PRNewswire-FirstCall PHOENIX Nov. 6 :

America West Airlines announced today that it ranked among the top three
major airlines for the fewest cancelled flights, mishandled bags and
customer complaints as reported in the Department of Transportation`s
(DOT) Air Travel Consumer Report for September 2003. As a result, the
airline`s eligible 13,000 employees will receive a $50 bonus check payment
for the fourth consecutive month for meeting operational goals.

America West`s customer complaints continue to dramatically decline. In
September 2003, the airline recorded 0.71 complaints per 100,000
passengers, which was a 46 percent improvement from September 2002. In
addition, America West cancelled only 0.6 percent of its flights,
resulting in a completion factor of 99.4 percent, which was the best among
all domestic major airlines. America West also reported 2.40 mishandled
bags per 1,000 customers—a decrease of 24 percent from September 2002.
America West`s on-time performance for September 2003 was 86.4, ranking it
fourth among the major carriers and above the industry average.

Chief Operating Officer Jeff McClelland said, “We continue to experience
positive results from our company-wide emphasis on customer service.
Customer complaints have decreased by 56 percent year-over-year during the
third quarter, and our employees have done a phenomenal job of running a
safe, reliable operation while providing customers with the courteous
service they deserve.”
Founded in 1983 and proudly celebrating its 20-year anniversary in 2003,
America West Airlines is the nation`s second largest low-fare airline and
the only carrier formed since deregulation to achieve major airline
status. America West`s 13,000 employees serve nearly 55,000 customers a
day in 92 destinations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

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