America West Airlines History | Phoenix 1983–2005 – Airline Employee Shop

America West Airlines History

America West Airlines started in Phoenix in 1983 with three Boeing 737s and became the only post-deregulation startup of its era to grow into a major airline, before merging with US Airways in 2005. Here's the short history, plus the America West collection.

Starting up in Phoenix (1981–1983)

America West was formed in 1981 by a group of investors led by Edward Beauvais, a former Frontier Airlines employee who had written the business plan himself. It began flying on August 1, 1983, from Phoenix Sky Harbor with three Boeing 737s and about 280 employees, serving Colorado Springs, Kansas City, Los Angeles and Wichita. New hires were required to buy company stock, so employees were also owners.

Phoenix, Las Vegas and Nite Flight

America West grew fast from its Phoenix hub and in 1986 opened a Las Vegas operation built around late-night "Nite Flight" service. Its radio call sign became "Cactus" in 1987. The airline briefly flew Boeing 747s, including service to Nagoya, Japan, from 1991 to 1992, and later added a hub in Columbus, Ohio.

Bankruptcy and a new look (1991–2005)

America West filed for Chapter 11 in June 1991 and emerged in August 1994 with backing from an investor group that included Continental. Bill Franke became CEO in 1993. In 1996 the airline introduced a new livery in pearl white with orange and turquoise, and it became known for special paint jobs honoring the Arizona, Nevada and Ohio state flags and Phoenix's pro sports teams.

Merger with US Airways

America West and US Airways announced their merger in May 2005 and closed it that September. The combined airline took the US Airways name but kept America West's Tempe headquarters, its "Cactus" call sign and its leadership under Doug Parker. Flights were sold as US Airways starting in 2006, and the two airlines were fully combined in 2007.

A few things collectors love

  • Out of more than 150 airlines launched after deregulation, America West was the only one to become a major airline.
  • American Airlines now flies an A321 painted in America West's heritage colors.

Shop America West

Browse America West logo T-shirts, retiree sweatshirts and hoodies, coffee mugs, coasters and tote bags in the America West collection, and add an airline bag tag or key tag for a former America West employee.

AirlineEmployeeShop.com sells America West merchandise under license from American Airlines. This page is for historical interest.