US Airways Offers Travelers Handy Holiday Travel Tips

-- What's new this holiday season: A lot has changed in the airline industry over the last year. During the busy travel season, US Airways recommends that passengers take the time to research the changes that are relevant to their travel plans. Additional information on the recent changes at US Airways is available on www.usairways.com. Below are some of the changes and fees that US Airways passengers should keep in mind: -- Baggage Fees: US Airways charges $15 for the first checked bag, $25 for the second and $100 for the third through ninth bags. Oversized bags, those that are 62 to 80 inches, will be assessed a $100 fee. Checked bags weighing in excess of 50 pounds will incur a $50 fee, and bags between 71 and 99 pounds will be subject to a $100 fee.

-- Checking in: Curbside check-in is available at many US Airways locations for a $2 fee plus the fee to check a bag.

-- Choice Seats: Interested in switching to a better seat assignment? US Airways now offers the option to purchase some of the most popular seats in coach class at time of check-in. Fees range from $5 to $30 per flight segment.

-- In-flight Cafe: If customers are planning on dining in-flight, be sure to bring cash. US Airways offers In-flight Cafe service in our coach cabin with food ranging between $5 and $7. Soft drinks, juice and bottled water are available for purchase for $2, coffee and tea for $1. Alcoholic beverages, including beer and wine, can also be purchased for $7 in the main cabin.

-- Check in early: Visit usairways.com to save time at the airport. The US Airways web site provides automated check-in options, including the ability to pre-print boarding passes, up to 24 hours prior to departure time or visit an airport kiosk up to eight hours before departure.

-- Check flight status: US Airways provides three automated ways to make sure our customers' flights are on time before they leave for the airport.

1. Customers can receive instant flight status information through their text-enabled mobile devices. Text your flight number to TEXTUS (839887) and receive real-time flight information. 2. Up-to-date flight information is always available at usairways.com. 3. Flight arrival and departure information is available 24/7 by calling 800-428-4322.

-- Allow plenty of time -- for lines, parking and security. US Airways recommends arriving at the airport two hours prior to departure time -- longer for international flights.

-- Pack carefully: When packing checked and carry-on bags, customers are advised to bring only the necessities and be aware of TSA restrictions regarding items that can be included in carry-on luggage. Among others, liquids, creams and gels are restricted to one quart-size clear plastic bag (about the size of a sandwich bag), containing bottles of three ounces or less (the sizes typically given at most hotels and offered as "travel sizes" at most retailers), per passenger. Leave the presents unwrapped and don't pack toys, such as toy guns, that could be confiscated. View all Transportation Security Administration (TSA) restrictions and requirements at www.tsa.gov.

-- Provide accurate contact information: Passengers should provide US Airways with appropriate contact information at time of reservation or online at www.usairways.com for notification purposes if there is a flight irregularity. Passengers should clearly mark their luggage both inside and out with their address, phone number and email.

For more travel tips, go to www.usairways.com and click on "Travel Tools," or visit www.faa.gov/passengers.

"US Airways' 34,000 employees will be working hard to provide our customers with a reliable and relaxing journey this holiday season," said Vice President, Reservations and Customer Service Planning Kerry Hester. "We encourage our holiday travelers to log on to our web site and take a look at what's new at US Airways this holiday season."

US Airways, along with US Airways Shuttle and US Airways Express, operates more than 3,100 flights per day and serves nearly 200 communities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. The airline employs approximately 34,000 aviation professionals worldwide and is a member of the Star Alliance network, which offers our customers 18,000 daily flights to 965 destinations in 162 countries worldwide. In the first eight months of 2008, US Airways ranked first in on-time performance among the ten largest U.S. carriers according to the Department of Transportation's Air Travel Consumer Report. And for the tenth consecutive year, the airline received a Diamond Award for maintenance training excellence from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its Charlotte, North Carolina, hub line maintenance facility. For more company information, visit usairways.com. (LCCG)

-Fly with US-

SOURCE: US Airways

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