In 1990, only 7 years after its birth in 1983, America West was flying to Hawaii, major cities in the East Coast, and most major cities in the west. 1 year later flights commenced to Japan. The Hawaiian and Japan routes, along with their 747s were discontinued shortly after the commencement of the Gulf War in 1981.July 15, 1986 3 years after it's founding, America West had established a system serving as far east as Chicago, and fortress hubs in Las Vegas and Phoenix. To this day, Southwest is AW's biggest competitor at its 2 hubs.