Community Relations Principle

The US Airways Board of Directors believes good corporate citizenship is in the best interest of our company and helps ensure the airline's long-term viability. Through our community relations activities, we contribute to the economic and social well being of a range of stakeholders, including employees, shareholders, passengers and the communities in which we operate.

US Airways fulfills its commitment to corporate citizenship through corporate philanthropy (support of a broad range of nonprofit organizations, including arts and culture, human services and education), foundation giving and employees' involvement in their local communities through volunteerism and service on nonprofit boards. In 2010, this investment of time and philanthropic gifts totaled more than $6.2 million.

US Airways provides contributions to nonprofit organizations located and providing services in the major metropolitan areas of our hub and focus cities of Charlotte (Mecklenburg County), Philadelphia (Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties), Phoenix (Maricopa County) and Washington, D.C. (Alexandria, Arlington, District of Columbia, Fairfax-Falls Church, Loudoun, Montgomery, Prince George’s and Prince William Counties). These cities represent the communities served by the airline with the greatest number of flights and employees.

US Airways contributes through three channels of giving: the Corporate Giving Program, the US Airways Education Foundation and the US Airways Community Foundation. Organizations may apply for support from all funding channels should they meet the eligibility requirements.

US Airways Corporate Giving

The US Airways Corporate Giving Program invests in IRS 501(C)(3) nonprofit arts and culture, human services and education organizations that enhance the quality of life in the airline's hub and focus cities.

We strive to invest in leading nonprofit organizations designed to serve local community needs that effect sustainable change and result in healthy, vibrant communities. Our airline is known for making connections that enrich people's lives and we focus our philanthropic investments in three key areas that are essential to the airline’s and our communities’ success:

  • Educated communities: US Airways is committed to improving and expanding educational opportunities that teach skills to succeed in school and gain meaningful employment. We seek to align our core business values with initiatives which support literacy, science, technology, engineering and math education as a key priority.
  • Strong, sustainable communities: We strive to improve our communities by investing in programs that provide basic human needs to help encourage, sustain and develop economic self-reliance.
  • Culturally vibrant communities: US Airways recognizes the importance of arts and culture to the overall development and economic prosperity of our communities - creating jobs, attracting visitors, generating revenue for our business and our communities. Our strategic focus is to provide access to cultural resources that broaden artistic excellence by partnering with major arts and culture organizations.

US Airways Education Foundation

'Investing in our employee's children and our communities.'

The US Airways Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to support educational initiatives in communities the airline serves by promoting employee engagement and funding college scholarships for dependents of airline employees and community education grants to nonprofit organizations.

In 2010, the Scholarship Committee awarded more than $250,000 in college scholarships to dependents of US Airways employees. The recipients include award-winning musicians, class valedictorians, All-State athletes and many tutors, mentors and community volunteers.

The Grants Program awards financial support to qualified children’s programs and initiatives that address the educational needs of the disadvantaged and enhance academic achievement. In 2010, $150,000 was awarded to nonprofit organizations in our hub and focus cities.

US Airways Community Foundation

The focus areas of the Community Foundation mirror the three key areas of the Corporate Giving Program. However, the US Airways Community Foundation specifically supports multi-year capital campaigns (the hard costs for bricks and mortar building projects only) for 501(C) (3) nonprofit organizations located in and providing services in the major metropolitan areas of Charlotte, Phoenix, Philadelphia and Washington, DC. Please note that only hard costs related to new building construction or major renovation/expansion of an existing facility is eligible for support. The deadline for application submission is April 1 and October 1 annually.

Employee volunteerism

US Airways is committed to supporting the efforts of our employees as they work to improve the quality of life in their individual communities. Employee volunteerism offers a growing opportunity to deepen engagement with our communities and deliver lasting positive social impact.

US Airways’ volunteer program incorporates four key initiatives—Do Crew, Flights for 50, Veterans Initiatives and Puppies In Flight. It aims to foster a unique corporate culture of service, where every employee is encouraged, supported, and recognized for the active role he or she plays in making the communities in which US Airways operates safer, stronger, and more innovative places in which to live and work.

