<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1
 
                             LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
 
                          AMERICA WEST AIRLINES, INC.
 
                               OFFER TO EXCHANGE
                   PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 1998-1,
                           WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED
                 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED,
                          FOR ANY AND ALL OUTSTANDING
                    PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 1998-1
 
   
               PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS, DATED MARCH 25, 1999.
    
 
   
THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M. NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON APRIL 26,
1999, UNLESS EXTENDED (THE "EXPIRATION DATE"). TENDERS MAY BE WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO
5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON APRIL 26, 1999.
    
 
                            WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
                                 EXCHANGE AGENT
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
        By Mail or Overnight Delivery:                            By Hand:
           Wilmington Trust Company                       Wilmington Trust Company
           1100 North Market Street                 1105 North Market Street, 1st Floor
       Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001                   Wilmington, Delaware 19890
           Attention: Kristin Long                 Attention: Corporate Trust Operations
</TABLE>
 
                            Facsimile Transmission:
                                 (302) 651-1079
 
                             Confirm by Telephone:
                                 (302) 651-1562
                                  Kristin Long
 
  DELIVERY OF THIS INSTRUMENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE, OR
 TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA FACSIMILE OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE, WILL
                        NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
 
     The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus, dated (the
"Prospectus"), of America West Airlines, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company" or "America West"), and this Letter of Transmittal (this "Letter"),
which together constitute the offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange an
aggregate principal amount of up to $190,529,000 of Pass Through Certificates,
Series 1998-1, which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "New Certificates"), for an equal principal amount of the
outstanding Pass Through Certificates, Series 1998-1 (the "Old Certificates").
The Exchange Offer is being made in order to satisfy certain obligations of the
Company contained in the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of
October 6, 1998, between the Company and the Initial Purchasers named therein
(the "Registration Rights Agreement").
<PAGE>   2
 
     For each Old Certificate accepted for exchange, the holder of such Old
Certificate (the "Holder") will receive a New Certificate having a principal
amount equal to that of the surrendered Old Certificate. New Certificates will
accrue interest at the applicable per annum rate for such New Certificates as
set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus, from the date on which the Old
Certificates surrendered in exchange therefor were originally issued (the
"Issuance Date"). Interest on the New Certificates is payable on January 2 and
July 2 of each year, commencing January 2, 1999, subject to the terms of the
Intercreditor Agreement (as defined in the Prospectus).
 
     In the event that neither the consummation of the Exchange Offer nor the
declaration by the Securities and Exchange Commission of a Shelf Registration
Statement relating to the sale of the Old Certificates to be effective (each a
"Registration Event") occurs on or prior to the 210th calendar day after the
Issuance Date, the interest rate per annum passed through to holders of Old
Certificates shall be increased by 0.50% from and including such 210th day to
but excluding the earlier of (i) the date on which a Registration Event occurs
and (ii) the date on which all of the Old Certificates otherwise become
transferable by Certificateholders (other than affiliates or former affiliates
of America West) without further registration under the Securities Act. In the
event that such Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be effective at any time
during the period specified by the Registration Rights Agreement for more than
60 days, whether or not consecutive, during any 12-month period, the interest
rate per annum passed through to the holders of Old Certificates shall be
increased by 0.50% from the 61st day of the applicable 12-month period such
Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be effective until such time as such
Shelf Registration Statement again becomes effective (or, if earlier, the end of
such period specified by the Registration Rights Agreement).
 
     The Company reserves the right, at any time or from time to time, to extend
the Exchange Offer at its discretion, in which event the term "Expiration Date"
shall mean the latest time and date to which the Exchange Offer is extended. The
Company shall notify the holders of the Old Certificates of any extension by
means of a press release or other public announcement prior to 9:00 A.M., New
York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled
Expiration Date.
 
     This Letter is to be completed by a holder of Old Certificates if Old
Certificates are to be forwarded herewith or if a tender of Old Certificates is
to be made by book-entry transfer through the Automated Tender Offer Program
("ATOP") at The Depository Trust Company (the "DTC") pursuant to the procedure
set forth in "The Exchange Offer -- Book-Entry Transfer" section of the
Prospectus.
 
