US Airways Group
Former airline holding company that controlled US Airways and merged with AMR Corporation to create American Airlines Group in 2013.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
US Airways Group was an airline holding company headquartered in Tempe, Arizona. It was the corporate parent of US Airways and controlled airline subsidiaries including PSA Airlines and Piedmont Airlines, which operated regional services marketed primarily as US Airways Express. The group also maintained aviation-related businesses and investments connected with aircraft, procurement, insurance, and airline operations. The company's corporate history was closely tied to the development of US Airways. The airline lineage began with All American Aviation, established in 1939 to provide air service in the Ohio River Valley. The business shifted from airmail toward passenger transportation, adopted the name All American Airways in 1949, became Allegheny Airlines in 1953, changed its name to USAir in 1979, and adopted the US Airways name in 1997. Although the operating airline and its predecessors supplied the principal consumer brand, US Airways Group served as the holding-company structure behind the carrier. US Airways Group experienced severe financial pressure after the September 11, 2001 attacks and during a period of high operating costs and weak demand. It entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2002 and filed again in 2004. The company emerged from its second bankruptcy in September 2005 in connection with its combination with America West Holdings Corporation. The transaction joined America West's western network and operating resources with US Airways' established presence in the northeastern United States, Europe, and the Caribbean. The combined enterprise retained the US Airways name, while America West's management and corporate infrastructure played a leading role. The two operating certificates were subsequently consolidated in 2007. The group pursued additional consolidation as a means of expanding scale and improving its competitive position. In 2006 it proposed acquiring Delta Air Lines while Delta was in bankruptcy. US Airways increased its proposal in January 2007, but Delta's creditors supported a standalone reorganization plan and US Airways withdrew its offer at the end of that month. The attempt illustrated the company's strategic interest in airline mergers, even though it did not result in a transaction. US Airways Group later became a prospective merger partner for AMR Corporation, the parent of American Airlines, while AMR was operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Discussions developed during 2012, and the companies formally announced their merger on February 14, 2013. The combined business adopted the American Airlines name and branding and began trading as American Airlines Group on December 9, 2013. Doug Parker, previously chief executive of US Airways, became chief executive of the new group. The transaction ended US Airways Group as a separate corporate entity and placed the US Airways operation within the American Airlines group structure. US Airways continued as an airline brand for a period after the merger, but the holding company itself is now defunct.
History
US Airways Group's corporate identity developed from the history of the airline that became US Airways. That lineage began in 1939, when All American Aviation was established by Richard C. du Pont and Alexis Felix du Pont Jr. The company initially served the Ohio River Valley and was associated with airmail transportation. As its business shifted toward passenger operations, it adopted the name All American Airways in 1949. On January 1, 1953, it became Allegheny Airlines. The airline expanded and evolved during the second half of the twentieth century. In 1979, following the deregulation era in the United States, Allegheny changed its name to USAir. In February 1997, it adopted the US Airways name. The brand became associated with a broad domestic network and international routes, particularly in the northeastern United States, Europe, and the Caribbean. The holding-company structure behind the airline was responsible not only for the principal carrier but also for regional affiliates and supporting businesses. The company encountered major financial difficulties after the September 11, 2001 attacks, when the airline industry experienced a sharp decline in demand. Rising costs compounded the problem, and US Airways Group entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in August 2002. The group and several subsidiaries filed for bankruptcy protection again on September 12, 2004, less than two years after the first restructuring. The repeated filings reflected the difficulty of maintaining a large network carrier in a period of reduced demand, high fuel and labor costs, and intense competition. A major restructuring occurred through the company's combination with America West Holdings Corporation. US Airways Group announced the proposed transaction on May 19, 2005. America West had a strong western presence, while US Airways contributed a network centered on the northeastern United States and routes to Europe and the Caribbean. The merger was completed on September 27, 2005, with the combined company retaining the US Airways name. America West's corporate offices in Tempe became the headquarters, and executives and board members associated with America West assumed important roles in the merged organization. A $125 million equity investment from Air Wisconsin's parent company supported the company's emergence from bankruptcy in connection with the transaction. The operating certificates of the two airlines were later combined in 2007. After the America West transaction, US Airways Group continued to operate a multi-company airline structure. US Airways, Inc. included the mainline carrier and the US Airways Shuttle. Piedmont Airlines and PSA Airlines operated regional flights under the US Airways Express identity. The group also retained or operated businesses involved in purchasing, aircraft and equipment remarketing, insurance, and other airline-related functions. Its network eventually reached destinations in 47 U.S. states as well as international markets. The group made another attempt at consolidation in 2006. On November 15, it proposed acquiring Delta Air Lines for a package initially valued at $8 billion, with cash and stock components. Delta's board rejected the offer in December, while Delta employees and pilots publicly opposed the proposed transaction. US Airways raised the proposal to approximately $10.2 billion in January 2007, but Delta's creditors committee chose to support Delta's plan to reorganize independently. US Airways withdrew its offer on January 31, 2007. The company's final major strategic move was its combination with AMR Corporation, the parent of American Airlines. US Airways expressed interest in a transaction during 2012, while American was in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. The carriers signed a nondisclosure agreement on August 31, 2012, allowing them to examine a possible combination. On February 14, 2013, they formally announced the merger. The new holding company was named American Airlines Group, used the American Airlines brand, and began trading under that name on December 9, 2013. Doug Parker, US Airways' chief executive, became chief executive of the combined group. The transaction ended US Airways Group as an independent holding company and placed its airline operations within American Airlines Group.
