The CEO of United Airlines pitched a merger with American Airlines to President Donald Trump at a meeting in February, according to multiple news reports.
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is a major hub for American Airlines, whose history is deeply rooted in historic airlines based in Arizona.
In December 2013, American Airlines merged with Tempe-based US Airways to form the largest airline in the world.
Less than a decade prior, in 2007, US Airways merged with American West, moving its headquarters and hub to Arizona.
America West, founded in 1983, was the flagship airline for Phoenix for more than 20 years.
Cary Grant, a professor from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, said America West was a symbol of the growth of Phoenix.
“There was a lot of pride in both the city government and the business leaders of the day,” Grant said. “‘Hey, look what we’re growing, corporate headquarters, come here because we’ve got our own airline.’”
Grant said the growth of Sky Harbor and Terminal 4 was because of America West, which later became US Airways
“The lasting legacy of America West will be that it was Phoenix’s hometown airline, and it will always be known as Phoenix’s hometown airline,” Grant said.
Grant says local pride faded when America West became US Airways, but still helped turn Phoenix into a powerhouse for aviation.
The home of the Phoenix Suns and Mercury, now known as Mortgage Matchup Center, was known as America West Arena when it opened. The arena maintained the branding until the merger with US Airways, when it became US Airways Center.
“It sets a cultural icon just like America West arena,” Grant said. “Everybody will remember it as America West Arena long after that company’s gone. So you do set a culture that has a mark that lasts a long, long time.”
American Airlines operates a legacy aircraft with America West branding on it.
