In a celebration today at Phoenix Sky
Harbor International Airport, America West Airlines introduced the Airbus A319
aircraft, the first new model to be added to the Airline`s fleet in seven
years.

“The introduction of this exceptional airplane is an important milestone
in America West`s very successful relationship with Airbus Industrie,” said
William A. Franke, chairman.  “The A319 is a strategic addition to America
West`s fleet.  It will allow the Airline to continue to efficiently and cost
effectively add service on long-range, nonstop routes and increase flight
frequencies to major business markets.  The A319 offers a more comfortable
cabin and improved entertainment options for our passengers.  We`re proud to
offer this state-of-the-art aircraft to our customers.”
 
The technologically advanced A319 is the first new aircraft model to join
America West`s fleet since the Airbus A320 was introduced in 1991.  The
airplane will become an increasingly significant part of the Airline`s fleet
over the next two years, as America West will take delivery of two more A319s
before the end of 1998 and expects to have a total of 22 A319s in service by
the end of 2001.  The Airline`s Airbus order book, which includes 34 firm
orders and 52 options for A319s and A320s, will allow America West to grow and
provide for expected aircraft needs over the next decade.
 
The A319 aircraft features 12 first class and 112 coach class seats, and
customer friendly features including wider cabins and more overhead storage
than other single-aisle aircraft.  In addition to new entertainment systems,
America West`s A319 will be the first aircraft in the fleet to feature a
distinctive new interior design.  A task force of America West pilots and
flight attendants participated in the design planning with a goal to make the
A319 interior efficient and passenger friendly.  America West also enlisted
both customers and employees to assist with selection of the airplane`s seats
—each sampled a variety of new technology aircraft seats and voted for their
favorite.

Following the official roll-out of America West`s first A319, guided tours
of the aircraft were given for guests invited to the ceremony.  A special tour
was arranged for the fourth grade class from Wilson Elementary School in
Phoenix.  These students are participating in a mentoring program that is part
of America West`s extensive community outreach efforts.
 
Also participating in the program to commemorate the inauguration of the
A319 were Nick Tomassetti, president and chief operating officer of Airbus
Industrie North America, and Bill McCaffrey, vice president of marketing and
sales-The Americas for International Aero Engines (IAE).  America West`s A319
fleet will be powered by IAE engines.
 
America West Airlines, the nation`s ninth largest carrier, serves more
than 90 destinations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.  For the second
consecutive year, America West ranked the number one carrier in customer
satisfaction for short flights in the Frequent Flyer magazine/J.D. Power and
Associates Airline Customer Satisfaction Study—U.S. Flights.  America West
also ranked number one in baggage handling as recorded in the 1997 Air Travel
Consumer Report published by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
 
America West Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of America West
Holdings Corporation (NYSE: AWA), an aviation and travel services company with
1997 sales of $1.9 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 at http://www.americawest.com.

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