User:LizArchive/USX International Airways

USX International Airways (USX) is an American airline headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is one of the ten largest airlines in the United States when measured by fleet size and scheduled passengers carried. USX operates a medium-sized route network of over 600 daily flights to 58 destinations out of its hubs at Austin, Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham.

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. 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 (1997-1999)
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 a new hub in the south-central region of the United States. Austin Bergstrom International Airport was chosen in August 1999. USX flew its first flight from Austin in December 1999.

Regional Aircraft Operations (2000-Present)
In early 2001, USX International Airways received its 50th A320 and 25th A321. In November of 2002, USX was flying 50,000 seats daily.

On 27 February 2003, USX International Airways placed a large order for 172 aircraft, made up of 42 Airbuses and 130 E175s. The E175s were USX's first regional aircraft, and flights began in 2004 from Austin.

In December 2004, USX International Airways ordered 35 Embraer E190s to replace its Fokker 100s. USX operated its first E190 flight out of Raleigh-Durham in 2006.

Destinations
USX International Airways operates to 56 destinations within seven countries.

Hubs

 * Austin–Bergstrom International Airport - Austin is USX's central US hub, and serves as a connection airport for transcontinental flights.
 * Charlotte Douglas International Airport - USX International Airways' primary hub for all flights.
 * Raleigh-Durham International Airport - USX International Airways' second hub located on the East Coast. USX primarily operates point-to-point flights at RDU.

Airline Agreements

 * Air Transat
 * British Airways
 * Finnair

Fleet
USX International Airways has a fleet consisting of 223 aircraft, with an average fleet age of 5.5 years. Out of those, 153 are Airbuses, 33 are Fokker 100s and 37 are Embraers. Additionally, USX has 255 aircraft on order, of which 122 are Airbuses and 128 are Embraers. In terms of aircraft size, USX operates seven wide-body A340-300s.

Within the United States, USX International Airways is the only operator of the Fokker 100 and Airbus A340, and is the largest A320 family operator.

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 offered.

USX Business
USX Business is found on all aircraft excluding regional jets and those featuring USX Astro business class seats. USX Business 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 2-2 configuration on regional jets, a 2-3 configuration on Fokker 100s and 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.

Sky+
Launched in November 1992, Sky+ 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 Sky Lounge is the branding name of USX International Airways' airport lounges. Membership is available through a Sky+ account. Passengers flying on flights greater than 1,150nmi (2,100km) also receive free access. USX's lounges are found at its hubs.

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.