American Eagle: More Than Just a Brand Name
In the complex landscape of American air travel, American Eagle stands out as a prominent regional brand operated by American Airlines. Despite its visibility, the intricacies of its operations and its relationship with various carriers under the ‘operated by’ tag can be somewhat perplexing. American Eagle is not an airline, but a brand name used by American Airlines to market a range of regional flights operated by different carriers.
This brand represents a network of several regional carriers—some owned by American Airlines Group, and others independent contractors. The total fleet under the American Eagle brand exceeds 600 aircraft, making it a major player in regional aviation across North America with over 3,000 daily flights connecting hundreds of destinations.
The American Airlines Owned Subsidiaries
Three regional carriers are entirely owned by American Airlines Group: PSA Airlines, Envoy Air, and Piedmont Airlines. These airlines have been integrated into the American Airlines framework through historical mergers and acquisitions, playing critical roles in the American Eagle network.
Detailed Insights into American Airlines Owned Subsidiaries
- PSA Airlines: Originating in 1979 as Vee Neal Airlines, PSA Airlines transformed significantly post-deregulation. It now operates a fleet solely composed of Bombardier regional jets, including CRJ-700 and CRJ-900 models. PSA Airlines serves nearly 100 destinations across the United States, with major crew bases including Charlotte, Philadelphia, Reagan National, and Dallas Fort Worth.
- Piedmont Airlines: Established in 1961, Piedmont Airlines pioneered early codesharing arrangements and became a wholly-owned subsidiary following its acquisition by USAir, which later became American Airlines. It operates primarily Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft to over 55 destinations, maintaining a strong presence at several exclusive regional airports.
- Envoy Air: Created following the airline deregulation to operate regional flights under the American Eagle brand, Envoy Air has grown to embody the essence of regional connectivity for American Airlines. With a fleet predominantly comprising Embraer ERJ-170/175 aircraft, Envoy Air serves as a cornerstone of the American Eagle service, operating from hubs such as Dallas/Fort Worth.
Contractor Airlines under American Eagle
Beyond its owned subsidiaries, American Airlines contracts other carriers to operate under the American Eagle brand. These include SkyWest Airlines, Republic Airways, and Air Wisconsin, each bringing unique strengths and capacities to the American Eagle network.
- SkyWest Airlines: Founded in 1972, SkyWest Airlines boasts the largest fleet among American Eagle contractors, with over 500 aircraft including models from Bombardier and Embraer. It operates significant portions of its fleet for American Eagle, alongside other major service contracts with airlines like Delta and United.
- Republic Airways: Starting operations in 1998, Republic Airways plays a vital role in the American Eagle brand, operating a fleet of over 200 Embraer aircraft and providing extensive regional service across the United States and Canada.
- Air Wisconsin: As a smaller contractor, Air Wisconsin contributes to the American Eagle brand through its fleet of Bombardier CRJ-200s, though it plans to transition away from American Eagle operations by 2025 to focus on independent and charter services.
Understanding the structure and operation of American Eagle helps passengers appreciate the scale and complexity of regional air travel within the American Airlines network, highlighting the critical role these carriers play in connecting diverse destinations across North America.