• American Airlines Tile
    American Airlines
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    AA/AAL
    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier
    Hub(s):
    Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Miami International Airport, New York JFK Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
    Year Founded:
    1926
    Alliance:
    oneworld
    CEO:
    Robert Isom
    Country:
    United States
    Airline Group:
    American Airlines Group
    Region:
    North America
    Loyalty Program:
    AAdvantage

Yesterday, American Airlines announced that Air Wisconsin is joining the American Eagle family. Air Wisconsin’s fleet will start operating for American Eagle no later than March of next year.

American Airlines expands regional operations

Air Wisconsin has operated explicitly as United Express since 2018, but that will change no later than March 2023. Recent months have seen many headlines about a regional pilot shortage in the United States, and American Airlines (American) “has been – and will continue to be – aggressive in leading the industry in tackling this challenge…” In a letter to American’s staff, chief financial officer Derek Kerr said that American would be strengthening its network with the addition of Air Wisconsin Airlines to the American Eagle portfolio of regional partners. Air Wisconsin’s fleet of up to 60 Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft will concentrate on flights connecting customers to American’s hub at the Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

American Eagle Embraer E175 taxiing at DCA
Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying

Operations on Air Wisconsin’s fleet are expected to commence by March 2023, and tickets for Air Wisconsin-operated flights will go on sale in the coming months. Closing out his memo to the American Airlines staff, Kerr said

“Our wholly owned and partner regional carriers strengthen our network by providing safe, reliable and convenient service from small- and medium-size communities to our hubs. They supply the right equipment to meet customer demand across all cities in our network. Air Wisconsin and its 1,100 team members will be a fantastic addition to the American Eagle family.”

Find more aviation news here!

CRJ200

The CRJ200 is one of the smallest regional jets in operation by regional airlines in the United States. The aircraft seats 50 passengers and has been phased out by many airlines, as have other 50-seat jets. The CRJ200 is configured in a 2-2 configuration and does not have first class. One of its competitors, Embraer’s ERJ145, is also a 50-seat aircraft but configured in a 1-2 configuration. The CRJ200 is an aircraft I do not enjoy flying in due to its tight spaces. American Eagle also operates other variants of Bombardier’s CRJ aircraft, the -700 and -900. Both aircraft usually have a first class cabin, offering more space to those who desire it and are willing to pay.

SkyWest Bombardier CRJ200 at SLC
Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying

Regional airlines in the U.S.

Perhaps the most significant milestone in Air Wisconsin history was pioneering code-sharing, a concept most people who have flown internationally have enjoyed. This was a brilliant business move by Air Wisconsin because its flights were marketed by United Airlines, increasing the number of passengers it served. Today, four United States mainline airlines have regional operations under their names, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. Under each mainline are several companies, which fly as American Eagle, Delta Connection, United Express, and Alaska Airlines. Piedmont Airlines, PSA Airlines, Envoy Air, Mesa Airlines, Republic Airways, and SkyWest Airlines all operate as American Eagle, the first three are wholly owned subsidiaries of American. Mesa, SkyWest, AirWisconsin, GoJet, Republic, and Commutair operate as United Express. Delta Connection flights are operated by wholly owned Endeavor Air and contractors SkyWest and Republic. Horizon Air operates as Alaska Airlines.

Have you flown on any of the regional airlines in the United States? Which one and who were they operating for?