     Holders who are participants in DTC ("DTC Participants") tendering by
book-entry transfer must execute such tender through ATOP on or prior to the
Expiration Date. DTC will verify such acceptance, execute a book-entry transfer
of the tendered Old Certificates into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC and
then send to the Exchange Agent confirmation of such book-entry transfer
("Book-Entry Confirmation") including an agent's message ("Agent's Message")
confirming that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from such Holder that
such Holder has received and agrees to be bound by this Letter of Transmittal
and that the Trust and the Company may enforce this Letter of Transmittal
against such Holder. The book-entry confirmation must be received by the
Exchange Agent in order for the tender relating thereto to be effective.
Book-entry transfer to DTC in accordance with DTC's procedures does not
constitute delivery of the book-entry confirmation to the Exchange Agent.
 
     If the tender is not made through ATOP, Old Certificates, as well as this
Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof), properly completed and duly
executed, with any required signature guarantees, and any other documents
required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent
at its address set forth herein on or prior to the Expiration Date in order for
such tender to be effective.
 
     Holders of Old Certificates whose certificates are not immediately
available, or who are unable to deliver their certificates or confirmation of
the book-entry tender of their Old Certificates and all other documents required
by this Letter to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date, must
tender their Old Certificates according to the guaranteed delivery procedures
set forth in "The Exchange Offer -- Guaranteed Delivery Procedures" section of
the Prospectus. See Instruction 1.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   3
 
     THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THE BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION OR OLD CERTIFICATES,
THIS TRANSMITTAL LETTER, AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE OPTION AND
SOLE RISK OF THE TENDERING HOLDER, AND THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY
WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED
MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, OR OVERNIGHT DELIVERY
SERVICE IS RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO
ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.
 
     The undersigned has completed the appropriate boxes below and signed this
Letter to indicate the action the undersigned desires to take with respect to
the Exchange Offer.
 
     List below the Old Certificates to which this Letter relates. If the space
provided below is inadequate, the certificate numbers and principal amount of
Old Certificates should be listed on a separate signed schedule affixed hereto.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             DESCRIPTION OF OLD CERTIFICATES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     (1)                                                         (2)                     (3)
           NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)                                            AGGREGATE
           OF REGISTERED HOLDER(S)                   CERTIFICATE           PRINCIPAL AMOUNT           PRINCIPAL
          (PLEASE FILL IN, IF BLANK)                   NUMBERS*          OF OLD CERTIFICATES      AMOUNT TENDERED**
<S>                                             <C>                     <C>                     <C>                    <C>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Total:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
   * Need not be completed by Holders of Notes being tendered by book-entry
     transfer (see below).
 
  ** Unless otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all Notes represented
     by certificates delivered to the Depositary are being tendered. See
     Instruction 1.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   4
 
[ ]     CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD CERTIFICATES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY
        BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT
        WITH THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
 
        Name of Tendering Institution:
      ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
        Account Number:
      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
        Transaction Code Number:
 
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
[ ]     CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD CERTIFICATES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO
        A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT
        AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
 
        Name(s) of Registered Holder(s):
      -------------------------------------------------------------------
 
        Window Ticket Number (if any):
      ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 
        Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery:
      ------------------------------------------------
 
        Name of Institution which guaranteed delivery:
      ------------------------------------------------------
 
        If Delivered by Book-Entry Transfer, Complete the Following:
 
        Account Number:
      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
        Transaction Code Number:
 
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
[ ]     CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL
        COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS
        THERETO.
 
        Name:
      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
        Address:
      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   5
 
              PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
     Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the
undersigned hereby tenders to the Company the aggregate principal amount of Old
Certificates indicated above. Subject to, and effective upon, the acceptance for
exchange of the Old Certificates tendered hereby, the undersigned hereby sells,
assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Company all right, title and
interest in and to such Old Certificates as are being tendered hereby.
 
