Another chapter in the long history of US Airways was closed this past Thursday as they operated the final flight of their Boeing 767-200/ER. 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.
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 “new” 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.
Upon landing in PHL, last photos were taken, goodbye’s were said and safety cards were swiped as a souvenir of the occasion. Upon exiting the aircraft to our surprise-and to the dismay to some- we found out that N252AU would step in for a broken 757 operating another turnaround to CLT. Ultimately the old girl would operate Flight 717 to CLT and come back as Flight 1798 thus officially ending it’s nearly 25 year career with US Airways.
Construction of the prototype Boeing 767, a -200 variant, began on July 6, 1979 and made its first flight on September 26, 1981. Boeing has manufactured 1,062 Boeing 767s, including 109 of he -200’s and 136 -200/ER’s. This retirement marks the last scheduled Boeing 767-200/ER in the United States. Six of these aircraft were delivered to Piedmont before their merger with US Airways in 1989, with the remaining 6 being elivered to US Airways. The 767 enabled Piedmont to start transatlantic flights, and with the delivery of it’s first widebody twin -N603P Boeing 767-201/ER named ‘Pride of Piedmont’ – the airline commenced nonstop between Charlotte and London (Gatwick) on June 15th 1987. Just like any new plane it was the most modern and efficient in its heyday. The 767 would continue to operate transatlantic flights from the eastern US for USAir over the next 25 years before ultimately being replaced by the Airbus A330-300.
(All photos courtesy of the author).
Justin Cederholm is an aviation enthusiast and photographer based in Orlando, FL.