Photo provided by Mike Denoff
Original Post: Jan. 20, 2015 | Updated: Feb. 13, 2015
On Feb. 12, 2015, we will say goodbye to the last Boeing 767-200 operating scheduled passenger flights in America. US Airways will be operating its final 767-200 flight, US 767 from Charlotte Douglas International Airport to Philadelphia International Airport Thursday afternoon. This is a special “farewell flight” with celebrations in Charlotte before the flight and in Philadelphia after the flight.
The Boeing 767-200 entered service in 1982 with United Airlines. US Airways currently operates the 767-200ER which entered commercial service two years later–1984. The difference between the regular -200 and the -200ER is that the ER has an extra fuel tanks in the belly of plane and new, more powerful engines which allows the ER to fly further than the regular 767-200.
Early in 1986 Piedmont Airlines signed a six-plane order for the new 767-200ER. These new 767s were delivered in May 1987 and Piedmont started transatlantic service with the 767 on June 15th, 1987 with flights from Charlotte to London-Gatwick International Airport. Later in 1987, US Air bought Piedmont for 1.6 billion dollars and acquired Piedmont’s fleet of 767s.
US Airways at one point had 12 767-200ERs in their fleet. That number is now down to five and those remaining are set to be retired throughout January and early February. The current 767s operate routes from US Airways’ current Charlotte hub to Orlando, Philadelphia, and St. Thomas.
“The -200 is old now,” said Scott Hamilton, aerospace analyst. “As far as the passenger experience goes, it’s about whether the airline is willing to invest in upgrading the interior.”
The cost of refurbishing the aircraft and the cost of upkeep for the 767-200 combined with their old age was not the right move business-wise for US Airways. So, they decided to retire the fleet.
With the US Airways 767-200ERs being retired, AeroMexico will now be the only carrier in North America with scheduled 767-200 passenger flights. Feb. 11 will mark the end of the Boeing 767-200’s 33 year history of passenger service in the United States. Many people, including myself, will miss seeing these classic birds at our airports.
AirlineGeeks.com audience member Mike Denoff sent in pictures of the final US Airways Boeing 767-200.
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