USAirwaysmag.com – January, 2012
By Tara Titcombe
Your Upgrade Awaits
There’s a lot to like with US Airways’
new First Class service on Express flights.
US Airways Express flights just got a major makeover. Thanks to the recent addition of First Class seats on 110 US Airways Express regional jets, you can fly to 85 more cities in First Class style. Four jet fleets — Embraer Regional Jet 170 and 175 and Canadair Regional Jet 700 and 900 — are now outfitted with First Class seats and service. Designed with two seats on one side and one on the other, the First Class cabin offers brand new features.
“Our goal in all of this was to design a product and an experience that was commensurate with that premium passenger experience on a daily basis in mainline domestic First Class,” says Dion Flannery, vice president of US Airways Express Operations. “And to make sure that we could replicate every aspect of it and maybe even make some enhancements.” And enhancements are exactly what flyers will find. Large seats recline farther and provide six to seven more inches of legroom than those in Coach. First Class customers also enjoy priority baggage handling, priority check-in, early boarding, and complimentary beverages, snacks, pillows, and blankets.
Each new cabin installation took three to four days, but much more happened behind the scenes before the final seat placement. New seat maps were designed. Self-service kiosks at all airports were updated. First Class carry-on bag tags were printed and distributed to all airports. And, perhaps most importantly, inflight crews were trained. “We spent time with our flight crews to explain the level of investment and detail involved in this upgraded service,” Flannery notes. “The crews are trained, they’re knowledgeable, and they’re welcoming.” Preferred members can now enjoy complimentary upgrades on 640 more flights each day. “This is important to our Preferred flyers,” Flannery says. “We recognize that they have a lot of choices. This is a huge advantage to making certain that we’re meeting their needs.”
Learn more about US Airways First Class and book your next trip at usairways.com/expressfirst.
