United Express
A United Airlines regional airline network operated by independent partner carriers under the United Express brand.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
United Express is the regional airline network and customer-facing sub-brand of United Airlines. It connects smaller cities and secondary markets with United's principal hubs, feeding passengers into the airline's mainline network and providing short-haul service on routes where a larger aircraft would be uneconomic or operationally inefficient. Unlike a conventional airline with one operating certificate and a single fleet, United Express is a coordinated network of independent regional carriers that fly United-branded aircraft and schedules under contractual arrangements with United Airlines. The brand began on May 1, 1985, when United formally grouped services operated by Air Wisconsin, Horizon Air, and WestAir under the United Express name. Aspen Airways joined the network in 1986 to serve Denver. The model reflected the growing importance of hub-and-spoke operations after U.S. airline deregulation: regional operators could serve smaller communities while the major airline controlled network planning, reservations, fares, marketing, and connections. United subsequently added and replaced partners as the regional-airline industry consolidated. Historical operators included Presidential Airways, North Pacific Airlines, Mesa Airlines, Great Lakes Airlines, Trans States Airlines, Atlantic Coast Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, Air Wisconsin, ExpressJet, Colgan Air, Republic Airways subsidiaries, Cape Air, Silver Airways, and others. United generally uses capacity-purchase agreements with its regional partners. Under these arrangements, United determines schedules and commercial distribution, sells tickets under its own code, manages pricing and loyalty-program relationships, and pays the operating carrier fixed and performance-related fees. The regional carrier supplies crews and operational services and typically operates aircraft in United's livery or branding. This structure gives United control over the passenger proposition while allowing the partner airlines to specialize in regional aircraft and operations. The fleet has changed substantially over time. United Express formerly used turboprops such as the Beechcraft 1900, Bombardier Q200 and Q300, and Bombardier Q400, as well as a broad range of regional jets. By 2018, turboprop flying had ended in the United States network. The modern fleet has centered on Embraer E170 and E175 aircraft, Bombardier CRJ700 and CRJ550 aircraft, and Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft. The network has also supported United's two-class regional product, including the explus offering introduced in the mid-2000s, which brought first-class seating and enhanced service to selected regional routes. United Express has been reshaped by financial distress, labor and capacity pressures, airline mergers, and the COVID-19 pandemic. United ended or transferred several partnerships, including the withdrawal of ExpressJet flying in 2020 and Air Wisconsin's transition away from United Express beginning in 2023. In late 2024, United agreed to purchase 18 Embraer E175 aircraft from Mesa Airlines in a sale-leaseback transaction and lease them back to Mesa. As reported for 2024, United Express represented approximately six percent of United's total capacity. Current or recent operating partners identified for the brand include CommuteAir, GoJet Airlines, Mesa Airlines, Republic Airways, and SkyWest Airlines. United Express remains an active component of United's domestic network, particularly for hub connectivity and smaller communities.
History
United Express emerged from the formalization of regional-airline relationships that had existed for decades before deregulation. The Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 accelerated the development of hub systems and encouraged major airlines to use regional partners to connect smaller communities to large connecting airports. Code sharing, coordinated schedules, common branding, and computer-reservation distribution allowed passengers to view regional flights as part of the mainline network. On May 1, 1985, United introduced the United Express brand with Air Wisconsin, Horizon Air, and WestAir serving the Chicago, Seattle, and San Francisco systems. Aspen Airways joined in 1986 to support Denver. The network changed rapidly as partners were acquired, reorganized, or replaced. Horizon's United relationship ended after its acquisition by Alaska Airlines, while WestAir created North Pacific Airlines for additional Pacific Northwest flying. Aspen Airways was dismantled in 1990, with its activities divided between Air Wisconsin and Mesa Airlines. WestAir's eastern operation became Atlantic Coast Airlines in 1991. Mesa expanded its United Express role during the 1990s, taking over most Denver routes previously operated by Aspen and later adding Los Angeles, Seattle, and Portland flying. Great Lakes Airlines joined in 1992, Trans States Airlines in 1993, and SkyWest in 1997. Trans States also operated a United Feeder Service using BAe ATP aircraft owned by United, but that operation ended in 1999. Mesa's contract was cancelled in 1998, after which Air Wisconsin and Great Lakes covered Denver flying and SkyWest assumed several western markets. Great Lakes left the United Express system in 2002, although it retained a codeshare relationship for a longer period. United's 2002 Chapter 11 reorganization placed substantial financial pressure on its regional partners. Atlantic Coast Airlines left the contract in 2004 and attempted to become the independent low-cost carrier Independence Air, which ceased operations after approximately 18 months. United subsequently added or restored relationships with Colgan Air, GoJet Airlines, Republic Airways subsidiaries, and Mesa. In 2005, United introduced explus, a regional service concept featuring first-class seating and meal service on larger regional jets such as the Embraer 170 and Bombardier CRJ700. The Continental merger brought another major change. In late 2010, Continental Express and Continental Connection flying was incorporated into United Express, including operations by Cape Air and Silver Airways. Silver's affiliation ended in 2013. United also ended Mesa's Dash 8 and CRJ200 flying in 2009, while Mesa continued with larger regional jets and later added Embraer E175 aircraft. Republic replaced Colgan's Q400 operation after Pinnacle Airlines entered bankruptcy in 2012, but Republic's Q400s were later replaced by additional E175s. The brand's turboprop era ended in stages: Q300 service ended in 2017 and Q200 service in January 2018. Cape Air service ended on May 31, 2018, ending United Express operations in Guam and the remaining United Express turboprop operation. The COVID-19 crisis led to further contraction. Trans States stopped operating in April 2020, and United transferred ExpressJet's flying to CommuteAir later that year. Air Wisconsin announced its departure in 2022 and began moving its flying to American Eagle in 2023. In the 2020s, United Express continued to rely primarily on regional jets and capacity-purchase partnerships. United selected Starlink connectivity for mainline and two-class regional aircraft in 2024. It also arranged to acquire 18 Mesa E175 aircraft and lease them back to Mesa, supporting the continued use of larger regional jets. By 2024, United Express accounted for about six percent of United's total capacity. The network remains active and is operated by several independent carriers under United's commercial control.
