America West Airlines (NYSE: AWA) announced today that effective Oct. 1, all passengers must obtain boarding passes prior to proceeding to airport gate areas. The airline is implementing the policy in compliance with an industry-wide Transportation Security Administration (TSA) directive that calls for the measure to be in place by mid-October.

Since America West already provides several easy ways to obtain boarding passes, the airline's customers will continue to enjoy the convenient check-in process they have come to expect when traveling with the airline.

* Customers can use Web Check-In at www.americawest.com to print a boarding pass up to 24 hours prior to and until 90 minutes before their scheduled departure time.

* Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2004, the first time every FlightFund customer uses Web Check-In, he or she will receive 500 FlightFund bonus miles (FlightFund is America West's award-winning frequent flyer program).

* In addition to Web Check-In, customers can obtain boarding passes at America West self-service kiosks at dozens of airports, utilize sky-cap services or check in with an agent at the ticket counter.

As always, America West advises arriving at the airport with enough time to allow for the complete check-in process, including clearing security. A list of suggested times by airport is available at americawest.com.

America West Airlines is the nation's second largest low-cost airline and the only carrier formed since deregulation to achieve major airline status. America West's 13,000 employees serve nearly 55,000 customers a day in 96 destinations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica.

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Media Contact: Shaun Breese +1 480-693-5729 shaun.breese@americawest.com