US Airways Express explained

Airline:US Airways Express
Founded:
Commenced:
Ceased:
Frequent Flyer:Dividend Miles

US Airways Express was the brand name for the regional affiliate of US Airways, under which a number of individually owned commuter air carriers and regional airlines operate short and medium haul routes. This code sharing service was previously operated as USAir Express. Mainline carriers often outsource to regional airlines to operate services in order to increase frequency, serve routes that would not sustain larger aircraft, or for other competitive reasons. US Airways Express operations were conducted from smaller markets in the United States, Canada, and the Bahamas primarily centered on US Airways' major hubs and focus cities.

Upon the completion of US Airways' merger process with American Airlines, US Airways Express was rebranded as American Eagle on October 17, 2015.[1]

History

US Airways Express traced its beginnings to 1967, when Henson Airlines began operating as Allegheny Commuter, a feeder carrier for Allegheny Airlines, predecessor to US Airways. The initial route was Baltimore-Hagerstown.[2] This is generally credited as the industry's first codeshare agreement and the first major airline to use another airline as its commuter partner.[3]

Throughout the 1970s, many other commuter airlines would join the Allegheny Commuter system providing feeder service from small communities for Allegheny Airlines. Allegheny Airlines was changed to USAir in 1979 however the feeder network still carried the name of Allegheny Commuter until 1989 when it was changed to USAir Express. In 1997 USAir changed its name again to US Airways at which time the feeder network became US Airways Express.

Two major carriers that merged into USAir in the late 1980s, Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) and Piedmont Airlines (1948-1989) had their corporate names retained to protect their trademarks. Henson Airlines later took on the name Piedmont Airlines and another USAir Express carrier, Jetstream International took on the name of PSA Airlines. The aircraft and other characteristics of the rebranded regional carriers bear no relation to their namesakes however many of the routes of Piedmont Airlines are former routes of the original Piedmont Airlines.

The aircraft livery of US Airways Express aircraft was identical to US Airways' mainline colors except for the word Express, which is attached to the basic US Airways livery.

In April 2013, an internal memo distributed to American Eagle employees at American Airlines Group's subsidiaries: (OW) Executive Airlines and American Eagle; indicated the US Airways Express banner and marketing brand, were expected to be discontinued although the remaining and independently operating airline subsidiaries, were expected to continue but operated with American Eagle branded colors.[4]

Operators and fleet

Fleet

US Airways Express fleet
AirlineIATA ServiceICAO CodeCallsignAircraftIn fleetPassengersParent
FYTotal
Air WisconsinZWAWIWisconsinBombardier CRJ200675050CJT Holdings
Mesa AirlinesYVASHAir ShuttleBombardier CRJ9004797079Mesa Air Group
676
Piedmont AirlinesPTPDTPiedmontDash 8-100303737US Airways Group
Dash 8-300115050
PSA AirlinesOHJIABlue StreakBombardier CRJ200355050
Bombardier CRJ7001495867
Republic AirwaysYXRPABrickyardEmbraer 1701796069Republic Airways Holdings
Embraer 1753887280
SkyWest AirlinesOOSKWSkyWestBombardier CRJ200125050SkyWest, Inc.
Bombardier CRJ900467076
Trans States AirlinesAXLOFWaterskiEmbraer ERJ 14515050Trans States Holdings
Total276

Historical regional jet fleet

The US Airways Express brand, through its various regional and commuter airline partners, operated a variety of twinges aircraft over the years including the following types:

Historical turboprop fleet

The US Airways Express brand, through its various regional and commuter airline partners, operated a variety of twin turboprop aircraft over the years including the following types:

Accidents and incidents

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: American to retire US Airways brand on Oct. 17.
  2. Web site: Aviation museum gives a glimpse of the WWII way of life for many. The Record Herald. 26 May 2010.
  3. Web site: History of People Express. Century of Flight. 26 May 2010.
  4. http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2013/04/american-eagle-to-employees-be-patient.html/ American Eagle to employees: Be patient | Airline Biz Blog
  5. http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19920103-0 ASN Aircraft accident Beechcraft 1900C-1 N55000 Saranac Lake-Adirondack Airport, NY (SLK)
  6. Web site: NTSB- Air Midwest Flight 5481. NTSB. 25 May 2010.
  7. Web site: Ranter . Harro . ASN Aircraft accident Beechcraft 1900D N240CJ Hyannis, MA . 2022-03-08 . aviation-safety.net.
  8. News: Pilot error prompts evacuation of U.S. Capitol building. Sarah Brumfield. January 1, 2011. thestar.com. 2011-02-10. Toronto.
  9. News: Jets Scrambled Over Capitol Hill Airspace Scare. Mary Compton. January 1, 2011. ABC News. 2011-02-10.
  10. Web site: Plane makes belly landing at Newark Airport, no injuries reported. NBC News. May 18, 2013. May 20, 2013.