Random question

Box hauler

Box hauler

Well-Known Member
So I'm sitting in my hotel and had a random question so I was interested in getting people's take on it so here it goes. What defines a "Major" in the airline business? Is it size, AC types, not operating under code share?
 
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If I recall... as long as you post more than $1 Billion in revenue, you are considered a "Major" by the DOT.

That doesn't mean those "Majors" earn $1 billion in profit... ;)

As a result, many of the "Regional" airlines are considered "Major" airlines by the DOT... such as ExpressJet, SkyWest, Envoy, etc.

That said... in the traditional sense... we usually define the airlines as:
  • Regional: Any airline that doesn't sell their own tickets and sub-contracts flying from the major/legacy carriers
  • Major: Any airline that sells their own tickets, synonymous with "mainline" carrier. AA, JetBlue, Frontier, Spirit, Virgin America, United, etc.
  • Legacy: An interstate airline that was established prior to deregulation in the 70's... American, Delta, and United are all that's left. TWA, PanAm, Eastern, Braniff, etc. are example of defunct "Legacy" carriers.
 
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The term is meaningless now. Really. In practice, I would say if the paint on the outside of the aircraft has the name of the company operating it.
 
Captain_Bob said:
If I recall... as long as you post more than $1 Billion in revenue, you are considered a "Major" by the DOT.

That doesn't mean those "Majors" earn $1 billion in profit... ;)

As a result, many of the "Regional" airlines are considered "Major" airlines by the DOT... such as ExpressJet, SkyWest, Envoy, etc.

That said... in the traditional sense... we usually define the airlines as:
  • Regional: Any airline that doesn't sell their own tickets and sub-contracts flying from the major/legacy carriers
  • Major: Any airline that sells their own tickets, synonymous with "mainline" carrier. AA, JetBlue, Frontier, Spirit, Virgin America, United, etc.
  • Legacy: An interstate airline that was established prior to deregulation in the 70's... American, Delta, and United are all that's left. TWA, PanAm, Eastern, Braniff, etc. are example of defunct "Legacy" carriers.
Click to expand...

Ummm... Hello.

Way to drop back into the world in a random thread :)
 
Captain_Bob said:
If I recall... as long as you post more than $1 Billion in revenue, you are considered a "Major" by the DOT.

That doesn't mean those "Majors" earn $1 billion in profit... ;)

As a result, many of the "Regional" airlines are considered "Major" airlines by the DOT... such as ExpressJet, SkyWest, Envoy, etc.

That said... in the traditional sense... we usually define the airlines as:
  • Regional: Any airline that doesn't sell their own tickets and sub-contracts flying from the major/legacy carriers
  • Major: Any airline that sells their own tickets, synonymous with "mainline" carrier. AA, JetBlue, Frontier, Spirit, Virgin America, United, etc.
  • Legacy: An interstate airline that was established prior to deregulation in the 70's... American, Delta, and United are all that's left. TWA, PanAm, Eastern, Braniff, etc. are example of defunct "Legacy" carriers.
Click to expand...

Good Gravy, is the prodigal son who initiated me to this forum returning? Can it be?

Nice ta see ya, Bob.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
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