List of US airlines 2024
Last Updated :
29 Feb, 2024
List of US Airlines: The vast expanse of the United States is seamlessly connected by a diverse array of airlines, forming a crucial aspect of the nation’s transportation infrastructure. From legacy carriers with extensive histories to nimble low-cost carriers providing affordable options, the U.S. boasts a robust aviation industry.
This article will delve into the importance of airlines in the U.S., explore the different types of carriers, and provide a detailed list of major U.S. airlines in a convenient table format.
List of US Airlines
Some important US airlines are as follows:
Passenger Airlines
Mainline Airlines
Table listing 15 mainline passenger airlines in the United States along with their primary hubs and the year they were founded:
No. |
Airline |
Primary Hubs |
Founded |
1 |
American Airlines |
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Miami (MIA) |
1930 |
2 |
Delta Air Lines |
Atlanta (ATL), Minneapolis (MSP) |
1924 |
3 |
United Airlines |
Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN) |
1926 |
4 |
Southwest Airlines |
Dallas (DAL), Chicago (MDW) |
1967 |
5 |
Alaska Airlines |
Seattle (SEA), Portland (PDX) |
1932 |
6 |
JetBlue Airways |
New York (JFK), Boston (BOS) |
1999 |
7 |
Spirit Airlines |
Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Detroit (DTW) |
1983 |
8 |
Frontier Airlines |
Denver (DEN), Orlando (MCO) |
1994 |
9 |
Hawaiian Airlines |
Honolulu (HNL), Kahului (OGG) |
1929 |
10 |
Allegiant Air |
Las Vegas (LAS), Orlando (SFB) |
1997 |
11 |
Sun Country Airlines |
Minneapolis (MSP), Dallas (DFW) |
1982 |
12 |
Endeavor Air |
Minneapolis (MSP), Detroit (DTW) |
1985 |
13 |
SkyWest Airlines |
Salt Lake City (SLC), Los Angeles (LAX) |
1972 |
14 |
Mesa Airlines |
Phoenix (PHX), Dallas (DFW) |
1982 |
15 |
Republic Airways |
Indianapolis (IND), Philadelphia (PHL) |
1974 |
Regional Airlines
No. |
Airline |
Primary Hubs |
Founded |
1 |
Endeavor Air |
Minneapolis (MSP), Detroit (DTW) |
1985 |
2 |
SkyWest Airlines |
Salt Lake City (SLC), Los Angeles (LAX) |
1972 |
3 |
Mesa Airlines |
Phoenix (PHX), Dallas (DFW) |
1982 |
4 |
Republic Airways |
Indianapolis (IND), Philadelphia (PHL) |
1974 |
5 |
Envoy Air |
Dallas (DFW), Miami (MIA) |
1984 |
6 |
Compass Airlines |
Seattle (SEA), Los Angeles (LAX) |
2006 |
7 |
GoJet Airlines |
St. Louis (STL), Chicago (ORD) |
2004 |
8 |
Cape Air |
Boston (BOS), San Juan (SJU) |
1989 |
9 |
Boutique Air |
Dallas (DFW), San Francisco (SFO) |
2007 |
10 |
PSA Airlines |
Charlotte (CLT), Dayton (DAY) |
1980 |
11 |
ExpressJet Airlines |
Chicago (ORD), Newark (EWR) |
1986 |
12 |
Southern Airways Express |
Memphis (MEM), Atlanta (ATL) |
2013 |
13 |
Ultimate Air Shuttle |
Cincinnati (CVG), Cleveland (CLE) |
2009 |
14 |
Silver Airways |
Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Tampa (TPA) |
2011 |
15 |
Piedmont Airlines |
Philadelphia (PHL), Charlotte (CLT) |
1931 |
Commuter Airlines
No. |
Airline |
Primary Hubs |
Founded |
1 |
Cape Air |
Boston (BOS), San Juan (SJU) |
1989 |
2 |
Boutique Air |
Dallas (DFW), San Francisco (SFO) |
2007 |
3 |
Southern Airways Express |
Memphis (MEM), Atlanta (ATL) |
2013 |
4 |
Ultimate Air Shuttle |
Cincinnati (CVG), Cleveland (CLE) |
2009 |
5 |
Silver Airways |
Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Tampa (TPA) |
2011 |
6 |
Everts Air Cargo |
Fairbanks (FAI), Anchorage (ANC) |
1995 |
7 |
Great Lakes Airlines |
Denver (DEN), Phoenix (PHX) |
1977 |
8 |
Mokulele Airlines |
Honolulu (HNL), Kahului (OGG) |
1998 |
9 |
Taquan Air |
Ketchikan (KTN), Seattle (SEA) |
1977 |
10 |
PenAir |
Anchorage (ANC), Portland (PDX) |
1955 |
11 |
Kenmore Air |
Seattle (SEA), Kenmore (KEH) |
1946 |
12 |
