The last US Airways Boeing 767 flight, ready to go – Photo: Justin Cederholm | NYCAviation

This story was written by Justin Cederholm for NYCAviation.com

Another chapter in the long history of US Airways was closed this past Thursday as they operated the final flight of their Boeing 767-200ER.  N252AU, which originally joined the USAir fleet in May 1990 as N652US, would be the aircraft to do the honor for today’s final flight.  The morning started at Philadelphia’s gate A18 with flowers adorning the gate area and a table full of fresh fruit, drinks, and pastries for guests on this special flight. Flight 767 departed Philadelphia (PHL) bound for Charlotte (CLT) at 9 a.m. with a full load of passengers and a dozen or so aviation enthusiasts looking to be a part of this final flight.  The short, uneventful hop down to Charlotte was greeted with a water canon salute from Charlotte’s Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) team.

US Airways employees celebrate the final 767 flight – Photo: Justin Cederholm | NYCAvation

Inside Charlotte gate D13 was decorated with balloons, a table draped with a ’˜Happy Retirement’ table cloth and two retirement cakes for the Boeing 767.  The final crew posed for photos and cake was distributed.  Shortly thereafter boarding began for the final segment of Flight 767 back to PHL.  At least two dozen enthusiasts and employees were on board this final fight which had roughly 100 open seats.  Flight 767 departed CLT at noon for the final hour-long flight back to its hub.  The light load of passengers allowed us to congregate in the aft coach cabin to reminisce on past flights on the 767 and discuss new aircraft joining the fleet of the ’œnew’ American Airlines.  Before landing the pilot gave a speech on the history of the 767, its significance in the industry, and its history within the airline.

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