     The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has
full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Old
Certificates tendered hereby and that the Company will acquire good and
unencumbered title thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges
and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claim when the same are accepted
by the Company. The undersigned hereby further represents that any New
Certificates acquired in exchange for Old Certificates tendered hereby will have
been acquired in the ordinary course of business of the person receiving such
New Certificates, whether or not such person is the undersigned, that neither
the holder of such Old Certificates nor any such other person is engaged in, or
intends to engage in a distribution of such New Certificates, or has an
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution
of such New Certificates, and that neither the holder of such Old Certificates
nor any such other person is an "affiliate," as defined in Rule 405 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), of the Company.
 
     The undersigned also acknowledges that this Exchange Offer is being made
based upon the Company's understanding of an interpretation by the staff of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") as set forth in no-action
letters issued to third parties, including Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation,
SEC No-Action Letter (available May 13, 1988) (the "Exxon Capital Letter"),
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, SEC No-Action Letter (available June 5, 1991)
(the "Morgan Stanley Letter") and Shearman & Sterling, SEC No-Action Letter
(available July 2, 1993) (the "Shearman & Sterling Letter"), that the New
Certificates issued in exchange for the Old Certificates pursuant to the
Exchange Offer may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by
holders thereof (other than a broker-dealer who acquires such New Certificates
directly from the Company for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities
Act or any other available exemption under the Securities Act or any such holder
that is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the
Securities Act), without compliance with the registration and prospectus
delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such New Certificates
are acquired in the ordinary course of such holders' business and such holders
are not engaged in, and do not intend to engage in, a distribution of such New
Certificates and have no arrangement with any person to participate in the
distribution of such New Certificates.
 
     If a holder of Old Certificates is engaged in or intends to engage in a
distribution of the New Certificates or has any arrangement or understanding
with respect to the distribution of the New Certificates to be acquired pursuant
to the Exchange Offer, such holder could not rely on the applicable
interpretations of the staff of the Commission and must comply with the
registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any secondary resale transaction. If the undersigned is a
broker-dealer that will receive New Certificates for its own account in exchange
for Old Certificates, it represents that the Old Certificates to be exchanged
for the New Certificates were acquired by it as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities and acknowledges that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of such New Certificates; however, by
so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be
deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities
Act.
 
     The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional
documents deemed by the Company to be necessary or desirable to complete the
sale, assignment and transfer of the Old Certificates tendered hereby. All
authority conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter and every
obligation of
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   6
 
the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs,
executors, administrators, trustees in bankruptcy and legal representatives of
the undersigned and shall not be affected by, and shall survive, the death or
incapacity of the undersigned. This tender may be withdrawn only in accordance
with the procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer -- Withdrawal of Tenders"
section of the Prospectus.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled "Special Issuance
Instructions" below, please deliver the New Certificates (and, if applicable,
substitute certificates representing Old Certificates for any Old Certificates
not exchanged) in the name of the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry
delivery of Old Certificates, please credit the account indicated above
maintained at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility. Similarly, unless otherwise
indicated under the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" below, please
send the New Certificates (and, if applicable, substitute certificates
representing Old Certificates for any Old Certificates not exchanged) to the
undersigned at the address shown above in the box entitled "Description of Old
Certificates."
 
     THE UNDERSIGNED, BY COMPLETING THE BOX ENTITLED "DESCRIPTION OF OLD
CERTIFICATES" ABOVE AND SIGNING THIS LETTER, WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE TENDERED THE
OLD CERTIFICATES AS SET FORTH IN SUCH BOX ABOVE.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   7
 
------------------------------------------------------
                         SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS
                           (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 3 AND 4)
------------------------------------------------------
 
      To be completed ONLY if certificates for Old Certificates not exchanged
 and/or New Certificates are to be issued in the name of and sent to someone
 other than the person(s) whose signature(s) appear(s) on this Letter below, or
 if Old Certificates delivered by book-entry transfer which are not accepted
 for exchange are to be returned by credit to an account maintained at the
 Book-Entry Transfer Facility other than the account indicated above.
 
 Issue:  New Certificates and/or Old Certificates to:
 
 Name(s):
 -----------------------------------------
                             (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)
 
 -----------------------------------------------------
 Address(es):
 --------------------------------------
 -----------------------------------------------------
                              (INCLUDING ZIP CODE)
 
 -----------------------------------------------------
              (SOCIAL SECURITY OR EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
 
 [ ]  Credit unexchanged Old Certificates delivered by book-entry transfer to
      the Book-Entry Transfer Facility account set forth below.
 
