Tag Archives: United Express

United to add new domestic routes for the summer

United Airlines is adding eight domestic routes in June for the summer season:

Chicago O’Hare – Salina – 6 flights a week effective April 9, 2018 with SkyWest CRJ200s
Denver – Appleton – daily flights effective June 7, 2018 with Air Wisconsin CRJ200s
Denver – Norfolk – daily mainline flights effective June 7, 2018 with Airbus A319s
Houston (Bush Intercontinental) – Akron/Canton – daily flights effective June 7, 2018 with ExpressJet ERJ 145s
Houston (Bush Intercontinental) – Dayton – daily flights effective June 7, 2018 with ExpressJet ERJ 145s
Los Angeles – Eureka – daily flights effective June 7, 2018 with SkyWest CRJ200s
Newark – Rapid City – weekly flights effective June 17 through September 14, 2018 with Republic Airlines ERJ 175s
San Francisco – Madison – daily flights effective June 7, 2018 with SkyWest ERJ 175s (above)

The airline confirmed the new destinations with this announcement:

United Airlines (UAL) on January 8, 2018 announced it will begin new service between six of its domestic hubs and eight destinations in California, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, Virginia and Wisconsin.

The new flights, starting June 7, offer customers hundreds of connection opportunities across United’s world-class domestic and international route network.

New year round service

Hub	New Destination	Frequency	Begins	Aircraft
Chicago (ORD)	Bismarck, ND (BIS)	2 flights daily	June 7	ERJ
Denver (DEN)	Appleton, WI (ATW)	Daily	June 7	CRJ
Denver (DEN)	Norfolk, VA (ORF)	Daily	June 7	A319
Houston (IAH)	Akron/Canton, OH (CAK)	Daily	June 7	ERJ
Houston (IAH)	Dayton, OH (DAY)	Daily	June 7	ERJ
Los Angeles (LAX)	Eureka, CA (ACV)	Daily	June 7	CRJ
San Francisco (SFO)	Madison, WI (MSN)	Daily	June 7	E175

New summer service to Rapid City, South Dakota

In addition to the new year round services, United announced it will offer the only nonstop flight between New York and Rapid City, South Dakota. Beginning June 23, United will start summer service between New York/Newark and Rapid City, making it easier for customers to access popular outdoor destinations including Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Badlands National Park and Wind Cave National Park. United’s Saturday-only service between New York/Newark and Rapid City will operate with Embraer E175 aircraft and will depart New York/Newark at 10:00 a.m. and arrive in Rapid City at 12:05 p.m.

Enhancing operations in Chicago

In February, United will begin operating its newly enhanced bank structure at O’Hare International Airport to shorten connection times and provide better access to more destinations for customers connecting through the carrier’s Chicago hub. This operations enhancement, already in place at United’s Houston hub, will enable United to greatly improve connectivity throughout its industry-leading global route network.

Copyright Photo: United Express-SkyWest Airlines Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N122SY (msn 17000431) RDU (Ken Petersen). Image: 935116.) RDU (Ken Petersen). Image: 935116.

United Express/SkyWest aircraft slide show:

United is bringing United Express service to Wilmington, NC

Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is thrilled to welcome United Airlines to Wilmington, North Carolina. United Airlines will add two new nonstop routes between ILM and Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and between ILM and Dulles/Washington DC area (IAD). The new daily nonstop flights will begin April 9, 2018.

The new daily flights to both hubs will be operated by Trans States Airlines.

Copyright Photo: United Express-Trans States Airlines Embraer ERJ 145XR (EMB-145XR) N21130 (msn 14500704) IAD (Brian McDonough). Image: 929955.

