Online check-in is available from 24 hours until 90 minutes before the flight is due to depart.

Airport check-in desks and baggage check-in close 30 minutes before take-off for domestic flights and 60 minutes for international flights. At some airports the check-in cut-off time is 45 minutes. These include Atlanta, Baltimore, Denver, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Seattle and Washington (Dulles).

Curbside check-in is available at many airports in the US. The cost is $2 (payable by credit card) in addition to the appropriate baggage fee.

There are exemptions for frequent flyers, Star Alliance members and members of the US military but for Economy-Class travellers these are the basic limits.

Carry-on: one bag plus one personal item (a handbag, briefcase or laptop bag). Items must fit in the overhead compartment or under the airline seat, and are restricted in size to 36 x 23 x 56cm (14 x 9 x 22in) and should only weigh up to 18kg. If you're flying in the US with US Airways Express (flights are operated by Air Wisconsin, Colgan, Piedmont, PSA or Trans States) the cabin baggage allowance is two pieces.

Checked: for flights from (or to) European destinations, the first piece of luggage is free. The second piece costs $55, the third, fourth and subsequent bags (up to nine) cost $200 per piece. The basic weight allowance - per bag - is 23kg (50lbs).

Passengers travelling with an infant, paying 10 per cent of the adult fare, have a baggage allowance of 23kg (50lbs) and may also bring a collapsible buggy or car seat.

Excess: for flights from or to Europe overweight bags (23kg-32kg or 51-70lbs) are subject to a minimum charge of $150. A piece of luggage that weighs between 33kg and 45kg (71-100lbs) cost $175. Bags that weigh more than 45kg (70lbs) will not be carried from UK and Irish airports. The oversized (157–203cm or 62–80in) fee is $175.

For flights within the US, Canada, Latin America or Caribbean, overweight baggage fees range from $90 (23kg-32kg or 51-70lbs) to $175 (33kg-45kg or 71-100lbs) and a piece of luggage that is oversized (157–203cm or 62–80in) costs $175.

Seat pitch: 81cm (32in).

Passengers may view seat maps and select seats during the booking process or wait for the airline to assign a seat. Seats can also be selected during online check-in.

Changes can be made online or via the reservations centre, subject to a fee plus the difference in fare. US Airways also operates a "Move Up" programme for flights within the Americas, which allows passengers you to move to an earlier flight on the same day as the original departure for a reduced rate. Cancellations can be made at any time before the flight departs. The value of the ticket will be credited to future travel (up to one year from the original issue date) less administrative fees. Name changes are not permitted.

On domestic US flights infants (the under twos) travel free of charge on an adult's lap (the adult must be over 18 years). On international flights, infants must pay 10 per cent of the adult fare in addition to any surcharges and taxes. Children, on an international route such as London-Charlotte pay about 80 per cent of the adult fare.

Special fares are available for seniors aged 65 or over on certain routes.

Pets are allowed in the cabin on domestic US flights for a $100 fee each way, provided they remain inside their approved container. Carry-on pets are not allowed on transatlantic flights or services to or from Brazil, Tel Aviv, Hawaii and Barbados.

Musical instruments are allowed as hand luggage as long as they do not exceed 190 linear cm (75in). If the instrument is too large or too fragile for the hold, an additional seat must be purchased (same price as an adult fare plus taxes). Cellos and bass violas are only accepted as seat baggage.

Transatlantic Economy passengers are served complimentary meals consisting of entrees, salads, breads and desserts. On most flights within the US, snacks must be purchased but drinks are provided free of charge. Movie, TV and radio programmes are available on long-haul flights. Gogo Inflight Internet is available on Airbus A321 aircraft (US domestic flights).

Dividend Miles, the frequent-flyer programme for US Airways allows passengers to earn miles when they fly with US Airways, members of the Star Alliance, as well other partners such as Bahamas Air, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Qatar.

A sample menu of food that can be bought on domestic flights is available at US Airways' website.

See photographs taken by fellow flyers and read reviews of the in-flight meals at AirlineMeals.net.

US Airways Magazine is available on every flight and can be read online.

The airline is a member of the Star Alliance along with Lufthansa, United Airlines and Air New Zealand. US Airways also has code-share agreements with several airlines outside the alliance including Qatar Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Royal Jordanian.