US Airways To Congress: Where's the Love?

If US Airways gets its way at Washington's Reagan NationalAirport:

Travelers will get at least two new nonstop flights to SanFrancisco and Los Angeles.

The often-criticized turboprop planes used on regional flightswill be replaced by larger jets.

Travelers will no longer have to venture onto the tarmac to boardthe regional jets and would instead be able to use terminal gates asthey do for full-size aircraft.

But it's a big if -- in fact, the first two proposals will requireacts of Congress.

Since National is a federally controlled airport, Congress has togrant permission for US Airways to increase the number of its nonstopflights to the West Coast.

Lawmakers would also have to approve US Airways' use of 76-seatregional jets, which the carrier recently ordered and which haveraised some concerns about noise and pollution. US Airways'turboprops also have 76 seats but are smaller than the jets. Currentregulations permit the airline to fly regional jets with no more than56 seats.

Lawmakers are expected to rule on the proposals in coming weeks.

As for the third item, the carrier is working with airportofficials on winning approval to build a new terminal for itsregional operations. It hopes to begin construction later this year.The terminal would end the need for passengers to battle the elementson the tarmac or climb aboard shuttle buses to reach their flight.

In the past week, David N. Siegel, US Airways president and chiefexecutive, has gone public with the airline's lobbying efforts. At aforum in Washington on Saturday, Siegel struck a Rodney Dangerfieldpose, insisting that Congress and local Washington officials gave himno respect.

"We're not getting treated fairly at Reagan National," Siegelsaid. "We have not had the ability to fairly compete."

In its effort to keep National competitive, some lawmakers havepreferred to award flying rights to newer airlines over those thatalready have a long history of operation at National. US Airwaysoperates the most flights at National.

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), who has long supported USAirways, said she believed the carrier would be able to widen itsregional jet operations at National but that increasing the number ofnonstop flights to the West Coast could prove more challenging.Norton, who is a member of the House Transportation subcommittee onaviation, opposes more flights by any airline out of National.

Siegel complained in a speech to Washington business leaders lastweek that local officials still did not support the airline, evenafter it emerged stronger from bankruptcy. "We got the braces off ourteeth and the acne has cleared up. We've got a new hairstyle andwardrobe. We're starting to look good to people," he said, referringto the airline's exit from bankruptcy in March.

But, he added, "if we had died, rather than successfullyrestructured, would the community have come to the funeral?"

Siegel again suggested that other areas, such as Philadelphia,Pittsburgh and Charlotte, where US Airways operates a larger numberof flights, have encouraged the Arlington-based airline to relocatethere. He said that officials in Alabama, home of the airline'slargest investor, Retirement Systems of Alabama, also have showninterest.

Siegel said the airline has no plans to move its headquarters toany of those locations, but he noted that the political environmentwas different elsewhere. "I admit that I like the fact that peopleare actually vying for our attention," he said. "So far, I reallydon't get that feeling from the Washington community, however."

Some lawmakers privately noted that the airline did secure $900million in federally backed loan guarantees and last month received$216 million from Congress as part of an overall $2.9 billioneconomic package. Both financial measures were enacted by Congress tohelp the airlines after the September 2001 terrorist attacks.

Ticket Office Fees: US Airways yesterday began charging travelersa $10 fee if they purchase a ticket or change their itinerary at oneof its 13 offices across the country, including the one at 17th and Kstreets NW.

Most major carriers, including US Airways, have closed many oftheir city ticket offices in an effort to reduce costs and encouragetravelers to purchase tickets on the Internet. Travel advocate TerryTrippler of CheapSeats.com said it was "inexcusable" to chargepassengers to make changes at ticket offices. "They've gone over thetop on this one," he said.

Antitrust Case: The Supreme Court yesterday said lawyers couldpursue a class-action lawsuit against Northwest Airlines, Delta AirLines and US Airways filed by a group of travelers who said theairlines violated antitrust laws by refusing to allow passengers toadopt a cost-saving booking strategy. The airlines prohibitpassengers from booking a flight between two cities with theintention of getting off the flight when it stops for a layoverrather than carrying on to the final destination. Cheaper fares canoften be found by using this strategy.

The practice, known as hidden-city booking, is popular amongbusiness travelers who purchase tickets at the last minute and wantto avoid a Saturday-night stay that would lower the ticket price,said Tom Parsons, chief executive of Bestfares.com.

For example, a one-way, walk-up fare on Delta out of ReaganNational to Salt Lake City yesterday was $1,164. But a Delta farefrom National to Oakland, Calif., with a stop in Salt Lake was $309.

Airlines have penalized travelers by canceling their returntickets or revoking their frequent-flier miles when they discover theuse of the strategy. They also have banned travel agents who bookedthe flights from future bookings and sought back payment from theagents.

The lawsuit, which seeks as much as $4 billion from the airlines,was filed in a U.S. District Court in Michigan.