United to add 12 new United Express routes in 2018

United Airlines is adding 12 new routes operated by United Express carriers (mostly by SkyWest Airlines) in 2018:

Chicago O’Hare – El Paso (April 9, 2018) – daily Embraer 170 (Republic Airlines)
Chicago O’Hare – Fresno (June 7, 2018) – daily Embraer 175 (SkyWest Airlines)
Denver – Jacksonville FL (April 9, 2018) – daily Embraer 175 (SkyWest Airlines)
Denver – Liberal (February 6, 2018) – 6 weekly Bombardier CRJ200 (SkyWest Airlines)
Denver – North Platte (February 1, 2018) – daily Bombardier CRJ200 (SkyWest Airlines)
Denver – Pueblo – Liberal (February 6, 2018) – 6 weekly Bombardier CRJ200 (SkyWest Airlines)
Denver – Scottsbluff (January 30, 2018) – daily Bombardier CRJ200 by SkyWest Airlines)
Los Angeles – Kalispell (June 7, 2018) – daily Bombardier CRJ200 (SkyWest Airlines)
Los Angeles – Medford (April 9, 2018) – daily Bombardier CRJ200 (SkyWest Airlines)
Los Angeles – Missoula (June 7, 2018) – daily Bombardier CRJ200 (SkyWest Airlines)
Los Angeles – Redmond (April 9, 2018) – daily Bombardier CRJ200 (SkyWest Airlines)
Newark – Elmira (April 9, 2018) – daily Embraer ERJ145 (CommutAir)

Update: On November 21, 2017 United Airlines made the official announcement:

United Airlines on November 21 announced it will offer customers more opportunities to travel from five of its U.S. hubs to 10 cities in California, Florida, Montana, New York, North Carolina, Oregon and Texas beginning in April 2018. Additionally, the airline announced it will optimize its O’Hare International Airport (ORD) schedule to provide shorter connection times and more options for customers connecting through Chicago.

New year round service

United will now serve Wilmington, North Carolina from Chicago and Washington Dulles and Elmira, New York from New York/Newark. The full list of new routes includes:

Hub	New Destination	Frequency	Begins	Aircraft
Chicago (ORD)	El Paso (ELP)	2 flights daily	April 9	E170
Chicago (ORD)	Wilmington (ILM)	2 flights daily	April 9	ERJ
Denver (DEN)	Jacksonville (JAX)	1 flight daily	April 9	E175
Los Angeles (LAX)	Redmond (RDM)	2 flights daily	April 9	CRJ
Los Angeles (LAX)	Medford (MFR)	2 flights daily	April 9	CRJ
New York/Newark (EWR)	Elmira (ELM)	2 flights daily	April 9	ERJ
Washington-Dulles (IAD)	Wilmington (ILM)	2 flights daily	April 9	ERJ

New seasonal daily service from Chicago (ORD) and Los Angeles (LAX)

With United’s new summer service, more customers will have easier access to popular outdoor destinations like Yosemite National Park near Fresno; Glacier National Park near Kalispell and Yellowstone National Park near Missoula.

Hub	New Destination	Frequency	Begins	Aircraft
Chicago (ORD)	Fresno (FAT)	Daily	June 7	E175
Los Angeles (LAX)	Kalispell (FCA)	Daily	June 7	CRJ
Los Angeles (LAX)	Missoula (MSO)	Daily	June 7	CRJ

Enhancing operations in Chicago

Beginning in February 2018, a newly enhanced bank structure at O’Hare will mean shorter connection times and better access to more destinations for customers connecting through the carrier’s Chicago hub. This operations enhancement, already in place at United’s Houston hub, will enable United to greatly improve connectivity throughout its industry-leading global route network.

Copyright Photo: United Express-SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N964SW (msn 7868) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 936126.

Air Wisconsin to fly again for United Airlines as an United Express carrier

Air Wisconsin Airlines (Appleton, WI) was facing an uncertain future as American Airlines has not yet indicated if it will extend the current American Eagle contract which is due to expire in 2018.

Air Wisconsin has just signed a five-year capacity purhcase agreement (CPA) with United Airlines to once again fly as an United Express carrier. Air Wisconsin flew in United Express colors from October 26, 1986 to April 16, 2006 (below).

United Express-Air Wisconsin slide show:

Since then Air Wisconsin has operated as an US Airways Express and now an American Eagle carrier.

Air Wisconsin currently operates 66 Canadair (Bombardier) CRJ200 regional jets for American (below):

Copyright Photo: American Eagle-Air Wisconsin Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N423AW (msn 7636) CLT (Jay Selman). Image: 403093.

American Eagle-Air Wisconsin slide show:

ALPA issued this statement representing the Air Wisconsin pilots:

Air Wisconsin pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), are applauding a new agreement with an old partner—United Airlines—that will give their carrier new flying for five years or more.

