Best Airline: America West Airlines

America West Airlines is far from the biggest ticket-seller at Des Moines International Airport, but it was the readers’ choice as the best airline serving Central Iowa.

The Arizona-based airline offers two daily non-stop flights to Phoenix from Des Moines, using 50-seat and 69-seat regional Jets. About 43,400 passengers boarded America West flights in Des Moines in 2004, and approximately the same number deplaned here.

America West flies to nearly 100 destinations, including about 15 international flights, and has about 14,000 employees. It started operations in 1983 with three planes and 280 employees.

The company’s stock price hit a series of 52-week highs in July. That performance followed by a few weeks the announcement that America West will merge with US Airways to form an airline projected to have about $10 billion in annual revenues. The new company will take the US Airways name.

RUNNERS-UP: American Airlines; United Airlines

Copyright Business Publications Incorporated Aug 08, 2005