America West Airlines’ Period Of Boeing 747 Operations

Before we look at America West Airlines period of flying Boeing 747s between Phoenix, Hawaii, and Japan, let’s first take a look at the airline’s history and what led to the jumbo jet flights. Established in Tempe, Arizona in February 1981, America West Airlines began operations on August 1, 1983, with three leased Boeing 737-200s. Based at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), America West Airlines maiden flight was between Kansas City International Airport (MCI) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) with a stopover at Colorado Springs Airport (COS).

The company’s CEO was Ed Beauvais, a well-known aviation consultant who knew the people needed to make America West Airlines a success. One of the people brought onboard was Mike Conway, who would later become the airline’s president. In 1981 when the airline was founded, the industry had seen several startup airlines fail due to a poor economy and high inflation.

America West Airlines was helped by the success of People Express

In America West Airlines’ favor was that they wanted to create a low-cost carrier. Based on the success of People Express Airlines, the carrier was able to raise $18.75 million in financing through an initial public offering. America West Airlines was also one of the first airlines to use its employees in multi-roles, with pilots dispatch and flight attendants doubling as ticket and gate agents.

Unlike People Express, America West Airlines had assigned seating with complimentary newspapers drinks and large overhead bins. A feature America West Airlines did copy from People Express was the ability for passengers to pay for their tickets onboard the plane. While this was a good idea, it led to complications like having to give passengers change. Because of the difficulties, it was soon abandoned for a traditional ticketing system.

Following its initial success America West Airlines quickly expanded and had a fleet of 11 737s flying from 13 cities from Phoenix. By 1984 the airline expanded further, flying to 23 cities with 21 planes. By 1985 the airline was making a profit and added a cargo service and night flights out of McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada. With Vegas being a 24-hour city, the night flights became highly popular with passengers.

In 1986 America West Airlines was flying an all-Boeing 737 fleet but picked up six two-class Boeing 757s when Republic Airlines was bought by Northwest Airlines. America West Airlines used the new 757s for Chicago, New York, and Baltimore flights. At the same time, the airline acquired three DeHavilland Dash 8-200s for feeder flights to Phoenix from Flagstaff. Grand Canyon, and Yuma.

America West Airlines looks to the Pacific

The 1980s expansion left America West Airlines low and cash and staring bankruptcy in the face before Ansett Australia came to the rescue by purchasing a 21.6% stake in the airline. Now with an Australian part-owner, America West Airlines started to think about international flights and applied to the Department of Transportation to fly between Phoenix and Sydney. Despite the initial enthusiasm, the application was denied. However, America West Airlines did receive permission to fly to Hawaii and Japan on the bright side.

On November 15, 1989, America West Airlines started its first widebody flights with Boeing 747-200s that used to belong to the Netherlands national flag carrier KLM. Operating out of both Phoenix and Las Vegas, America West Airlines offered passengers non-stop flights to Honolulu, Hawaii, on what it called its “Bird of Paradise” service.

From Hawaii, America West wanted to fly its 747s to Tokyo, but when that route was denied, it decided to fly to Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO) in Nagoya, Japan. The decision to fly to Nagoya turned out wrong, with the airline canceling daily flights in favor of three a week due to poor passenger numbers.

America West Airlines took delivery of a further two Boeing 747-200s in 1990 but had not received permission to fly to any other Pacific destinations. To use the aircraft until such a time when they received permission to fly to other international destinations America West Airlines used the 747s to fly between Phoenix, Las Vegas, and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York. Because America West Airlines had to use the old Eastern Air Lines terminal, which had old, poorly maintained equipment, the flights only lasted until the end of the year.

Bankruptcy protection and US Airways merger

Now steeped in debt with no improvement in sight, the high cost of jet fuel, and its money-losing 747 flights, the airline filed for bankruptcy protection on June 27, 1991. In a move to cut costs, America West Airlines abandoned its Pacific ambitions. At the same time, it also stopped its Arizona feeder flights giving the routes to Mesa Airlines.

American West Airlines merged with US Airways. Photo: Getty Images

After three years of Chapter 11 protection, America West Airlines emerged from bankruptcy with a smaller fleet but with its hubs still intact. Wanting to now have a more significant share in the East Coast marketplace America West Airlines merged with US Airways in 2005, adopting the Pittsburgh-based airline’s name and livery.

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