a Boeing.

If you mean an A320 over a 733, then I agree. Otherwise, I'll take a 738 like CO's over an A320.

AWA's fleet plan is available here:

http://www.shareholder.com/americawest/downloads/update_1Q05_mar_v1.pdf

Yes, I check that once in a while for updates. One thing I found interesting was the 50% increase in CRJ900's. I hope that doesn't mean a lot more long-range RJ flights. :eek:

It's also kind of depressing to see no 757 increases planned. :(

It's also kind of depressing to see no 757 increases planned. :(

Why on earth would HP purchase anymore 757's? They can't figure out how to use the ones they have!

Yes, I check that once in a while for updates. One thing I found interesting was the 50% increase in CRJ900's. I hope that doesn't mean a lot more long-range RJ flights. :eek:



Talking about CRJ900's and long routes, has anyone heard about the YEG flights? Those flights seem to be packed, seems to be quite a market.

Why on earth would HP purchase anymore 757's? They can't figure out how to use the ones they have!

I heard they were trying to get more 757s since they like the capacity and range and that they were going to start flying to Hawaii with them. Also, whats wrong with the ones they have?

I heard they were trying to get more 757s since they like the capacity and range and that they were going to start flying to Hawaii with them. Also, whats wrong with the ones they have?

They're old!!! They average more than 19 years old and one of them "buzzes" so loud during flight that you can't hear the person next to you talking... somehow, AA's 757s seem to be much better kept up than HP's.

Still, I'll take a 757 over a 733 any day... or over a C/ERJ.

somehow, AA's 757s seem to be much better kept up than HP's.

LOL!!!!!! You should go read the AA boards. I fly on AA's 757's very frequently, and their in no better condition than HP's. Many are around the same age.

It's too bad Boeing killed the 757... I always loved that plane - but only when it was young, nubile and supple... when they get to be withered old prunes they're not much different than a 732...

Problem is that I hate Airbuses in Coach. They are soooo hard my arse is dead after 60 minutes. I think they make them for overweight people with padded bums. I am 225lbs 6'4" and though I am not a lightweight, I don't have a padded derriere.

I can't wait for the new 787, it truly is one of my dreams to look forward to!

Problem is that I hate Airbuses in Coach. They are soooo hard my arse is dead after 60 minutes. I think they make them for overweight people with padded bums. I am 225lbs 6'4" and though I am not a lightweight, I don't have a padded derriere.

I can't wait for the new 787, it truly is one of my dreams to look forward to!

You should like the new ones, they have been ordered with all leather seating.

Hopefully the leather seats will be retrofitted to the rest of the fleet. I would be more interested in a better inflight IFE. Alaska seems to be doing well with their IFE player as it is a revenue source, if only HP would jump on the bandwagon.

Hopefully the leather seats will be retrofitted to the rest of the fleet. I would be more interested in a better inflight IFE. Alaska seems to be doing well with their IFE player as it is a revenue source, if only HP would jump on the bandwagon.

No retrofit anytime soon, and IFE is always on the radar screen but nothing now...

With HP facing a possible cash crisis by the end of the year, I would think that IFE is on the "To do later" list.

Hopefully the leather seats will be retrofitted to the rest of the fleet. I would be more interested in a better inflight IFE. Alaska seems to be doing well with their IFE player as it is a revenue source, if only HP would jump on the bandwagon.

Well, if you're PHX based, there is a Inmotion movie rental store opening up as part of the new T4 retail rennovation.

Movielink
TiVo2Go
iPod

That's all I need....

With HP facing a possible cash crisis by the end of the year, I would think that IFE is on the "To do later" list.

Actually, it's only one analyst who's suggesting a possible cash crisis at HP. The reality of the airline's cash situation seems to be much different. HP's CEO said recently that their end-of-year cash projections are running just about where they'd thought when they planned their 2005 budget late last year. And that's despite the price of fuel being up so much, taking $150 million or so more off the bottom line.

And ...

Immaculate carpet

All leather - all seats

More cushion for the ... ;)

Interesting recline action - both seat parts move for a better recline (in first anyway)

Lavs -- ahhh, new lavs :)

Sticker above the main cabin door - issued 4-1-2005

---- Nice ride from PHL-LAS last night. Quite an enjoyable surprise !