Rules on flying big pets, oxygen tanks and unchaperoned youngsters on the new US Airways were issued Wednesday.
The passenger flight policies will take effect Oct. 1 and are some of the rules that would apply when bankrupt US Airways merges with America West Airlines. The two carriers hope to begin flying under the US Airways flag as early as the beginning of October.
Dozens of other passenger travel policies will be addressed soon, said US Airways spokesman David Castelveter.
"We're looking at all the travel policies to make sure they're all aligned as closely as possible in time for the merger," said Castelveter.
For example, the newly merged airline will charge a flat $40 for each unaccompanied minor between age five and 14, which mirrors America West policy. US Airways was charging between $40 and $90 per minor, depending on the destination.
Also effective Oct. 1, live animals may no longer travel as checked baggage or cargo, which reflects America West policy. Smaller animals that are well-behaved and contained in proper cages may ride on board with their owners, said Castelveter.
But passengers with reservations made before Aug. 17 and traveling no later than Nov. 1 may check an animal into baggage. Policy changes do not apply to seeing-eye dogs.
Lastly, passengers will no longer be able to purchase oxygen tanks on US Airways flights come Oct. 1.
"These changes are more in line with other low-cost competitors," said Al Crellin, US Airways executive vice president of operations.
Separately, the merger partners said they are consolidating the jobs of 52 officers between the two airlines into 34 positions. A few of those jobs are to integrate specific areas and will be phased out later. The move should reduce the associated overhead by 35 percent, the airlines said.
America West Chief Financial Officer Derek Kerr was named CFO of the merged airline yesterday.
