S. Fla Airports Prepare For Change Amid American-US Airways Merger
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SAN FRANCISCO (CBSMiami) -- It's the final boarding call for US Airways as the company's red-eye flight from San Francisco to Philadelphia Friday night will be its last-ever departure ever.
Staff at Miami International Airport and Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport are scheduled to begin removing signage and branding associated with the airline before Saturday, as the 2013 merger with American Airlines is finalized, creating the largest airline in the world.
Once the weekend arrives, reservations will go dark and the US Airways website will be taken offline.
Set to take off from San Francisco International Airport at 9:55 p.m PT, Flight 1939 will complete a round-trip that begins and ends at Philadelphia International Airport. The flight name is a historical nod to the year the company was originally founded, then known as All American Aviation. Staff are expected to toast champagne with passengers during the final flight.
The alliance between the two airline giants comes as the last major move amid a series of mergers, buyouts and takeovers within the airline industry that started in 2001. Of the 9 biggest airlines at the time, only three now remain alongside American -- Delta, Southwest and United.
No delays or hiccups are anticipated at Miami International Airport and Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. However, American Airlines has suggested passengers arrive early with boarding passes and itinerary in hand.