 -----------------------------------------------------
                         (BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY
                         ACCOUNT NUMBER, IF APPLICABLE)
------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------
                         SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
                           (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 3 AND 4)
------------------------------------------------------
 
      To be completed ONLY if certificates for Old Certificates not exchanged
 and/or New Certificates are to be sent to someone other than the person(s)
 whose signature(s) appear(s) on this letter below, or to the undersigned at an
 address other than shown in the box entitled "Description of Old Certificates"
 on this Letter above.
 
 Mail:  New Certificates and/or Old Certificates to:
 
 Name(s):
 -----------------------------------------
                             (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)
 
 -----------------------------------------------------
 Address:
 -------------------------------------------
 -----------------------------------------------------
                              (INCLUDING ZIP CODE)
 
------------------------------------------------------
 
IMPORTANT:  THIS LETTER OR A FACSIMILE HEREOF (TOGETHER WITH THE CERTIFICATES
FOR OLD CERTIFICATES OR A BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED
DOCUMENTS OR THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY) MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE
AGENT PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.
 
                PLEASE READ THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY
                        BEFORE COMPLETING ANY BOX ABOVE.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   8
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                       <C>
PLEASE SIGN HERE
(TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING HOLDERS)
(COMPLETE ACCOMPANYING SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9)
 
---------------------------------------------------       ---------------------------------------------------
(SIGNATURE(S) OF OWNER(S))
 
Date: --------------------------------------------        Date: --------------------------------------------
Area Code and Telephone Number:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
     If a holder is tendering any Old Certificates, this Letter must be signed
by the registered holder(s) as the name(s) appear(s) on the certificate(s) for
the Old Certificates or by any person(s) authorized to become registered
holder(s) by endorsements and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by
a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, officer or other person acting in
a fiduciary or representative capacity, please set forth full title. See
Instruction 3.
 
Name(s):
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)
 
Capacity:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Address:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              (INCLUDING ZIP CODE)
 
                              SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
                         (IF REQUIRED BY INSTRUCTION 3)
 
Authorized Signature:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name and Firm:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dated:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   9
 
                                  INSTRUCTIONS
 
     Forming Part of the Terms and Conditions of the Offer to Exchange Pass
Through Certificates, Series 1998-1, which have been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for any and all outstanding Pass Through
Certificates, Series 1998-1.
 
1.  DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER AND OLD CERTIFICATES; GUARANTEED DELIVERY
    PROCEDURES.
 
     This Letter is to be completed by holders of Old Certificates if
certificates are to be forwarded herewith or if tenders are to be made pursuant
to the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer set forth in "The Exchange
Offer -- Book-Entry Transfer" section of the Prospectus. Certificates for all
physically tendered Old Certificates, or Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case
may be, as well as a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal
(or facsimile thereof) and any other documents required by this Letter, must be
received by the Exchange Agent at the address set forth herein on or prior to
the Expiration Date, or the tendering holder must comply with the guaranteed
delivery procedures set forth below. Old Certificates tendered hereby must be in
denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.
 
     Holders who are DTC Participants tendering by book-entry transfer must
execute such tender through DTC's ATOP system. A Holder using ATOP should
transmit its acceptance to DTC on or prior to the Expiration Date. DTC will
verify such acceptance, execute a book-entry transfer of the tendered Old
Certificates into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC and then send to the
Exchange Agent a Book-Entry Confirmation, including an Agent's Message
confirming that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from such Holder that
such Holder has received and agrees to be bound by this Letter of Transmittal
and that the Trust and the Company may enforce this Letter of Transmittal
against such Holder. The Book-Entry Confirmation must be received by the
Exchange Agent in order for the tender relating thereto to be effective.
Book-entry transfer to DTC in accordance with DTC's procedure does not
constitute delivery of the Book-Entry Confirmation to the Exchange Agent.
 