- 2024
United adopts Starlink and arranges Mesa E175 transaction
[1]United selected Starlink for regional connectivity and agreed to acquire and lease back 18 Mesa Embraer E175 aircraft.
- 2020
ExpressJet flying transferred to CommuteAir
[1]CommuteAir became the principal operator of United Express ERJ-145 aircraft after ExpressJet's contract ended.
- 2018
United Express turboprop era ends
[1]The final Q200 and Q300 aircraft left the United Express system, and Cape Air's departure ended the remaining Guam turboprop operation.
- 2010
Continental regional operations folded into United Express
[1]Continental Express and Continental Connection services were incorporated into the United Express network after the United-Continental integration.
- 2005
explus regional product introduced
[1]United introduced a two-class regional offering with first-class seating and meal service on selected larger regional jets.
- 1997
SkyWest becomes a United Express partner
[1]SkyWest joined the network after United designated Los Angeles as a hub.
- 1986
Aspen Airways joins the network
[1]Aspen Airways became the United Express operator for United's Denver hub.
- 1985
United Express brand launched
[1]Air Wisconsin, Horizon Air, and WestAir began operating under the United Express identity for United's Chicago, Seattle, and San Francisco hubs.
Products and positioning
Convenient, United-integrated regional air service linking smaller communities with major United Airlines hubs.
Passenger airline service · 1985
United Express regional scheduled flights
United Express flights provide short-haul passenger service under United's code and brand. Independent regional airlines operate the aircraft, crews, and day-to-day flight operations, while United controls network planning, ticket distribution, fares, connections, and MileagePlus relationships. The service is designed to connect smaller communities with United hubs and to complement United mainline flights.
Premium regional service · 2005
explus
Introduced in 2005, explus expanded the role of regional aircraft beyond purely feeder flying. Selected routes received larger regional jets configured with first-class seating and meal service, allowing United to offer a more differentiated onboard product on some city pairs that could be served by either regional or mainline aircraft.
Regional jet service · 2015
United Express Embraer E175 service
The E175 became a central aircraft type for United Express, offering more seats and a two-class cabin compared with older small regional jets. It is used by partner carriers on hub-feeding and selected longer regional routes, including services where United seeks mainline-like connectivity with regional capacity.
Regional jet service · 2010
United Express ERJ-145 service
The Embraer ERJ-145 supports lower-density routes and smaller markets. After United ended its ExpressJet contract in 2020, CommuteAir became the principal United Express operator of this aircraft type, preserving smaller-capacity connectivity within the United network.
Controversies
2017
Removal of passenger from Flight 3411
David Dao was forcibly removed by law enforcement from United Express Flight 3411 after declining to leave his seat when United sought space for deadheading crew. Dao sustained injuries, and the event generated extensive public criticism of United's policies and handling of passengers. The incident was associated with a United Express-operated flight but became a wider United Airlines reputational crisis.
Brand decisions
2024
Mesa E175 sale-leaseback arrangementStrategyBackground
United continued to adjust the ownership and deployment of larger regional jets within its capacity-purchase network.
Action taken
United agreed to purchase 18 Mesa Embraer E175 aircraft and lease them back to Mesa, with transfers scheduled across late 2024 and early 2025.
Aftermath
The arrangement supported continued Mesa operation of E175 aircraft for United Express.
Aircraft purchase value. $230 million transaction value (Late 2024)
2020
Transfer of ExpressJet flying to CommuteAirStrategyBackground
The COVID-19 pandemic intensified pressure on regional capacity and United reassessed its operator partnerships.
Action taken
United ended its ExpressJet contract and transferred the associated United Express ERJ-145 operation to CommuteAir.
Aftermath
ExpressJet ended United Express operations on September 30, 2020, while CommuteAir became the sole operator of the United Express ERJ-145 fleet.
2005
Launch of explusProduct launchBackground
United sought to provide a more premium regional experience and use larger regional aircraft on routes connecting major cities.
Action taken
The airline introduced first-class seating and meal service on selected Embraer 170 and Bombardier CRJ700 operations.
Aftermath
Regional aircraft gained a broader role on routes that could otherwise have been served by mainline jets.
Recent events
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