Originally Posted by
perseus11
The upgraded 332 HGW, due for 1st delivery this or next month, should be able to make PHL/NRT and PHL/PEK at full take off weight with little problem. PHX, however because of the local Lift environment could still not be possible. Unfortunately, I do not know if US has revised their order with Airbus to accept the HGW for 2011+ deliveries. Existing 332s (probably after a certain serial number) can be field upgraded in the future. This still presents the question, can US fly either PHL-NRT and/or PHL-PEK competitively and still make an acceptable profit using the limited capacity of a fully loaded 332 ? - only Tempe knows.
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The prospect of a PHL-PEK flight in Envoy (shudder) is not that appealing of a thought compared to so many of the other carriers offerings that fly to China in Biz. But, it will be interesting to see what routes US Airways does offer with these longer-range-capable aircraft.