All About SkyWest Airlines! (AvHistory #14)
From a small Utah commuter operation to America's largest regional airline network.
Let’s jump into the next iteration of aviation history! I truly love writing these articles because I learn something new every time I research while also sharing historical knowledge that remains relevant to modern travel.
Today’s subject: SkyWest Airlines!
First, an overview.
SkyWest Airlines is an American regional airline headquartered in the desert city of St. George, Utah. Despite — or perhaps because of — its remote location, SkyWest has become the leading regional airline in the United States and is by far the nation’s largest regional carrier.
SkyWest maintains agreements with all three major legacy carrier regional brands: American Eagle (American Airlines), United Express (United Airlines), and Delta Connection (Delta Air Lines). It also operates flights for Alaska Airlines alongside Horizon Air.
While several airlines operate exclusively as regional carriers, SkyWest remains the largest by both fleet size and passengers carried. It functions as both an independent regional airline and a contracted short-haul operator supporting major airline networks.
In total, SkyWest carried 46 million passengers in 2025.
To provide statistical context, on an average day in 2025, the company operated approximately 2,260 flights:
- 940 (42%) United Express flights
- 680 (30%) Delta Connection flights
- 420 (19%) American Eagle flights
- 210 (9%) Alaska Airlines flights
As of 2026, SkyWest serves 256 cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico through a route network designed primarily to connect smaller communities to major airline hubs. In practical terms, SkyWest functions as one of North America’s largest feeder airline systems.
Early History
SkyWest’s beginnings were relatively simple.
Frustrated by limited air service options, St. George attorney Ralph Atkin purchased Dixie Airlines on April 26, 1972, to shuttle business travelers between St. George and Salt Lake City — approximately 330 miles away.
After the typical struggles common to new airlines, SkyWest steadily expanded throughout the western United States.
A major milestone came in 1984 when SkyWest acquired Sun Aire Lines of Palm Springs, California, becoming the nation’s eleventh-largest regional carrier. The airline later completed its initial public offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange in 1986.
Codesharing Growth and Expansion
In early 1986, SkyWest began codesharing as Western Express, serving as a feeder airline for Western Airlines from Salt Lake City and other destinations using Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia and Fairchild Metroliner turboprop aircraft.
Following Delta Air Lines’ acquisition of Western Airlines in 1987, SkyWest transitioned into a Delta Connection carrier, serving destinations throughout Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming.
From 1995 through 1997, SkyWest also operated Continental Connection service on behalf of Continental Airlines while continuing Delta Connection operations.
A major expansion occurred in 1997 when SkyWest signed agreements to operate United Express flights from United hubs in San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), and Denver (DEN).
By the late 1990s, SkyWest had become United’s largest regional partner.
Initial United Express operations relied heavily on Embraer EMB-120 turboprops and Bombardier CRJ-200 regional jets. Later fleet additions included:
- CRJ-700 aircraft in the early 2000s
- Embraer E175 aircraft beginning in 2014
Expansion Through Acquisition
One of SkyWest’s most significant moves occurred in 2010.
That year, SkyWest announced plans to acquire ExpressJet, a major regional carrier operating primarily for Continental Airlines.
After regulatory approval, ExpressJet merged with Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA), a SkyWest subsidiary acquired from Delta Air Lines in 2007.
The transaction reportedly carried a value of approximately $133 million.
The timing aligned with the merger between Continental Airlines and United Airlines, consolidating regional operations supporting both carriers.
Additional Partnerships
In 2011, AirTran Airways ended its relationship with SkyWest following AirTran’s merger with Southwest Airlines.
Shortly afterward, SkyWest entered a short-lived partnership with US Airways operating CRJ-200 aircraft from Phoenix before US Airways merged with American Airlines.
SkyWest also expanded cooperation with Alaska Airlines beginning in 2011 by operating select West Coast routes previously served by Horizon Air.
These routes connected Seattle and Portland with California destinations including:
- Fresno
- Burbank
- Santa Barbara
- Ontario
American Airlines Partnership
On November 15, 2012, SkyWest launched operations for American Eagle using Bombardier CRJ-200 aircraft from Los Angeles.
The partnership expanded rapidly over subsequent years to hubs including:
- Chicago
- Dallas/Fort Worth
- Phoenix
CRJ-700 and CRJ-900 aircraft joined operations beginning in 2016.
The smaller CRJ-200 fleet was retired by 2020.
Embraer E175 aircraft entered American Eagle service in late 2021.
Fleet Modernization
In September 2017, SkyWest announced agreements to acquire additional Embraer E175 aircraft for Delta Connection and Alaska Airlines operations.
These aircraft included special-configuration E175SC variants designed for future seating flexibility.
Delivery occurred throughout 2018.
In March 2024, SkyWest signed an agreement with United Airlines to operate an additional 20 Embraer E175 aircraft for United Express.
Unlike traditional arrangements, these aircraft were financed directly by United Airlines rather than SkyWest.
The agreement was later extended through fiscal year 2029.
SkyWest Today
SkyWest now operates the largest regional airline fleet in the United States.
Since retiring its final EMB-120 aircraft in 2015, the company has operated an all-jet fleet.
Most SkyWest aircraft wear partner airline liveries featuring branding from United, Delta, American, or Alaska Airlines, with “Operated by SkyWest Airlines” displayed near the aircraft boarding door.
SkyWest also maintains a limited number of aircraft in its own branding, allowing operational flexibility across partner networks.
From a small Utah commuter operation to the nation’s largest regional airline, SkyWest’s growth reflects decades of strategic expansion, partnerships, fleet modernization, and adaptation within an evolving aviation industry.
Thank you for reading the fourteenth edition of aviation history and this look into SkyWest Airlines — the largest regional carrier in the United States.
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