     Holders of Old Certificates whose certificates for Old Certificates are not
immediately available or who cannot deliver their certificates and all other
required documents to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date, or
who cannot complete the procedure for book-entry transfer on a timely basis, may
tender their Old Certificates pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set
forth in "The Exchange Offer -- Guaranteed Delivery Procedures" section of the
Prospectus. Pursuant to such procedures, (i) such tender must be made through an
Eligible Institution (as defined below), (ii) prior to the Expiration Date, the
Exchange Agent must receive from such Eligible Institution a properly completed
and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) and Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form provided by the Company (by
facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery), setting forth the name and
address of the holder of Old Certificates and the amount of Old Certificates
tendered, stating that the tender is being made thereby and guaranteeing that
within three New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") trading days after the date of
execution of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, the certificates for all
physically tendered Old Certificates, or a Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case
may be, and any other documents required by this Letter will be deposited by the
Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent, and (iii) the certificates for all
physically tendered Old Certificates, in proper form for transfer, or Book-Entry
Confirmation, as the case may be, and all other documents required by this
Letter, are received by the Exchange Agent within three NYSE trading days after
the date of execution of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
 
     A Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand or transmitted by
facsimile or mail to the Exchange Agent, and must include a guarantee by an
Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such Notice. For Old Certificates
to be properly tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure, the
Exchange Agent must receive a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery on or prior to the
Expiration Date.
 
     As used herein and in the Prospectus, "Eligible Institution" means a firm
or other entity identified in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act as "an
eligible guarantor institution," including (as such terms are
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   10
 
defined therein) (i) a bank, (ii) a broker, dealer, municipal securities broker
or dealer or government securities broker or dealer, (iii) a credit union, (iv)
a national securities exchange, registered securities association or clearing
agency, or (iv) a savings association that is a participant in a Securities
Transfer Association.
 
     THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER, THE OLD CERTIFICATES AND ALL OTHER
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING HOLDERS, BUT THE
DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED OR CONFIRMED BY THE
EXCHANGE AGENT. IF OLD CERTIFICATES ARE SENT BY MAIL, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE
MAILING BE MADE SUFFICIENTLY IN ADVANCE OF THE EXPIRATION DATE TO PERMIT
DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE
EXPIRATION DATE.
 
     See "The Exchange Offer" section of the Prospectus.
 
2.  PARTIAL TENDERS (NOT APPLICABLE TO HOLDERS OF OLD CERTIFICATES WHO TENDER BY
    BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER).
 
     If less than all of the Old Certificates evidenced by a submitted
certificate are to be tendered, the tendering holder(s) should fill in the
aggregate principal amount of Old Certificates to be tendered in the box above
entitled "Description of Old Certificates -- Principal Amount Tendered." A
reissued certificate representing the balance of nontendered Old Certificates
will be sent to such tendering holder, unless otherwise provided in the
appropriate box on this Letter, promptly after the Expiration Date. All of the
Old Certificates delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been
tendered unless otherwise indicated.
 
3.  SIGNATURES OF THIS LETTER; BOND POWERS AND ENDORSEMENTS; GUARANTEE OF
    SIGNATURES.
 
     If this Letter is signed by the registered holder of the Old Certificates
tendered hereby, the signature must correspond exactly with the name as written
on the face of the certificates without any change whatsoever.
 
     If any tendered Old Certificates are owned of record by two or more joint
owners, all such owners must sign this Letter.
 
     If any tendered Old Certificates are registered in different names on
several certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many
separate copies of this Letter as there are different registrations of
certificates.
 
     When this Letter is signed by the registered holder of the Old Certificates
specified herein and tendered hereby, no endorsements of certificates or
separate bond powers are required. If, however, the New Certificates are to be
issued, or any untendered Old Certificates are to be reissued, to a person other
than the registered holder, then endorsements of any certificates transmitted
hereby or separate bond powers are required. Signatures on such certificates
must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
 
     If this Letter is signed by a person other than the registered holder of
any certificates specified herein, such certificates must be endorsed or
accompanied by appropriate bond powers, in either case signed exactly as the
name of the registered holder appears on the certificates and the signatures on
such certificates must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
 
     If this Letter or any certificates or bond powers are signed by trustees,
executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of
corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such
persons should so indicate when signing, and, unless waived by the Company,
proper evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority to so act must be
submitted.
 