The agreement, announced on February 27, 2017 by United President Scott Kirby and Air Wisconsin CEO Christine Deister, came as the Wisconsin-based carrier was nearing the end of its contract with American Airlines. With the uncertainty of American renewing its contract with Air Wisconsin when it expires in early 2018, the agreement with United gives the airline and its employees new hope and opportunity.

“We are excited to renew our long-term relationship as a United Express carrier. Air Wisconsin flew under United’s colors from the 1980s until 2006, so for many of us at the airline, this announcement feels like we’re coming home,” said Capt. Chris Suhs, chairman of ALPA’s Air Wisconsin group.

According to Air Wisconsin management, the United agreement includes a career pathway program that will give pilots a path to jobs at the larger carrier if they meet United’s hiring standards and other conditions.

Suhs is hopeful that the stability the new deal with United provides will help Air Wisconsin attract and retain pilots, as well as assist management and the union in finally coming to terms on a new pilot contract. The two sides have been in negotiations for more than six years.

SkyWest reports net income of $41 million in the third quarter, outlines its fleet plans

SkyWest, Inc. (St. George, Utah) reported its financial and operating results for the third quarter of 2016, including net income of $41 million or $0.79 per diluted share, up from net income of $36 million or $0.71 per diluted share in Q3 2015. Excluding the $9 million non-cash impact of early lease return charges on six CRJ700s, adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.90 in Q3 2016. Pre-tax income for the third quarter of 2016 was $67 million compared to $60 million in Q3 2015.

Commenting on the results, Chip Childs, SkyWest, Inc. Chief Executive Officer, said “Since early 2014, we have grown earnings by executing a complex fleet transition that added 67 new E175s and reduced our 50-seat fleet by over 120 aircraft. Our focus through 2017 will be on reducing the overall risk profile of the company, integrating the remaining deliveries of 37 E175s, optimizing how our assets and capital are deployed and positioning for future growth. Our employees have delivered amazingly well against challenging goals and have again provided our customers with solid operating performance, despite the significant changes to our fleet during the quarter.”

SkyWest’s total fleet in service decreased by 13 aircraft during the third quarter of 2016 as follows:

skywest-fleet-graph-1

Above Copyright Photo: Alaska SkyWest (SkyWest Airlines) Bombardier CRJ700 (CL-600-2C10) N223AG (msn 10010) LGB (Michael B. Ing). Image: 924092.

SkyWest’s total fleet in service decreased by 14 aircraft from September 30, 2015 to September 30, 2016 as follows:

skywest-fleet-graph-2

During Q3 2016, SkyWest redeployed six CRJ700 aircraft into service under a multi-year agreement with American and redeployed four CRJ700 aircraft into service under a multi-year agreement with Delta.

SkyWest previously operated the combined 10 CRJ700s under an agreement that expired with United. A total of 37 CRJ700 aircraft with scheduled contract expirations with United are scheduled to be redeployed with American by mid-2017, eliminating the related financing tail risk on these aircraft through 2019.

Copyright Photo: American Eagle Airlines (2nd)-SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N492SW (msn 7168) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 927579.

SkyWest anticipates its CRJ200 fleet and its ERJ145 fleet (“50-Seat Aircraft”) will be reduced by approximately 16 aircraft by the end of 2016 as a result of flying agreement expirations with multiple major partners. During Q3 2016, SkyWest extended the contract term on nine CRJ200s with American from the end of 2016 to the end of Q3 2017.

Under a previously announced lease return arrangement, SkyWest is currently scheduled to return 11 additional CRJ700s over the next six months. If the aircraft are returned as scheduled, SkyWest anticipates largely non-cash termination costs of approximately $15-17 million (pre-tax), which will be recognized as the aircraft are removed from service and processed.

The following table outlines SkyWest’s anticipated delivery schedule for new E175 aircraft through the end of 2017:

skywest-fleet-graph-3

Top Copyright Photo: United Express-SkyWest Airlines Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N108SY (msn 17000401) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 930967.

