SkyWest Airlines is a leading American regional airline headquartered in St. George, Utah. It operates as a contract carrier for major airlines, including Alaska Airlines (as Alaska SkyWest), American Airlines (as American Eagle), Delta Air Lines (as Delta Connection), and United Airlines (as United Express).
SkyWest is the largest regional airline in North America by fleet size, passenger volume, and destinations served. As of 2024, it operates a fleet of nearly 500 aircraft, connecting passengers to 268 destinations across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, carrying over 42 million passengers annually. The airline employs approximately 15,000 people and operates an average of 2,190 daily flights, with 41% as United Express, 32% as Delta Connection, 17% as American Eagle, and 10% as Alaska Airlines flights.
SkyWest is a subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc., a holding company that also includes SkyWest Leasing and SkyWest Charter (SWC). The airline is known for its reliability, safety focus, and partnerships with major carriers, facilitating connections between smaller airports and major hubs.
Brief History of SkyWest Airlines
Founded on April 26, 1972, by Ralph Atkin, a St. George, Utah lawyer, who purchased Dixie Airlines to provide shuttle services for businessmen to Salt Lake City. Initially operating small propeller-driven aircraft like the Piper Seneca, SkyWest offered air charters, maintenance, and flight training. Its first scheduled flight took place on June 19, 1972, from St. George to Salt Lake City via Cedar City.
In 1977, SkyWest signed its first interline agreement with American Airlines, streamlining passenger ticketing. The Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 allowed SkyWest to expand into small markets abandoned by larger carriers, and in 1978, it acquired its first Fairchild Metroliner II, a significant upgrade. By 1984, SkyWest became the 11th largest regional carrier after acquiring Sun Aire Lines, followed by its initial public offering in 1986.
SkyWest began codesharing as Western Express in 1985 for Western Airlines, transitioning to Delta Connection after Western’s merger with Delta in 1986. It later partnered with United Airlines (1997), American Airlines (2012), and Alaska Airlines (2011). The airline transitioned from turboprops to jets, becoming the launch customer for the Bombardier CRJ200 in 1994 and later operating the Embraer E175.
Key milestones include acquiring Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) in 2005, selling ExpressJet Airlines in 2019, and purchasing a 25% stake in Contour Airlines in 2024 to support its SkyWest Charter operations. SkyWest has been recognized for operational excellence, including being named the number one on-time airline in 2004 by the U.S. Department of Transportation and one of Fortune’s Most Admired Companies.
