Commits $1.2 Million Annually, Decade-Long Partnership Yields Nearly $9 Million In Total Contributions

The 31,000 employees of US Airways have pledged a record-breaking $1,150,299 to the airline’s annual “Hope Takes Flight” campaign to benefit the United Way – addressing vital health and human needs in more than 150 communities across the country where US Airways operates. This year’s campaign, which ran between Sept. 16 and Nov. 12, contributed to the nearly $9 million US Airways employees have raised for United Way since 2000.

“This year’s United Way ‘Hope Takes Flight’ campaign was a tremendous success,” said US Airways Chairman and CEO Doug Parker. “Our employees joined together from across the country in the true spirit of giving to help those in need in the communities we serve. It’s a privilege to lead a team so dedicated to not only providing airline service to the communities we serve, but also to extending a helping hand to those in our communities who truly need that assistance.”

US Airways employees participated in a variety of fundraising events such as a board game-themed mini-golf tournament in Phoenix, a silent auction in Pittsburgh, as well as the airline’s popular Jet Pulls held in its three hub cities of Charlotte, N.C., Phoenix and Philadelphia. The winning team of employees in Philadelphia pulled a 50-ton Airbus A319 jetliner the required 15 feet in 5.57 seconds. The Jet Pulls are US Airways’ most popular United Way fundraiser and 2010 saw the largest number of teams competing. Alone, the Jet Pulls raised more than $15,000.

“In these challenging times, it’s more important than ever to have the support of generous partners like US Airways who are committed to improving communities across the country,” said Merl Waschler, president and CEO of Valley of the Sun United Way.

US Airways employees routinely support their communities through volunteerism and other initiatives on a year-round basis. The airline’s dedicated corps of more than 2,300 Do Crew employees volunteer in Charlotte, Washington, D.C., Winston-Salem, N.C., New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Pittsburgh, and have volunteered more than 20,000 hours with 150 different nonprofit organizations in 2010.

FMI: www.usairways.com