You've just typed a seemingly simple question into your search bar: "How many American Airlines are there?" But hold on a second! This question is more nuanced than you might think, and its answer reveals the fascinating complexities of the aviation industry. Are you asking about the company American Airlines, or are you wondering about the total number of airlines operating in the United States that are considered "American"?
Let's embark on a journey to unravel this question and gain a comprehensive understanding of the American airline landscape.
Unpacking the Question: "How Many American Airlines Are There?"
Before we dive deep, let's clarify what we're looking for. There are two main interpretations of your question:
The specific entity "American Airlines": This refers to the single, large airline company known as American Airlines, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.
Airlines that are "American" (i.e., based in the United States): This encompasses all airlines, big and small, that operate within or from the United States.
We'll explore both aspects to give you a complete picture.
Step 1: Discovering the Flagship - American Airlines (The Company)
Let's start with the most obvious interpretation. You're likely thinking of the airline with the distinctive eagle logo.
Yes, there is ONE primary American Airlines company. This is American Airlines Group Inc., a major global airline. It was formed on December 9, 2013, through the merger of AMR Corporation (the original American Airlines) and US Airways Group Inc. This merger created the largest airline in the world by some metrics at the time.
Sub-heading: Beyond the Mainline - American Eagle and Regional Partners
It's crucial to understand that American Airlines doesn't operate all its flights under the main "American Airlines" brand. To extend its reach and serve smaller markets, American Airlines utilizes a network of regional carriers under the "American Eagle" brand.
Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries: American Airlines Group Inc. has three wholly-owned regional subsidiaries that operate flights under the American Eagle brand:
Envoy Air Inc.: This is a significant regional carrier providing flight and ground handling services for American.
Piedmont Airlines Inc.: Another key regional arm of American.
PSA Airlines Inc.: Completing the trio of directly owned regional airlines.
Contracted Carriers: In addition to its wholly-owned subsidiaries, American Airlines also partners with other independent regional carriers that operate flights for them under the American Eagle codeshare and service agreement. These include:
Republic Airways
SkyWest Airlines
So, while there's one American Airlines company, its operations are significantly expanded through these regional partners, both owned and contracted, all flying under the American Eagle banner. This allows American to offer thousands of flights daily to a vast network of destinations across the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, and Mexico.
Step 2: Exploring the Broader Landscape - How Many Airlines are "American" (U.S.-Based)?
Now, let's broaden our scope. If you're asking about the total number of airlines based in the United States, the answer becomes much more extensive and depends on how you categorize them. The U.S. aviation market is one of the largest and most dynamic in the world.
No Single Definitive Number: It's challenging to provide an exact, static number for all U.S.-based airlines because the list includes major carriers, regional airlines, cargo airlines, charter operators, and smaller, specialized air services. The number can also fluctuate as new airlines emerge, old ones merge, or cease operations.
Sub-heading: The "Big Three" Legacy Carriers
When people talk about major U.S. airlines, they often refer to the "Big Three" legacy carriers, which have extensive domestic and international networks:
American Airlines (as discussed above)
Delta Air Lines
United Airlines
These three airlines dominate a significant portion of the U.S. and global aviation market, offering comprehensive services and connecting travelers to destinations worldwide.
Sub-heading: Other Major U.S. Airlines
Beyond the "Big Three," several other large and significant U.S. airlines operate extensive networks, primarily focusing on domestic flights but often with some international destinations:
Southwest Airlines: Known for its low-cost model and point-to-point service, it's one of the largest carriers by passengers carried.
Alaska Airlines: A major player, particularly on the West Coast, with a growing network.
JetBlue Airways: A popular low-cost carrier with a strong presence on the East Coast and Caribbean routes.
Spirit Airlines: A prominent ultra-low-cost carrier.
Frontier Airlines: Another significant ultra-low-cost carrier.
Allegiant Air: Focuses on leisure travelers, offering flights to smaller, underserved markets.
Hawaiian Airlines: Specializes in flights to and from Hawaii, as well as inter-island travel.
Sun Country Airlines: A hybrid leisure and cargo airline.
Avelo Airlines: A relatively new ultra-low-cost carrier.
Breeze Airways: Another newer airline aiming to connect smaller, underserved cities.
Sub-heading: Regional Airlines (Beyond American Eagle)
As we saw with American Airlines, regional airlines play a crucial role in connecting smaller communities to major hubs. Many regional airlines operate under codeshare agreements with the larger mainline carriers (e.g., Delta Connection, United Express), even if they are not wholly owned subsidiaries. Examples include:
SkyWest Airlines: (Also partners with American) Operates for multiple major carriers.
