America West Airlines announced today
that it has entered into a reciprocal frequent flyer agreement with Virgin
Atlantic Airways.  America West is the only major U.S. airline to have such an
agreement with Virgin Atlantic.

With this agreement, which takes effect Oct. 15, 1999, America West
FlightFund members will be able to earn frequent flyer miles when traveling on
all Virgin Atlantic Airways flights.  They will also be able to redeem
FlightFund miles for awards on flights to all Virgin`s destinations.
FlightFund members purchasing Upper Class fares on Virgin will earn a 100
percent class of service mileage bonus.
 
Virgin Atlantic`s frequent flyer program members can also earn and redeem
mileage on all America West flights.  They will receive a 50 percent mileage
bonus for purchased first class travel.
 
“We`re excited about our new partnership with Virgin Atlantic,” said Mike
Smith, America West senior vice president, marketing and sales.  “FlightFund
members will enjoy Virgin`s unique style of customer service and industry
leading products for international travel.”
 
“The cooperation between our two companies adds a new dimension to Virgin
Atlantic`s loyalty program,” said David Tait, Virgin Atlantic executive vice
president, North America.  “America West serves every one of our nine
international gateway cities in the U.S., so we really are a great fit for
each other.”

To promote the new partnership, Virgin Atlantic is offering FlightFund
members two special introductory offers:

1). FlightFund members who purchase Virgin Atlantic`s Upper Class fares
      will earn a total of 40,000 miles on each round-trip itinerary.  The
      offer applies to travel commencing on Nov. 1, 1999 and completed by
      Feb. 29, 2000.  Certain restrictions apply.
 
2). FlightFund members will be able to redeem a Value Coach award to
      London for 40,000 miles instead of the usual 60,000.  This offer if
      valid for bookings made before Apr. 1, 2000 for travel completed by
      June 30, 2000. Certain restrictions apply.

 
FlightFund, America West`s frequent flyer program, offers travelers a
unique and flexible program with awards beginning at 20,000 miles.  New
members will receive 2,500 miles after their first flight.  Customers who are
not already FlightFund members can contact the FlightFund Service Center at
1-800-247-5691 to enroll or sign up on the Internet at http://www.americawest.com.
 
Virgin Atlantic is the second-largest British long-haul international
carrier and it serves London from the following nine U.S. gateways:  Boston;
Newark, N.J.; New York (JFK); Washington, D.C. (Dulles); Orlando, Fla.; Miami;
Chicago*; Los Angles and San Francisco.  From London, the carrier serves
Antigua, Athens, Barbados, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Shanghai, St. Lucia and
Tokyo.  (*Service begins Nov. 1, 1999.)

America West Airlines, the nation`s ninth-largest carrier, serves more
than 90 destinations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.  America West Airlines is
a wholly owned subsidiary of America West Holdings Corporation (NYSE: AWA), an
aviation and travel services company with 1998 sales of $2.0 billion.
 
This press release, as well as releases issued in the past year by America
West Holdings and its affiliates, can be accessed on the America West Internet
site, http://www.americawest.com.

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