     Endorsements on certificates for Old Certificates or signatures on bond
powers required by this Instruction 3 must be guaranteed by an Eligible
Institution.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   11
 
     Signatures on this Letter need not be guaranteed by an Eligible
Institution, provided the Old Certificates are tendered: (i) by a registered
holder of Old Certificates (which term, for purposes of the Exchange Offer,
includes any participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility system whose name
appears on a security position listing as the holder of such Old Certificates)
tendered who has not completed the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions"
or "Special Delivery Instructions" on this Letter, or (ii) for the account of an
Eligible Institution.
 
4.  SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS.
 
     Tendering holders of Old Certificates should indicate in the applicable box
the name and address to which New Certificates issued pursuant to the Exchange
Offer and/or substitute certificates evidencing Old Certificates not exchanged
are to be issued or sent, if different from the name or address of the person
signing this Letter. In the case of issuance in a different name, the employer
identification or social security number of the person named must also be
indicated. A holder of Old Certificates tendering Old Certificates by book-entry
transfer may request that Old Certificates not exchanged be credited to such
account maintained at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility as such holder of Old
Certificates may designate hereon. If no such instructions are given, such Old
Certificates not exchanged will be returned to the name or address of the person
signing this Letter.
 
5.  TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
 
     Federal income tax law generally requires that a tendering holder whose Old
Certificates are accepted for exchange must provide the Exchange Agent with such
Holder's correct Taxpayer Identification Number ("TIN") on Substitute Form W-9
below, which, in the case of a tendering holder who is an individual, is his or
her social security number. If a tendering holder does not provide the Exchange
Agent with its current TIN or an adequate basis for an exemption, such tendering
holder may be subject to backup withholding in an amount equal to 31% of all
reportable payments made after the exchange. If withholding results in an
overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained.
 
     Exempt holders of Old Certificates (including, among others, all
corporations and certain foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup
withholding and reporting requirements. See the enclosed Guidelines of
Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9 (the "W-9
Guidelines") for additional instructions.
 
     To prevent backup withholding, each tendering holder of Old Certificates
must provide its correct TIN by completing the "Substitute Form W-9" set forth
below, certifying that the TIN provided is correct (or that such holder is
awaiting a TIN) and that (i) the holder is exempt from backup withholding, (ii)
the holder has not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that such
holder is subject to a backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all
interest or dividends or (iii) the Internal Revenue Service has notified the
holder that such holder is no longer subject to backup withholding. If the
tendering holder of Old Certificates is a nonresident alien or foreign entity
not subject to backup withholding, such holder must give the Exchange Agent a
completed Form W-8, Certificate of Foreign Status. These forms may be obtained
from the Exchange Agent. If the Old Certificates are in more than one name or
are not in the name of the actual owner, such holder should consult the W-9
Guidelines for information on which TIN to report. If such holder does not have
a TIN, such holder should consult the W-9 Guidelines for instructions on
applying for a TIN, check the box in Part 2 of the Substitute Form W-9 and write
"applied for" in lieu of its TIN. Note: checking this box and writing "applied
for" on the form means that such holder has already applied for a TIN or that
such holder intends to apply for one in the near future. If such holder does not
provide its TIN to the Exchange Agent within 60 days, backup withholding will
begin and continue until such holder furnishes its TIN to the Exchange Agent.
 
6.  TRANSFER TAXES.
 
     The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the transfer
of Old Certificates to it or its order pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If,
however, New Certificates and/or substitute Old Certificates
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   12
 
not exchanged are to be delivered to, or are to be registered or issued in the
name of, any person other than the registered holder of the Old Certificates
tendered hereby, or if tendered Old Certificates are registered in the name of
any person other than the person signing this Letter, or if a transfer tax is
imposed for any reason other than the transfer of Old Certificates to the
Company or its order pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the amount of any such
transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder or any other persons)
will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of
such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted herewith, the amount of such
transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering holder.
 