- 2013
US Airways Group combines with AMR Corporation
[1]The merger creates American Airlines Group; trading under the new holding-company name begins on December 9.
- 2007
Delta acquisition proposal is withdrawn
[1]US Airways ends its attempted acquisition after Delta creditors support an independent reorganization.
- 2005
America West merger is completed
[1]The combination with America West Holdings closes on September 27, and the combined carrier retains the US Airways name.
- 2004
Second Chapter 11 filing
[1]The group and major subsidiaries file for bankruptcy protection again on September 12.
- 2002
First Chapter 11 filing
[1]US Airways Group seeks bankruptcy protection amid post-September 11 demand weakness and rising costs.
- 1997
US Airways name is adopted
[1]The airline changes its name from USAir to US Airways in February.
- 1979
Allegheny becomes USAir
[1]The carrier adopts the USAir name during the U.S. airline deregulation era.
- 1953
Allegheny Airlines name begins
[1]The airline changes its name to Allegheny Airlines on January 1.
- 1949
The airline adopts the All American Airways name
[1]The business changes its name as it transitions from airmail operations toward passenger service.
- 1939
All American Aviation is established
[1]Richard C. du Pont and Alexis Felix du Pont Jr. establish the airline predecessor that served the Ohio River Valley.
Products and positioning
Airline holding company built around a full-service network carrier, with particular strength in the northeastern United States and additional coverage in the West, Europe, and the Caribbean.
Mainline passenger airline
US Airways
The principal airline business controlled by US Airways Group. It operated scheduled domestic and international passenger services, with a network particularly associated with the northeastern United States, as well as routes to Europe, the Caribbean, and other destinations. The US Airways name was retained after the 2005 America West combination and remained the principal consumer-facing airline identity before the later American Airlines merger.
Regional airline network
US Airways Express
A marketing identity used for regional services operated by wholly owned subsidiaries including Piedmont Airlines and PSA Airlines. The network extended the reach of the mainline carrier by connecting smaller communities to US Airways hubs and larger airports. It was a branded distribution and operating platform rather than a single independent airline.
Shuttle air service
US Airways Shuttle
A shuttle division operated within US Airways, offering frequent scheduled service on selected high-demand business routes. It formed part of the group's airline divisions and was ultimately included in US Airways, Inc. after the separate Shuttle, Inc. entity was merged into that company in 2000.
Marketing campaigns
- 2006Keep Delta My Delta
United States
Delta employees, pilots, and supporters organized an opposition campaign against US Airways' proposed acquisition of Delta. The effort characterized the transaction as a hostile takeover and sought to preserve Delta as an independent airline.
Outcome. The campaign contributed to visible employee and pilot opposition; Delta's creditors ultimately backed a standalone reorganization and US Airways withdrew its offer.
Brand decisions
2013
Merge with AMR CorporationM&ABackground
American Airlines' parent AMR was in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and was seeking a possible merger partner. US Airways had expressed interest and entered confidential discussions with American.
Action taken
US Airways Group and AMR announced their merger on February 14, 2013. The combined company retained the American Airlines name and branding, with Doug Parker designated to lead the new group.
Aftermath
American Airlines Group became the new holding company and began trading under that name on December 9, 2013. US Airways Group ceased to exist as a separate holding company.
2006
Propose acquisition of Delta Air LinesM&ABackground
Delta was operating under bankruptcy protection, and US Airways sought additional scale through a combination that would have created a larger airline.
Action taken
US Airways proposed a cash-and-stock acquisition, initially valued at $8 billion, and later raised the proposal to approximately $10.2 billion.
Aftermath
Delta's board rejected the offer, employees and pilots opposed it, and Delta's creditors supported an independent reorganization. US Airways withdrew the proposal on January 31, 2007.
Proposed transaction value. $8.0 billion initial proposal → $10.2 billion revised proposal (November 2006-January 2007)
- Delta Air Lines — Delta's board rejected the proposal, while employee and pilot groups publicly opposed the transaction.
2005
Combine with America West Holdings CorporationM&ABackground
US Airways Group was recovering from a second Chapter 11 filing, while America West offered a stronger western network and operating platform.
Action taken
The companies completed their combination on September 27, 2005, retained the US Airways brand, and based the combined corporate organization in Tempe.
Aftermath
The transaction enabled US Airways Group and its subsidiaries to emerge from bankruptcy and created a broader network carrier. The two operating certificates were merged in 2007.
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