SeaPort Airlines |
Portland (PDX), Memphis (MEM) |
2008 |
13 |
Ameriflight |
Dallas (DFW), Burbank (BUR) |
1968 |
14 |
Air Choice One |
St. Louis (STL), Chicago (ORD) |
1979 |
15 |
Grant Aviation |
Anchorage (ANC), Bethel (BET) |
1971 |
Charter Airlines
No. |
Airline |
Primary Hubs |
Founded |
1 |
Miami Air International |
Miami (MIA) |
1990 |
2 |
Omni Air International |
Tulsa (TUL) |
1993 |
3 |
Allegiant Air |
Las Vegas (LAS), Orlando (SFB) |
1997 |
4 |
Sun Country Airlines |
Minneapolis (MSP), Dallas (DFW) |
1982 |
5 |
Vision Airlines |
Atlanta (ATL), Las Vegas (LAS) |
1994 |
6 |
Swift Air |
Miami (MIA), Phoenix (PHX) |
1997 |
7 |
World Atlantic Airlines |
Miami (MIA), Greensboro (GSO) |
2015 |
8 |
XTRA Airways |
Boise (BOI), Miami (MIA) |
1987 |
9 |
Miami Air Charter |
Miami (MIA) |
1985 |
10 |
JetSuiteX |
Burbank (BUR), Concord (CCR) |
2016 |
11 |
Jet Edge International |
Van Nuys (VNY), Teterboro (TEB) |
2005 |
12 |
Charter Air Transport |
Seattle (BFI) |
1998 |
13 |
National Airlines |
Orlando (SFB), Las Vegas (LAS) |
1985 |
14 |
Eastern Airlines |
Miami (MIA), New York (JFK) |
2010 |
15 |
JSX (formerly JetSuite) |
Burbank (BUR), Las Vegas (LAS) |
2006 |
Cargo Airlines
No. |
Airline |
Primary Hubs |
Founded |
1 |
FedEx Express |
Memphis (MEM), Indianapolis (IND) |
1971 |
2 |
UPS Airlines |
Louisville (SDF), Dallas (DFW) |
1988 |
3 |
Atlas Air |
Miami (MIA), Cincinnati (CVG) |
1992 |
4 |
Kalitta Air |
Cincinnati (CVG), New York (JFK) |
1967 |
5 |
Western Global Airlines |
Miami (MIA), Cincinnati (CVG) |
2013 |
6 |
Polar Air Cargo |
Cincinnati (CVG), New York (JFK) |
1993 |
7 |
ABX Air |
Wilmington (ILN) |
1980 |
8 |
Southern Air |
Miami (MIA), Cincinnati (CVG) |
1999 |
9 |
Amerijet International |
Miami (MIA), Fort Lauderdale (FLL) |
1974 |
10 |
FedEx Feeder |
Memphis (MEM), Indianapolis (IND) |
1985 |
11 |
UPS Airlines (Cargo) |
Louisville (SDF), Dallas (DFW) |
1988 |
12 |
Kalitta Charters |
Detroit (DTW), New York (JFK) |
2001 |
13 |
Empire Airlines |
Hayden (HDN), Cincinnati (CVG) |
1977 |
14 |
Northern Air Cargo |
Anchorage (ANC) |
1956 |
15 |
21 Air |
Greensboro (GSO), Miami (MIA) |
2014 |
Air Ambulance
No. |
Airline |
Primary Hubs |
Founded |
1 |
Air Methods |
Englewood, Colorado (Centennial Airport) |
1980 |
2 |
REACH Air Medical Services |
Santa Rosa, California |
1987 |
3 |
Life Flight Network |
Aurora, Oregon (Aurora State Airport) |
1978 |
4 |
PHI Air Medical |
Lafayette, Louisiana (Lafayette Regional Airport) |
1981 |
5 |
Mercy Air |
El Cajon, California (Gillespie Field) |
1984 |
6 |
Med-Trans Corporation |
Lewisville, Texas (US Army Air Field) |
1980 |
7 |
Native Air |
Mesa, Arizona (Falcon Field Airport) |
1986 |
8 |
Life Flight |
Salt Lake City, Utah (Salt Lake City International Airport) |
1978 |
9 |
Guardian Flight |
Anchorage, Alaska (Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport) |
1995 |
10 |
AirMed International |
Birmingham, Alabama (Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport) |
1987 |
11 |
HALO-Flight |
Corpus Christi, Texas (Corpus Christi International Airport) |
1987 |
12 |
CareFlight |
Dayton, Ohio (Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport) |
1983 |
13 |
Angel MedFlight |
Scottsdale, Arizona (Scottsdale Airport) |
2007 |
14 |
LifeNet |
St. Louis, Missouri (Spirit of St. Louis Airport) |
1980 |
15 |
Air Ambulance Worldwide |
Tampa, Florida (Tampa International Airport) |
2004 |
State Run Airlines
Airline |
ICAO |
Callsign |
Primary hubs |
Founded |
Notes |
Comco |
|
|
|
2002 |
|
Janet |
JANET |
|
Las Vegas |
1972 |
|
Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System |
JUD |
JUSTICE |
Oklahoma City |
1980 |
Commenced operations in 1995. |
Importance of Airlines in the U.S.
