America West Airlines retro jet was spotted at the Los Angeles International Airport in this Friday’s Pic of the Week. America West Airlines began flying passenger service in August of 1983. The company was headquartered in the Tempe, Arizona and operated out of a hub at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. The airline would later establish a second hub at the McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada. Following a bankruptcy reorganization from 1991 to 1994, the airline emerging as a much stronger carrier. The airline went on to acquire US Air in 2005, which was operating at the time under Bankruptcy protection. Even though the merged airlines were controlled by America West, the new entity kept the US Air brand name. The airline later agreed to be acquired by American Airlines, which now operates the legacy America West Airlines jet pictured below.
There is an excellent article about America West Airlines as it was acquired by American Airlines. It can be viewed at archive.azcentral.com