Trans States Airlines has moved up its closure date to April 1, 2020 due to the expanding coronavirus.
The company told its employees it was shutting down sooner due to “unforeseen impact of the coronavirus.”
GoJet Airlines continues to operate.
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Trans States Airlines to wind down operations by the end of the year
Trans States Airlines Home
Trans States Airlines management has told its employees it wind down and will cease all operations on December 31, 2020. The carrier which operates for United Airlines as an United Express carrier will slowly wind down its operations.
Read more from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The holding company, Trans States Holdings, also operates Compass Airlines and GoJet Airlines.
Trans States Airlines began as Resort Air in 1982. It operated just a handful of Metro II aircraft and carried just under 7,000 passengers during its first year of operation—tourists, primarily, between its headquarters in St. Louis and a popular lake two hours south of the city (hence the call sign “Waterski,” which Trans States still uses to this day).
However, things have changed a great deal since 1982. Since that time, Resort Air has evolved from a small boutique carrier into Trans States Airlines.
Trans States serves over 4.5 million passengers a year, with approximately 237 daily flights providing service to over 70 cities in North America. Trans States operates the Embraer 145 on behalf of American Airlines (as American Eagle) and United Airlines (as United Express). Headquartered in St. Louis, Trans States has crew domiciles in Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), St. Louis (STL), Raleigh- Durham (RDU), and Washington D.C. (IAD).
Route Map:
Trans States Airlines-United Express aircraft photo gallery:
Trans States Airlines and Frontier Airlines announce flow program for aircraft maintenance technicians
Trans States Airlines made this announcement:
Aircraft Maintenance Technicians (AMTs) at Trans States Airlines now have a defined pathway to a guaranteed job at Frontier Airlines. A new program launched by the two airlines guarantees AMTs at Trans States an AMT position at Frontier after as little as three years of service with Trans States.
AMTs, who are also known as Aircraft Mechanics, are critical to an airline’s safety and performance. This program comes amid an industry-wide shortage of qualified AMTs, with not enough new AMTs entering the field to meet increased demand and replace forecasted retirements.
While the nationwide pilot shortage gave rise to numerous programs for regional airline pilots that facilitate the transition to major airlines, this program is the first of its kind for Aircraft Maintenance Technicians.
“While the pilot shortage may get the most press, the AMT shortage is real and it is here,” said Brian Randow, Chief Operating Officer at Trans States Airlines. “In this competitive hiring environment, we must find ways to attract talented AMTs to our airline. A guaranteed job with a top airline like Frontier is a tremendous incentive to join our team, and it’s something that no other airline can offer.”
“As an industry, we must continue to find creative opportunities to meet current demand, but also ensure that the next generation of aviators is stronger and more robust than it is today,” added Matt Wright, Director of Maintenance at Trans States. “This program, in conjunction with the Trans States Apprentice program for aspiring AMTs, provides a clear and defined career path from high school to retirement, and will be instrumental in achieving those goals.”
“With the limited number of Aircraft Mechanics currently entering the field, this new program, the first in the industry, will allow us to hire experienced AMT’s through a more streamlined process. As we [Frontier Airlines] continue to grow and expand our network, there’s never been a better time to join Frontier, America’s fastest-growing and Greenest Airline,” said Trevor Stedke, Senior Vice President of Operations for Frontier Airlines.
Other recent Trans States initiatives to attract qualified AMTs include a new program targeted at military aircraft mechanics that funds the costs of civilian licensing requirements, as well as a signing bonus of up to $15,000. Hourly pay for Trans States AMTs is among the highest in the regional airline industry and includes up to $5,000 in annual retention benefits. Trans States was also the first regional airline to launch a paid apprentice program for aspiring AMTs.
Top Copyright Photo: Trans States Airlines Embraer ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N844HK (msn 14500838) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 948219.
Trans States Airlines aircraft slide show:
Trans States N619AE slides off a snowy runway at Chicago O’Hare
Trans States Airlines, operating flight AA 4125 from Greensboro to Chicago (O’Hare) on November 11 with Embraer ERJ 145 N619AE slide off the left side of the runway on landing at ORD. The right main gear collapsed. There were no injuries.
Social media:
Trans States Airlines and Frontier Airlines announce new pilot flow agreement
Trans States Airlines pilots now have a direct pathway to the Frontier Airlines flight deck. An agreement inked by the two airlines guarantees participating Trans States pilots a First Officer position with the Denver-based Airbus operator after as little as two years of service with Trans States.
The agreement comes on the heels of a major order announcement by Frontier in November of 2017, in which it announced its intent to triple the airline’s fleet size over the next 10 years growing the airline’s order book to nearly 200 aircraft.
“Given Frontier’s considerable order book, imminent growth and financial stability, we believe that this new flow program will be immensely popular with our pilots,” remarked Trans States Chief Operating Officer, Fred Oxley. “A guaranteed pathway that allows for quick progression to a major carrier of Frontier’s caliber will be a huge asset to Trans States’ pilot recruiting efforts.”
