How many 747s did America West have?

nwa757 · Post by **nwa757** » 28 Mar 2004, 04:57

I found out not to long ago, that America West had 747-200s in the early 90s and I was wondering if any one knew how many they had.

Here's a photo of an America West 747-200: http://www.airliners.net/open.file/061965/L/

Lame · Post by **Lame** » 28 Mar 2004, 08:21

The shocker of the year was America West's announced purchase of two 747 aircraft, and a route application for Sydney service. Sydney would be denied, but Honolulu would still be added with the new (used) aircraft.

The much-touted Bird of Paradise wide-body service started on November 15, 1989, with 747-206Bs purchased from KLM. Non-stop flights to Honolulu were operated from both hubs, with the aircraft continuing between Phoenix and Las Vegas. America West completed the 747 introduction program in approximately six months, and ordered two 747-4G7 aircraft for additional long-haul growth.

Then 1990 rolled around. It started out well, but by the end of the year, things were rapidly unraveling.

AWA took delivery of two more 747-206B aircraft in 1990, but had not received the rights to fly further in the Pacific. To keep the aircraft in use, they were placed into New York Kennedy, with one flight to Las Vegas and one to Phoenix. This move forced a terminal change at New York Kennedy, with America West ending up in the unused Eastern terminal. The equipment available at the Eastern terminal was so poorly maintained, America West needed to buy new loading bridges for their gates. The 747 service to New York Kennedy lasted until the end of 1990.

nwa757 · Post by **nwa757** » 28 Mar 2004, 19:33

Thanks Lame! That info is really intresting. I never knew America West ordered 747-400s.

qnnm · Post by **qnnm** » 28 Mar 2004, 20:44

During Gulf war 1, both America West 747's visited BRU making an intermediate stop en route to the middle east region.