Air travel plays a pivotal role in the United States, contributing significantly to the nation’s economic growth, connectivity, and tourism. The vast geographical expanse of the country makes air transportation an essential means of connecting people, goods, and businesses. Airlines serve as the lifeline for domestic and international travel, fostering economic development and facilitating cultural exchanges.
The importance of airlines in the U.S. is underscored by the fact that they contribute billions of dollars to the national economy. Airlines not only provide direct employment but also stimulate economic activity in related sectors, including tourism, hospitality, and transportation. Additionally, air travel is a catalyst for business expansion, as it enables companies to operate efficiently on a national and global scale.
The accessibility and convenience offered by airlines are particularly crucial in a country as expansive as the United States. Airports function as major hubs, connecting cities and regions that might otherwise be challenging to reach through other modes of transportation. This connectivity fosters economic development, facilitates trade, and enhances the overall quality of life for residents.
Types of Airlines in the U.S.
The U.S. airline industry is characterized by a diverse range of carriers, each serving specific market segments and catering to distinct traveler preferences. Broadly, U.S. airlines can be categorized into the following types:
Legacy Carriers: These are established airlines with long histories and extensive route networks. They typically offer a comprehensive range of services, including first-class, business class, and economy seating. Legacy carriers often have a global presence and are known for their reliability and diverse in-flight amenities.
Low-Cost Carriers: Known for their no-frills approach, low-cost carriers focus on providing affordable air travel options. These airlines often adopt a point-to-point model, operating on a simplified business model to offer budget-friendly fares. Low-cost carriers may charge additional fees for amenities such as seat selection and checked baggage.
Regional Carriers: Specializing in serving specific regions, regional carriers operate shorter flights, connecting smaller airports to major hubs. They often partner with larger airlines to feed passengers into their networks. Regional carriers play a crucial role in providing connectivity to underserved communities.
Ultra-Low-Cost Carriers (ULCC): These carriers take the low-cost model to the extreme, offering extremely affordable fares while charging additional fees for various services. Ultra-low-cost carriers prioritize efficiency and cost savings, appealing to budget-conscious travelers.
Cargo Airlines: While not passenger-focused, cargo airlines are vital for transporting goods and freight across the country and internationally. These carriers play a crucial role in supporting e-commerce, trade, and the movement of goods.
Conclusion
In conclusion, U.S. airlines play a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s transportation landscape, providing essential connectivity and contributing significantly to economic growth. The diversity of airline types, from legacy carriers with extensive histories to nimble low-cost carriers, offers travelers a wide array of options to suit their preferences and budget. Understanding the distinctions between these airlines allows passengers to make informed choices, enhancing their overall air travel experience and contributing to the continued growth and evolution of the U.S. aviation industry.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on U.S. Airlines
What are the major types of airlines in the United States?
The U.S. aviation industry features various types of airlines, including legacy carriers, low-cost carriers, regional carriers, ultra-low-cost carriers, and charter/leisure carriers. Each type serves different market segments, offering diverse options for travelers.
How do legacy carriers differ from low-cost carriers in the U.S.?
Legacy carriers, such as American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, have long histories, extensive route networks, and often provide premium services. In contrast, low-cost carriers like Southwest and JetBlue focus on affordability, with a no-frills approach and simplified operations.
Which U.S. airlines are known for their regional services?
Regional carriers like SkyWest Airlines, Mesa Airlines, and Republic Airways operate shorter flights, connecting smaller airports to major hubs. They play a crucial role in providing essential air services to communities that might be underserved by larger airlines.
What is the significance of ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCC) in the U.S. aviation landscape?
Ultra-low-cost carriers, such as Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air, are known for offering extremely affordable fares with a focus on minimal amenities. Their cost-efficient models appeal to budget-conscious travelers, contributing to increased competition and lower overall airfares.
Are there any new entrants in the U.S. airline industry, and how are they shaping air travel?
Breeze Airways is a relatively new entrant, founded in 2020, and focuses on serving underserved markets. JSX, formerly JetSuiteX, operates as a semi-private carrier, offering a unique blend of private and commercial air travel. These newcomers contribute to innovation and increased options for travelers.
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