Airlines of North America
The airline industry is in a constant state of flux. In 2005, Trans Meridian Airlines quit doing business while EOS Airlines and Maxjet Airways took to the skies. By early 2006, Independence Air quit flying and Virgin America announced that they were seeking U.S. government approval in hopes of taking their first flight. Beyond the U.S. borders, the Mexican airline industry is in the process of being revolutionized as the Mexican government divests itself of interest in two leading carriers. With this particular decision a handful of new carriers are set to take off south of the U.S. border. To keep track of the all the changes involves a ton of work, but I’ve done the hard work for you. The following list contains all of the current airlines serving the Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Stay tuned…more air carriers are certain to follow while some existing carriers may call it quits!
How many names do you recognize? Some carriers are strictly charter operators while others fly regionally. Still others are very small operators of Cessna aircraft, not what you might consider “airline” aircraft, but in the eyes of the Federal Aviation Administration they are:
• Aeromexico
• Air Canada
• Air Labrador
• Air Transat
• AirTran Airways
• Alaska Airlines
• Allegiant Air
• Aloha Airlines
• American Airlines
• ATA
• Avolar Aerolíneas
• Big Sky Airlines
• Cape Air
• Chautauqua Airlines
• Continental Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• EOS Airlines
• Frontier Airlines
• Gulfstream Int’l Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• Maxjet Airways
• Mesa Air Group
• Mexicana Airlines
• Miami Air Int’l
• Midwest Airlines
• North American Airlines
• Northwest Airlines
• Pace Airlines
• Pen Air
• Primaris Airlines
• Ryan Int’l Airlines
• Shuttle America
• Simmons Air
• Song
• Southwest Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• Sun Country Airlines
• Ted
• United Airlines
• USA 3000 Airlines
• USAirways
• WestJet Airlines
• World Airways
To keep the list simple, cargo carriers were omitted. Otherwise, operators such as UPS, Kalitta Air, and Emery would have been included.
Contact the carriers directly to find out what schedules they are keeping and airfare information. Perhaps you’ll find a “bargain” in the crowd and be able to try out an all new carrier.
Additional Start Up Airlines Are Looming
Several months ago, in a related article, I made mention of two start up air carriers for the US market. Since then, both EOS Airlines and Maxjet Airways have taken flight and are successfully serving their passengers and making plans for future expansion. Beyond these two carriers, additional carriers are waiting to take their first flights. Let’s take a look at some leading contenders.
Fly First Class — This Florida based air carrier is planning to use Wilmington, NC as its base. With flights to Bermuda and London planned, the airline — true to its name — will offer only one level of service, first class. Expected first flight is sometime during the second quarter of 2006.
Primaris Airlines — Already FAA approved and the owner of a single Boeing 757 aircraft which they currently are leasing to another carrier, Primaris placed an order in January 2005 for Boeing’s new Dreamliner aircraft, also known as the 787. Before the first of these particular aircraft arrive in 2008, Primaris reportedly will be leasing three additional 757 aircraft and begin scheduled service between New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco by the middle of 2006.
Virgin America — Pending government approval, Virgin America will fly upwards of 105 Airbus aircraft. Based in San Francisco, the Richard Branson inspired airline must overcome some hurdles first including convincing the US government that the airline is, indeed, mostly US owned.
Other start up carriers which are also being watched include: Blackstar Airlines, USA Jet Airlines, and Baltia Air Lines. All start ups must secure key funding, receive various federal and local governmental approvals, organize a management team, and commence hiring well before the first flight is made. It is this particular process that shakes out all the pretenders leaving behind carriers committed to making a go of it.
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