List of US airlines 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.

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.