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                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1


                 [Letterhead of Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz]



                                 August 31, 2000



America West Airlines, Inc.
51 W. Third Street
Tempe, Arizona 85281

RE:      AMERICA WEST AIRLINES PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2000-1 EETC

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as your special New York counsel in connection with the
referenced matter. You have asked us to provide you with an opinion in
connection with the filing of a registration statement on Form S-4 (the
"Registration Statement") with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant
to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), in respect of
the registration under the Securities Act of the Pass Through Certificates,
Series 2000-1C (the "New Class G Certificates") and the Pass Through
Certificates, Series 2000-1G (the "New Class G Certificates" and, together with
the New Class G Certificates, the "New Certificates"), to be offered in exchange
for all outstanding Pass Through Certificates, Series 2000-1C and Series 2000-1G
(collectively, the "Old Certificates"). Each of the New Class G Certificates and
the New Class C Certificates represents or will represent a fractional undivided
interest in the following corresponding pass through trusts: the America West
Airlines Pass Through Trust, Series 2000-1G-O, the America West Airlines Pass
Through Trust, Series 2000-1G-S, the America West Airlines Pass Through Trust,
Series 2000-1C-O and the America West Airlines Pass Through Trust, Series
2000-1C-S (collectively, the "Trusts"). The Trusts were formed pursuant to four
separate pass through trust agreements, each dated as of July 7, 2000
(collectively, the "Pass Through Trust Agreements"), between America West
Airlines, Inc. ("America West" or the "Company") and Wilmington Trust Company,
as pass through trustee under each Trust (the "Trustee"). In its individual
capacity, Wilmington Trust Company is herein referred to as "Wilmington Trust".

         In connection with this opinion letter, we have examined the
Registration Statement, including the Prospectus that forms a part of the
Registration Statement. We have also examined executed counterparts, forms or
copies otherwise identified to our satisfaction of the following documents: the
Pass Through Trust Agreements, the Exchange and Registration Rights
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August 31, 2000
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Agreement, dated July 7, 2000 (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), and the
forms of Old Certificates and New Certificates, each filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement (collectively, the "Documents"). We have also examined
and relied on originals or copies of such other documents, such corporate
records, certificates and other statements of governmental officials and
corporate officers and other representatives of the corporations or entities
referred to herein and such other instruments as we have deemed necessary or
appropriate for the purposes of this opinion. We have assumed that (i) the
Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary
post-effective amendments), has become effective, (ii) the Pass Through Trust
Agreements have been qualified under the 1939 Act and (iii) all Pass Through
Certificates issued have been issued and sold in compliance with applicable
federal and state securities and blue sky laws and solely in the manner stated
in the Registration Statement. Moreover, as to certain facts material to the
opinions expressed herein, we have relied upon the representations and
warranties contained in the Documents.

         Based on the foregoing and upon an examination of such questions of law
as we have considered necessary or appropriate, and subject to the assumptions,
exceptions and qualifications set forth herein, we advise you that, in our
opinion, when issued in exchange for the Old Certificates pursuant to the
Registration Rights Agreement and authenticated pursuant to the Pass Through
Trust Agreements, the New Certificates will be legal, valid and binding
obligations of the Trusts, enforceable against the Trusts in accordance with
their terms and the terms of the Pass Through Trust Agreements and will be
entitled to the benefits of the Pass Through Trust Agreements.

         The foregoing opinion is subject to the following assumptions,
exceptions and qualifications:

         A. The foregoing opinion regarding enforceability of any document are
subject to (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization,
fraudulent conveyance, receivership and similar laws relating to or affecting
the rights and remedies of creditors generally, and (ii) general principles of
equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered and applied in a
proceeding in equity or at law).

         B. Except in the case of America West and the Trustee or Wilmington
Trust, we have assumed the due authorization, execution and delivery by each of
the parties thereto of the Documents to which each is a party and that each of
such parties has the full power, authority and legal right to execute, delivery
and perform each such document. We have relied on the opinions of Linda M.
Mitchell, Vice President and General Counsel of America West, and of Morris,
James, Hitchens &
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August 31, 2000
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Williams in respect of the due authorization, execution and delivery by America
West and the Trustee or Wilmington Trust, respectively, of the Documents to
which each is a party and of their respective power, authority and legal right
to execute, deliver and perform such documents.

         C. We have assumed that all signatures on documents and instruments
examined by us are genuine, that all documents and instruments submitted to us
as originals are authentic, and that all documents and instruments submitted to
us as copies or specimens conform with the originals, which facts we have not
independently verified.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to this Firm under the headings
"Legal Matters" in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement. In
giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are "experts" within the
meaning of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission issued thereunder with respect to any part of the
Registration Statement, including this exhibit.


                                      Very truly yours,


                                      /s/ Vedder Price Kaufman & Kammholz