| Airline: | Eastern Air Express |
| Iata: | - |
| Icao: | BBQ |
| Callsign: | EASTERN EXPRESS |
| Founded: | 2013 (as ATX Air Services) |
| Commenced: | July 2017 (as Hillwood Airways) November 13, 2023 (as Eastern Air Express) |
| Aoc: | 4TXA995N |
| Bases: | Kansas City |
| Fleet Size: | 32 |
| Headquarters: | Kansas City, Missouri |
| Key People: |
Eastern Air Express (formerly Hillwood Airways and ATX Air Services)[1] [2] is an American charter airline headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas and based at Fort Worth Alliance Airport. It was formerly a subsidiary of The Perot Group, which is controlled by Ross Perot, Jr.
The airline was initially founded in 2013 as ATX Air Services and operated under a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 125 certificate, limiting the airline to only flying under long-term agreements with a few clients.[1]
ATX Air Services rebranded as Hillwood Airways in 2016,[2] received its FAA Part 121 Air Carrier Certification on July 24, 2017, and subsequently started charter operations.[3]
The airline commenced operations with a single Boeing 737-700C BBJ and currently offers it for charter in four configurations: 36 first-class seats with two conference tables, 60 first-class seats, 90 premium economy seats or as a full freighter. It is one of only a few Boeing 737 BBJs fitted with a full-size main-deck cargo door.[4]
Between 2019 and 2021 the airline took delivery of three regular Boeing 737-700s that were originally delivered to Airtran Airways and ConocoPhillips Alaska.[5] The three regulars 737-700s are available for charter in all-passenger configurations ranging from 60 first class to 100 premium economy seats.[4]
One of the airline's Boeing 737-700s was involved in the 2021 Kabul airlift.[6]
In May 2023, Eastern Air Holdings, owner of Eastern Airlines, announced its plans to acquire Hillwood Airways.[7] The airline was officially purchased on August 15, 2023, and continues to operate under its existing brand. The company announced on November 13, 2023 its rebrand as Eastern Air Express.[8]
In February 2024, Eastern Air Holdings selected Kansas City, Missouri as its new headquarters.[9]
In April 2024, Eastern Air Holdings acquired the aircraft and other assets of iAero Airways.[10]
The Eastern Air Express fleet includes the following aircraft (as of April 2024):[4] [11]
| Aircraft | In service | Orders | Passengers | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | Y | Total | |||||
| Boeing 737-300 | - | 8 | - | 148 | 148 | ||
| Boeing 737-300BDSF | - | 1 | Cargo | ||||
| Boeing 737-400 | - | 18 | 12 | 138 | 150 | ||
| Boeing 737-700 | 3 | - | VIP | Passenger seat count varies depending on the specific aircraft and its configuration. | |||
| Boeing 737-800 | 1[12] | 1 | - | 189 | 189 | ||
| Total | 4 | 28 | |||||
Eastern Air Express formerly operated the following aircraft:[11]