Mesa Airlines

Mesa Airlines is a regional airline headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, operating scheduled passenger service as a contract carrier for major U.S. airlines. Founded in 1982, Mesa has grown to become one of the largest regional carriers in the United States, flying under the banners of its mainline partners rather than its own brand. The airline operates primarily under capacity purchase agreements, meaning its mainline partners sell the tickets and Mesa is paid a fixed fee to operate the flights. This model shields Mesa from fuel price volatility and demand fluctuations to a degree. It has historically operated flights for United Airlines and American Airlines under the United Express and American Eagle brands. Mesa Airlines has faced financial challenges in recent years, including filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January 2023 as it navigated a pilot shortage and rising costs. The company has worked to restructure its operations and agreements with its partners to stabilize its business.