“Additionally, judging by the popularity of our growing Denver crew base with our crews, we expect Frontier’s significant presence in Denver to be very attractive to our pilot group,” added Lee Stelzner, Chief Pilot at Trans States.
“With forecasted retirements, it’s no secret that the demand for highly qualified pilots will grow over the next several years,” says Frontier Chief Operating Officer Jim Nides. “This new partnership helps address our future pilot staffing needs while providing pilots entering the workforce a certainty for their careers.”
Current Trans States pilots with the requisite time in service will be eligible to apply for this program immediately, while new Trans States pilots may apply as soon as they have completed training.
To learn more about this program, please visit transstates.net or contact a Trans States pilot recruiter at pilothiring@transstates.net.
Trans States Airlines’ pilots approve a three-year contract extension
Trans States Airlines-TSA (St. Louis) has issued this statement:
Trans States Airlines is pleased to announce that its pilot group has passed a Tentative Agreement on a three year contract extension. The Trans States Airlines pilots are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA). The Tentative Agreement, which was unanimously recommended by the ALPA Master Executive Council (MEC) for a rank and file vote, passed with 71% of voting pilots voting in favor of the contract extension. The new contract increases first year pay to $35.81 per flight hour, and includes increases in cost-of-living pay and the pilots’ per diem rate. It also increases the company’s 401(K) contributions and decreases pilots’ health insurance costs.
The new contract will go into effect on October 1, 2015.
Trans States Airlines operates a fleet of Embraer 145 aircraft on behalf of United Airlines (as United Express) and American Airlines (as American Eagle). Trans States is one of the fastest growing regional airlines in the country, with 52 additional Embraer 145 aircraft scheduled for delivery starting in 2015. Trans States expects to serve over 3.6 million passengers in 2015, with approximately 237 daily flights to over 70 cities in North America. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, Trans States has crew domiciles in St. Louis (STL), Chicago (ORD), Washington D.C. (IAD) and Denver (DEN). Trans States will open a fifth crew domicile in Raleigh-Durham (RDU) in 2016.
Copyright Photo: Ken Petersen/AirlinersGallery.com. Formerly operating as an AmericanConnection carrier, Trans States now operates some former Envoy Air Embraer ERJ 145s under the American Eagle brand. Trans States Airlines Embraer ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N835HK (msn 145670), originally with TSA, arrives in Raleigh-Durham (RDU).
American Eagle-Trans States aircraft slide show: 
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Trans States confirms it will operate at least 15 Embraer ERJ 145s for American
Trans States Airlines (St. Louis) has confirmed our previous report that the company will operate at least 15 former Envoy Air Embraer ERJ 145s under the American Eagle brand starting in April 2015 (see update below). The carrier was a former American Connection carrier. The airline issued this statement:
Trans States Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of Trans States Holdings, Inc., has announced that it has finalized an agreement with American Airlines to operate at least 15 Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft under the American Eagle brand. Deliveries are slated to begin in April of 2015 at a rate of two per month until all aircraft are in place.
“We’re thrilled to renew our relationship with American Airlines and are delighted by the current and future opportunities that this growth will provide to our employees,” said Richard Leach, President and Chief Executive Officer of Trans States Airlines. “We look forward to providing American Airlines with the same safe, efficient and quality-focused service that our mainline partners have come to expect.”
“The Embraer 145s are an important part of our regional operation to ensure customers in small- and medium-size markets can access our growing global network from their communities,” said Kenji Hashimoto, senior vice president of regional carriers for American Airlines. “Trans States Airlines has been a solid regional partner of American Airlines and US Airways for many years, as well as a reliable performer with the E145 aircraft.”
Trans States Airlines previously provided regional service for American under the American Connection brand from 2001 to 2009, and has provided regional service for US Airways nearly continuously since 1993. It currently operates a fleet of 29 Embraer 145s and announced earlier this month that it will operate an additional 36 for United starting in February of 2015.
Update: Trans States Airlines will start operating as an American Eagle carrier on March 4, 2015.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Trans States operated as an American Connection carrier from November 2001 through May 2009. Embraer ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N811HK (msn 145256) arrives at Charlotte.
American Airlines Group to move 50 Envoy Air Embraer ERJ 145s to other American Eagle carriers
American Airlines Group (Dallas/Fort Worth) has informed subsidiary Envoy Air (formerly American Eagle Airlines) (Dallas/Fort Worth) that will it transfer 50 Embraer ERJ 145s to Piedmont Airlines (2nd) (Salisbury, MD) and Trans States Airlines (30 aircraft) (St. Louis) starting March 2015. One other carrier that has not been specified will also receive Envoy aircraft. The number of pilots at Envoy has been declining. The pilots of Envoy did not accept the last contract offer from the AAG.