US Airways Do Crew

The US Airways Do Crew is the cornerstone of the airline's Community Relations program. This compassionate and dedicated corps of employee and retiree volunteers participate in community-based projects on a monthly basis in Charlotte, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Washington, DC and Winston-Salem.

In 2010, employees and retirees volunteered thousands of hours of community service through the Do Crew program, volunteering their time with organizations such as Men’s Shelter of Charlotte, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Junior Achievement of Arizona.

Flights for 50

Flights for 50 supports the individual volunteer efforts of employees who volunteer at least 50 hours a year with a non-profit organization.

Through Flights for 50, US Airways employees are supported in their civic engagement efforts and encouraged to remain closely connected to their communities. In recognition of the volunteer time given by individual employees, US Airways awards donations of travel in the amount of $500 to the benefiting organization. Flights for 50 volunteers support a wide-ranging spectrum of the not-for-profit sector—from community health and social welfare organizations to cultural and civic charitable institutions. Their efforts strengthen local organizations and improve sustainability.

Field Trip Fund

Field trips allow students to 'take off' on new education adventures. Through the US Airways Field Trip Fund, K-12 public schools with a minimum 70% Title I student population in the airline’s hub and focus cities of Charlotte, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. can apply to receive a $500 grant to help fund transportation for educational field trips.

Field trips eligible for consideration include visits to art, science and cultural museums, community service or civic projects, career enrichment opportunities, or other defined educational events or experiences away from school. The deadline to submit a grant for a Field Trip Fund is February 1 and October 1 annually

Puppies in Flight

Puppies In Flight is a partnership between US Airways and Assistance Dogs International (ADI), which trains and places assistance dogs around the world. US Airways employees volunteer their time and utilize travel benefits to transport and familiarize assistance dogs in training with aircraft and air travel in preparation for future flights with their disabled partners. Over the past 10 years, US Airways employees have participated in transports everywhere from California to Croatia.

Veterans Initiatives

US Airways considers it a privilege to assist those who have, and continue, to serve our country through military service. The airline and our employees demonstrate this commitment in a variety of ways:

Sweet Delights Take Flight

Sweet Delights Take Flight honors and recognizes active military and veterans during the week of Veterans Day. Each year in the airline’s hubs and focus cities, the US Airways Do Crew delivers sweets to patients in veterans’ hospitals in appreciation for their distinguished service to our country.

Veteran's Day Sponsorships

US Airways is proud to serve as the Official Airline of the Veteran's Medical Leadership Council in Phoenix and Carolina's Freedom Foundation in Charlotte. Annually, the airline is the presenting sponsor of the Phoenix Veteran’s Day Luncheon and Parade and the Veteran’s Day Breakfast and Parade in Charlotte.

Honor Flight

US Airways is a partner with Honor Flight, a nonprofit organization created solely to honor America’s veterans for their sacrifices. We fly veterans to Washington, DC to visit and reflect at their appropriate memorial. Top priority is given to the senior veterans – WWII survivors, along with other veterans who may be terminally ill. Our relationship with Honor Flight allows veterans the opportunity to see their memorials and receive the recognition and validation for their service to our country. US Airways employees greet Honor Flights with a patriotic celebration and volunteer as guardians for the veterans on their tours.

Fisher House Foundation

A MiIes of Hope partnership with the Fisher House Foundation allows our passengers the opportunity to donate their Dividend miles to this incredible organization which provides complimentary travel to military men and women (and their families) who are undergoing treatment at a military or VA medical center.

Mercy Medical Airlift

US Airways and Mercy Medical Airlift have been long-time partners -- saving lives by giving the gift of wings. US Airways provides an annual travel contribution to help patients struggling with financial and medical challenges get the distant, specialized care they need. Mercy Medical Airlift is one of four national nonprofit organizations in our 'Miles of Hope' program.

Donate Miles

US Airways Miles of Hope program

Through the US Airways Miles of Hope program, the flying public may donate Dividend Miles to four national nonprofit organizations: the American Red Cross, Fisher House Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Mercy Medical Airlift. Donated miles are used to fulfill each organization's mission. Nearly 900,000,000 (35,000 roundtrips) have been donated to these nonprofit organizations since the Miles of Hope program began in 1998. Mileage donations are accepted in 1,000 mile increments.