Via Air is a small regional airline in the United States. If you've never heard of them, it is probably because they only operate a few routes to smaller cities with regional jets like the ERJ-145s. They previously had a hub in Austin, Texas.

Via Air's last route

If this is the first time you've ever heard of Via Air, then the first thing you'll learn about them is that it's unlikely you'll get to fly with them. Most Americans live out of reach of Via Air's network. In addition, they're running out of routes. Gary at View from the Wing reports that Via Air only has one route left.

According to Gary's reporting, Via Air has, essentially, ceased operations due to a pilot shortage and, for some odd reason, cited increased oversight by the FAA in the wake of the Boeing 737 MAX crisis. Apart from the fact that Via Air doesn't even fly 737 MAX aircraft, it is likely that passengers would prefer the FAA did their job thoroughly instead of haphazardly.

The 737 MAX is currently grounded worldwide. Photo: Boeing

Via Air's former routes

Via Air operated two real "hubs" at Austin Bergstrom Airport and Orlando's lesser-known Sanford airport. Austin was the larger of these hubs. From Austin, Via operated a few different routes to cities across the southeastern United States. Most of these routes were focused on point-to-point travel since Via Air doesn't have any major partners and is not part of an alliance.

Via Air Routes from Austin
Via Air operated the following routes out of Austin. Rendering courtesy of Great Circle Mapper.

The second hub Via Air operated was much smaller.

Via Air routes from Orlando
ViaAir operated only a few routes out of Orlando. Rendering courtesy of Great Circle Mapper

You might notice that there's really no opportunity for connections on Via Air unless you want to go between two very specific secondary cities. In fact, Via Air didn't even operate a route between Austin and Orlando.

Via Air's eventual end

The City of Austin announced on May 24th, 2019 that it was ending its relationship with Via Air. That is, Via Air is no longer allowed to operate to Austin. The reason given was that Via Air breached the terms of the contract they had with the airport and the city.

However, this was just a continuation of Via's struggles. Via Air then ceased operations out of Pittsburgh according to the Pittsburgh Gazette. As people do ghost people, Via Air apparently ghosted Mobile's Downtown Airport according to this report by FOX10 News in Mobile.

In fact, local news outlets, such as WLBT in Jackson Mississippi, are reporting that Via Air has ghosted its passengers too by leaving them stranded with no way out. For passengers, this is one big unfortunate event. Previously, the View from the Wing also reported that Via Air was the worst airline in the United States. It seems like Via Air has a pattern of low customer satisfaction ratings.

Overall

In all likelihood, it seems like Via Air isn't going to be around much longer. They don't seem to have any sort of staff support anymore. Furthermore, their bookings are only open for one route. Running an airline off one route is a risky idea that is likely to fail.

If you're thinking of booking with Via Air, it probably is a good idea to find another option.

Have you flown with Via Air? Are you affected by Via Air's service cancellations? Let us know in the comments!