     Except as provided in this Instruction 6, it is not necessary for transfer
tax stamps to be affixed to the Old Certificates specified in this Letter.
 
7.  WAIVER OF CONDITIONS.
 
     The Company reserves the absolute right to waive satisfaction of any or all
conditions enumerated in the Prospectus.
 
8.  NO CONDITIONAL TENDERS.
 
     No alternative, conditional, irregular or contingent tenders will be
accepted. All tendering holders of Old Certificates, by execution of this
Letter, shall waive any right to receive notice of the acceptance of their Old
Certificates for exchange. Neither the Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other
person is obligated to give notice of any defect or irregularity with respect to
any tender of Old Certificates nor shall any of them incur any liability for
failure to give any such notice.
 
9.  MUTILATED, LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED OLD CERTIFICATES.
 
     Any holder whose Old Certificates have been mutilated, lost, stolen or
destroyed should contact the Exchange Agent at the address indicated above for
further instructions.
 
10.  REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR ADDITIONAL COPIES.
 
     Questions relating to the procedure for tendering, as well as requests for
additional copies of the Prospectus and this Letter, may be directed to the
Exchange Agent, at the address and telephone number indicated above.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   13
 
                    TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING HOLDERS
 
                              (SEE INSTRUCTION 5)
 
               GIVE FORM TO THE REQUESTER. DO NOT SEND TO THE IRS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                <C>                                  <C>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 SUBSTITUTE                         PART I -- TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (TIN)
 FORM W-9
 
                                    ----------------------------------  ----------------------------------
                                                                        LIST ACCOUNT NUMBERS HERE
                                                                        (OPTIONAL)
                                    ----------------------------------
 
                                    PART II -- FOR PAYEE EXEMPT FROM BACKUP WITHHOLDING
                                    (SEE THE W-9 GUIDELINES)
 
                                   Social Security Number
                                   ---------------------------------------------
 
                                   Or Employer Identification Number
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                    Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. For individuals, this is your
                                    social security number (SSN). For sole proprietors or resident aliens,
                                    see the W-9 Guidelines. For other entities, it is your employer
                                    identification number (EIN). If you do not have a number, see the W-9
                                    Guidelines. NOTE: If the account is in more than one name, see the
                                    chart in the W-9 Guidelines for guidance on whose number to enter.
 Please Print or Type
                                   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   NAME (IF A JOINT ACCOUNT OR YOU CHANGED YOUR NAME, SEE THE W-9
                                   GUIDELINES)
 
                                   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      BUSINESS NAME, IF DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE. (SEE THE W-9 GUIDELINES.)
                                    Please check the appropriate box:   [ ] Individual/Sole Proprietor
                                                                        [ ] Corporation
                                                                        [ ] Partnership
                                                                        [ ] Other
 
                                    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    ADDRESS (NUMBER, STREET, APT. OR SUITE NO.).
                                    REQUESTER'S NAME AND ADDRESS (OPTIONAL)
 
                                   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   CITY, STATE AND ZIP CODE
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    PART III -- CERTIFICATION
                                    Under penalties of perjury, I certify that;
                                    1.  The number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer identification
                                    (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me), and
                                    2.  I am not subject to backup withholding because: (a) I am exempt
                                    from backup withholding, or (b) I have not been notified by the
                                    Internal Revenue Service that I am subject to backup withholding as a
                                    result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS
                                    has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding.
                                   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    CERTIFICATION INSTRUCTIONS. You must cross out item 2 above if you have
 (REV. DECEMBER 1996)               been notified by the IRS that you are currently subject to backup
 DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY         withholding because you have failed to report all interest or dividends
 INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE           on your tax return. For real estate transactions, item 2 does not
 REQUEST FOR TAXPAYER               apply. For mortgage interest paid, the acquisition or abandonment of
 IDENTIFICATION NUMBER              secured property, cancellation of debt, contributions to an individual
 AND CERTIFICATION                  retirement arrangement (IRA), and generally payments other than
                                    interest and dividends, you are not required to sign the Certification,
                                    but you must provide your correct TIN. (Also, see the W-9 Guidelines.)
                                    SIGN HERE:
                                   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    SIGNATURE                           DATE
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
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