Envoy Air, Piedmont Airlines, PSA Airlines: (As discussed, these are American's wholly-owned regional subsidiaries).
Endeavor Air: Operates as Delta Connection.
CommuteAir: Operates as United Express.
Air Wisconsin: Often operates as United Express.
Republic Airways: (Also partners with American) Operates for multiple major carriers.
Cape Air: A smaller regional airline serving specific niche markets.
Contour Airlines: Another smaller regional airline.
Sub-heading: Cargo and Charter Airlines
It's also important to remember that the U.S. aviation landscape includes a robust sector of cargo airlines (like FedEx Express, UPS Airlines, Atlas Air, Kalitta Air) and various charter and specialized aviation companies that don't operate scheduled passenger services but are vital components of the American airline industry.
Step 3: Understanding the Regulatory Landscape and Data
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are key regulatory bodies that oversee and track airlines. The DOT classifies U.S.-based airlines based on their annual operating revenue:
Major Carriers (Group III): Airlines with annual revenue exceeding $1 billion. This group includes the "Big Three" and the other major airlines listed above.
National Carriers (Group II): Airlines with annual revenue between $100 million and $1 billion.
Regional Carriers (Group I): Airlines with annual revenue less than $100 million.
The number of airlines within each group can vary over time. For example, recent data indicates around 80-85 airlines with scheduled service in the U.S., but this number can be further broken down and interpreted depending on the specific criteria.
In Conclusion: A Dynamic Ecosystem
So, to recap:
There is one main American Airlines company (American Airlines Group Inc.), which is a global powerhouse.
This company operates its flights and extends its network through its three wholly-owned regional subsidiaries (Envoy Air, Piedmont Airlines, PSA Airlines) and additional contracted regional partners (like Republic Airways and SkyWest Airlines) under the American Eagle brand.
When considering all "American" (U.S.-based) airlines, the number is far greater, encompassing the major legacy carriers, other significant passenger airlines, numerous regional carriers (both independent and those operating for larger airlines), and a range of cargo and specialized air service providers. The exact total fluctuates, but it's well over a dozen major passenger airlines and dozens more regional, cargo, and charter operators.
The American airline industry is a complex and interconnected ecosystem, constantly evolving to meet the demands of travelers and cargo transport.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 related FAQ questions with quick answers to further enhance your understanding of American airlines:
How to identify a regional American Eagle flight?
Regional American Eagle flights are typically operated by smaller aircraft (e.g., Embraer or Bombardier regional jets) and the operating carrier (Envoy Air, Piedmont Airlines, PSA Airlines, Republic Airways, or SkyWest Airlines) is usually indicated during booking and on your boarding pass.
How to differentiate between a "mainline" and "regional" flight?
A "mainline" flight is operated directly by the primary airline (e.g., American Airlines, Delta Air Lines) using their larger aircraft. A "regional" flight is operated by a smaller, often affiliated, regional airline under a codeshare agreement, usually using smaller aircraft.
How to find a list of all U.S.-based airlines?
Official government sources like the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provide data and lists of certificated airlines. Wikipedia also maintains a regularly updated list of airlines of the United States.
How to understand the "Big Three" U.S. airlines?
The "Big Three" refer to American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, which are the largest legacy carriers in the U.S. with extensive domestic and international networks and numerous hubs.
How to know which regional airlines partner with American Airlines?
American Airlines officially lists its wholly-owned subsidiaries (Envoy Air, Piedmont Airlines, PSA Airlines) and key contracted partners (Republic Airways, SkyWest Airlines) that operate under the American Eagle brand on its website.
How to determine the largest airline in the U.S. by passengers carried?
While it can fluctuate, American Airlines often tops the list for the highest number of passengers carried, though Delta and Southwest are also consistently among the top contenders.
How to tell if an airline is a "low-cost" carrier?
Low-cost carriers often focus on offering lower base fares and may charge extra for services like checked bags, seat selection, and in-flight amenities. Examples in the U.S. include Southwest, Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant, Avelo, and Breeze.
How to find out an airline's primary hubs?
Most airlines publicly list their main hubs on their "About Us" or "Network" pages on their websites. For American Airlines, key hubs include Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte, Chicago-O'Hare, Miami, Los Angeles, New York (JFK and LaGuardia), Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Washington D.C.
How to check an airline's operational performance (e.g., on-time arrivals)?
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) publishes monthly air travel consumer reports that include data on airline on-time performance, cancellations, and baggage handling.
How to learn about the history of American Airlines?
The history of American Airlines is rich, tracing back to the 1920s and involving numerous mergers and acquisitions, most notably the 2013 merger with US Airways. You can find detailed historical information on American Airlines' official website and aviation history resources.
