User:LizArchive/USX International Airways

USX International Airways (USX) is an American airline headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is one of the top ten largest airlines within the United States when measured by fleet size and scheduled passengers carried. USX operates a medium-sized route network of over 275 daily flights to 36 destinations within North America and Europe.

USX International Airways operates out of two hubs, and is the largest airline at both of them. USX flew over ten million passengers in 1998, and employs 1,750 people.

Early Years
USX International Airways was founded by Thom K Henson in Charlotte, North Carolina in February 1987. USX received FAA authorisation and landing slot times at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in early 1989. USX commenced flights in late May operating the Airbus A320, the first North American airline to fly the type.

Growth (1990-1996s)
In the early 1990s, USX International Airways operated flights to various large international airports on the US east coast. The strategy was successful, as USX's passenger numbers grew from less than one million in 1991 to 1.5 million in 1992 and up to three million in 1994, giving it a very strong southeastern presence. Amid growing popularity, USX International Airways flew its first long-haul international flight to Europe in 1992.

In 1994, USX International Airways took delivery of its first Airbus A321, enabling it to start flying various intercontinental routes from Charlotte to destinations on the West Coast.

In May, USX International Airways took delivery of its fiftieth aircraft, a Fokker 100. The Fokker 100, which were utilised on routes that couldn't sustain its mainline Airbus A320s, were due to end production in 1997. Due to the importance of the jet, USX increased its order count by a total of twenty aircraft. USX International Airways was the recipient of the last Fokker 100 aircraft, with its delivery taking place in early 1998.

New Hubs (1997-Present)
USX International Airways opened its second hub at Raleigh-Durham International Airport in 1997. USX predominantly operates flights within the United States from Raleigh-Durham, with the sole exception being a daily non-stop Airbus A340-300 flight to London Heathrow.

In January 1999, USX International Airways disclosed its intentions to establish two hubs in the south-central region of the United States and the West Coast. Austin was chosen in August 1999, with the two other contenders - Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston Intercontinental - being counted out due to it being strong fortress hubs for American and United Airlines respectively. USX is still considering its West Coast hub, with Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle being potential choices.

Destinations
USX International Airways operates to 36 destinations within the United States, Mexico, Germany and United Kingdom.

Hubs

 * Charlotte Douglas International Airport - USX International Airways' primary hub for all flights.
 * Raleigh-Durham International Airport - USX International Airways' newest hub, established in 1997.

Airline Agreements

 * Air Transat
 * British Airways
 * Finnair

Fleet
USX International Airways has a fleet consisting of 99 aircraft, with an average fleet age of 5.5 years. Out of those, 64 are manufactured by Airbus (64%), and the rest are Fokker 100s (36%). Additionally, USX has 18 aircraft on order, all of which are Airbuses. In terms of aircraft size, USX operates just four wide-body A340-300s (4%). The rest are narrow-body aircraft.

In the United States, USX International Airways is the most prolific operator of the A320 family, and is the second largest operator of the Fokker 100.

USX Astro
USX Astro is the airline's premier business class product, available on Airbus A320, A321 and A340s performing transcontinental and long haul international flights from Charlotte. Seats are staggered on the Airbus A320 and A321, whereas they are in a reverse herringbone pattern on the larger A340.

USX Astro features lie-flat seating and are equipped with personal in-flight entertainment, universal power ports, movable reading lights and a folding work table. Complimentary meals, refreshments, alcoholic beverages are also offerred.

USX Premier
USX Premier is the airline's regular business class product for use on all flights excluding transcontinental and long haul international flights. Seats feature a pitch between 86 and 91 centimetres (34 to 36 inches). All USX Premier seats are configured in a 2-2 configuration.

Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and snacks are served on all flights. Alcoholic beverages are served on flights greater than 250nmi (400km) in length. Meals are served on flights over 800nmi (1,500km) in length.

USX Economy & Premium Economy
USX's Premium Economy and regular Economy seats are arranged in a 2-3 configuration on Fokker 100s and feature a 3-3 configuration on Airbus A320 family aircraft. On Airbus A340s, Premium Economy features a 2-3-2 seating layout, whereas Economy features eighteen alternating 2-3-2 and 2-4-2 seats from row 41.

On flights lasting more than five hours, both economy and premium economy seats feature a 2.7-inch/69mm Airvision LCD screen as an on-demand in-flight entertainment system. Complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are served on all flights, and those greater than 900nmi (1,650km) in distance include meals.

Skyworld
Launched in November 1992, Skyworld is USX International Airways' frequent-flyer programme offering redeemable points based off of flight distance and seat class. Points can also be earned by utilising Global Pass credit cards. Points do not expire, and are redeemable towards free flights or upgrades.

USX+
USX+ is the branding name of USX International Airways' airport lounges. Membership is available through a Skyworld account. Passengers flying on flights greater than 1,150nmi (2,100km) also receive free access. USX's lounges are found at its hubs at Charlotte Douglas and Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

Headquarters
Being one of the largest companies headquartered in North Carolina, USX International Airways is headquartered at a corporate building less than two miles south of Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The building has a total area of 12,000 square metres (128,705 square feet). USX operates the top two floors (the fourth and fifth).

Logo
USX International Airways has had two logos prior to its current one. The first logo, developed since USX's founding, was a blue and white rhombus. In 1989, USX changed its text font and location as well as the rhombus to a circle. In 1990, the circle's design was updated to have three parallel lines running through it.

Accidents
USX International Airways has not experienced any in-flight accidents.