Yesterday Sam Pool, Envoy MEC Chairman, sent the following message to the pilots of Envoy:
November 21, 2014
My Fellow Envoy Pilots –
Today management announced the long-anticipated news that AAG is moving aircraft from Envoy to other carriers. Starting in March 2015, 30 of our Embraer 145 series aircraft will transfer to Trans State Airlines and another express carrier at the rate of 2 aircraft per carrier per month. In 2016, another tranche of aircraft will transfer to Piedmont.
While we are clearly disappointed at the thought of losing four aircraft per month, and the 10 pilot jobs each aircraft represents, the harsh fact is that Envoy is currently losing pilots at an even faster rate as our colleagues seek more rewarding careers elsewhere.
We are beyond disappointed that the sacrifice of economic and operational flexibility that this workgroup provided to our parent corporation during the darkest hours of bankruptcy are now considered insufficient and we again find ourselves facing the demands of concessions in exchange for a viable future.
That said, our disappointment should not cloud the reality that we face today. Our reality is that other pilot groups in our segment of the industry have demonstrated their willingness to accept concessions in exchange for new and larger aircraft, and have subsequently agreed to reduce the pilot costs. If we wish to compete in this market, we simply have no choice but to recognize that reality and decide a course of action.
While it is true that AAG is honoring our bankruptcy contract, the unpleasant fact is that they believe that they can obtain lower cost regional flying from other carriers, and have demonstrated that they will award new aircraft and new flying to those other carriers, leaving our contract and our pilots in an awkward status quo.
AAG’s senior management has made it clear that they desire the new aircraft be flown by the pilots of Envoy. And they have also made it clear that they believe we should cost less. For these reasons, they have remained quietly engaged with your MEC in an attempt to effectuate a mutually acceptable agreement that gently nudges our forward looking economics closer to the perceived market in exchange for the enhanced career security sought by our workgroup.
The entire MEC remains committed to working with the company to find an agreement that satisfies the needs of both parties, and which we can endorse as the best path forward. We believe that such an agreement is within reach.
Thank you for your professionalism and patience, and as always don’t hesitate to contact your representatives.
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/Airlinersgallery.com. Embraer ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N928AE (msn 14500911) operated by Envoy Air arrives in Baltimore/Washington.
American Eagle-Envoy Air:
Trans States Airlines to operate 36 additional Embraer ERJ 145 regional jets for United Airlines
Trans States Airlines (subsidiary of Trans States Holdings, Inc.) (St. Louis) has announced that it will operate 36 Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft provided by United Airlines (Chicago). Trans States expects to begin taking delivery of and starting scheduled service with these aircraft under the United Express brand and livery in February 2015, with deliveries slated to continue through the first quarter of 2016. The aircraft will be moved from ExpressJet Airlines to Trans States by United.
Trans States Airlines has been providing United Airlines regional service under the United Express brand since 2003. The addition of these 36 aircraft will increase the fleet size of Trans States Airlines from 29 to 65 aircraft, more than doubling its current fleet size. Trans States Airlines currently has 25 aircraft in service with United, all of which are 50 seat Embraer ERJ 145s. The remaining four ERJ 145s in its fleet are operated as US Airways Express.
Trans States currently serves 25 cities and operates approximately 190 daily flights.
Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Trans States’ Embraer ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N845HK (msn 145842) in the old 2004 livery approaches the runway at United’s Dulles International Airport hub near Washington.
United Express-Trans States aircraft slide Show: 
Map: Trans States currently operates in these cities as United Express and US Airways Express.
Trans States Holdings commits to order 50 Embraer E175-E2 jets
Embraer S.A. announced today, at the 2014 edition of the Farnborough International Airshow, that it has received an order for 50 E175-E2 jets from Trans States Holdings, parent company of Trans States Airlines, Compass Airlines and GoJet Airlines. The agreement also includes options for an additional 50 units, taking the total order potential to 100 aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in June 2020.
The order, which is valued at approximately $2.4 billion at list prices, is subject to certain conditions. It will be added to the Company’s firm order backlog when these conditions are met and final confirmation of the aircraft is received from Trans States.
The Trans States E175-E2s will be configured with 76 seats in a dual-class layout.
The three new E-Jets E2 (E175-E2, E190-E2, and E195-E2) are powered by Pratt & Whitney’s latest generation geared-turbofan engines, have new aerodynamically advanced wings, full fly-by-wire flight controls, and systems advances that will bring lower external noise levels and double-digit savings in fuel burn, maintenance costs, and CO2 emissions.
Previously in 2009 Trans States Holdings had signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Mitsubishi for an order of 100 next-generation Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) aircraft (50 firm, 50 options).
Trans States Airlines is the fifth largest independent (privately held) regional airline in the United States. It was founded in 1982 as Resort Air. In 1989 the company changed its name to the current Trans States Airlines. GoJet Airlines was established in 2005 by Trans States Holdings to operate contract services for United Airlines under the United Express name with a fleet of 70-seat Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets. In July 2010, Delta Air Lines sold Compass Airlines to Trans States Holdings.
Image: Embraer.