CommutAir becomes a new Embraer ERJ operator

CommutAir Begins Commercial Service with ERJ-145XR Aircraft for United Express (PRNewsFoto/CommutAir)

CommutAir on July 1, 2016 began commercial service with its inaugural United Express flight on the Embraer ERJ-145XR regional jet from Washington, DC (Dulles) to Columbia, SC.

CommutAir, operating as United Express, is majority owned by Champlain Enterprises Inc., an airline holding company founded in the 1980s. Today, CommutAir operates a large fleet of Bombardier Q200/Q300 aircraft with more than 650 weekly flights to 29 airports.

Photo: CommutAir.

United to add Denver – Richmond flights

https://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-UnitedStates-3/Airlines-United-States3-QZ/United-Express-SkyWest/i-bDGwvcq

United Airlines (Chicago) will add daily United Express Embraer 175 service (operated by SkyWest Airlines) between the Denver hub and Richmond, Virginia starting on April 5 according to Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. SkyWest Airlines Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N114SY (msn 17000410) taxies at Toronto (Pearson).

United Express-SkyWest aircraft slide show:

Mesa Airlines expands its E175 agreement with United Airlines

https://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-UnitedStates-3/Airlines-United-States3-QZ/United-Express-Mesa-Airlines/i-L3jT4Nt

Mesa Airlines, Inc. (Phoenix) has announced the expansion of its agreement with United Airlines (Chicago) to operate three additional Embraer 175 aircraft, bringing the total number of United Express aircraft operated by Mesa to 68. In October, the Company announced an agreement for the addition of 15 new aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2016, which has now increased to 18. Mesa currently operates 30 Embraer E175 aircraft and 20 Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft under the United Express brand.

The E175’s 76-seat dual-class configuration features 12 First-Class, 16 Premium Economy and 48 Coach seats. The aircraft has Inflight Wi-Fi connectivity, leather seating and electric outlets in First Class.

Mesa Airlines currently operates as American Eagle from hubs in Phoenix and Dallas/Fort Worth and as United Express from Washington Dulles and Houston. Founded on a mesa in New Mexico in 1982 by Larry and Janie Risley, Mesa currently operates 115 aircraft, with more than 530 daily system departures to 103 cities, 38 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and Mexico.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N84307 (msn 17000419) departs from United’s Washington Dulles International Airport hub.

United Express-Mesa aircraft slide show:

CommutAir’s pilots ratify the new four-year contract

https://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/Airlines-UnitedStates-3/Airlines-United-States3-QZ/United-Express-CommutAir/i-CkL5HXC

CommutAir (United Express) (Burlington, VT) has confirmed that its pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA), ratified a new four year contract that the company called a “significant accomplishment in light of a very challenging employment environment”.

The new four year deal addresses key quality of life and pay issues as well as important productivity concerns as the Company implements significant growth plans with the addition of 40 Embraer ERJ 145 jet aircraft to its fleet pursuant to the recently announced five year flying contract with United Airlines.

In addition to the announced aircraft growth the Company has established a “Career Path Program” CPP with United Airlines where participating pilots are offered the option to transition from CommutAir to United after meeting various service, performance record and accumulated flight hour requirements.

CommutAir, operating as United Express, is the d/b/a of Champlain Enterprises Inc., an airline holding company founded in the 1980s. Today, CommutAir operates a large fleet of Bombardier Q200/Q300 aircraft with more than 650 weekly flights to 29 airports.

Copyright Photo: Tony Storck/AirlinersGallery.com. CommutAir’s Bombardier DHC-8-202 (Q200) N364PH (msn 524) arrives at Baltimore/Washington.

United Express-CommutAir aircraft slide show:

CommutAir takes delivery of its first jetliner

CommutAir (United Express) (Burlington, VT) issued this statement and photo concerning the delivery of its first (of 40) Embraer ERJ 145:

CommutAir’s first jet aircraft arrived at its Albany maintenance base earlier this week. It will be used for FAA certification and training before being placed into service early next year.

The first aircraft is one of 40 ERJ145 aircraft that CommutAir will operate under a previously announced operating contract with United Airlines. The contract also introduced a Career Path Program (CPP) for CommutAir pilots.

Photo: PRNewsPhoto/CommutAir.

United Express-CommutAir slide show: