US Airways Express
US Airways Express was the brand name for the regional affiliate of US Airways, under which a number of individually owned commuter air carriers and regional airlines operate short and medium haul routes. This code sharing service was previously operated as USAir Express. Mainline carriers often outsource to regional airlines to operate services in order to increase frequency, serve routes that would not sustain larger aircraft, or for other competitive reasons. US Airways Express operations were conducted from smaller markets in the United States, Canada, and the Bahamas primarily centered on US Airways' major hubs and focus cities. Upon the completion of US Airways' merger process with American Airlines, US Airways Express was rebranded as American Eagle on October 17, 2015.
History
US Airways Express traced its beginnings to 1967, when Henson Airlines began operating as Allegheny Commuter for Allegheny Airlines, predecessor to US Airways. The initial route was Baltimore-Hagerstown. This is generally credited as the industry's first code-share agreement and the first major airline to use another airline as its commuter partner. Henson Airlines was the major predecessor to today's US Airways Express carrier Piedmont Airlines.Pacific Southwest Airlines and Piedmont Airlines were both major carriers that merged with USAir, which later became US Airways, and the corporate names were retained to protect their trademarks. However, the routes, aircraft, and other characteristics of the rebranded regional carriers bear no relation to their namesakes.
The aircraft livery of US Airways Express aircraft is identical to US Airways' mainline colors except for the word Express which is attached to the basic US Airways livery. In April 2013, an internal memo distributed to American Eagle employees at American Airlines Group's subsidiaries: Executive Airlines and American Eagle; indicated the US Airways Express banner and marketing brand, were expected to be discontinued although the remaining and independently operating airline subsidiaries, were expected to continue but operated with American Eagle branded colors.
Destinations
Operators and fleet
Former airlines
Airlines which have previously operated as US Airways Express, USAir Express or predecessors include:| Airline | Years of Operation | Aircraft Operated | Information |
| Air Midwest | 1990–2008 | Beechcraft 1900D | Subsidiary of Mesa Air Group |
| Allegheny Airlines | Ended 2004 | Dash 8 | Merged into Piedmont Airlines |
| CCAir | 1987–2002 | Cessna 402 Beechcraft Model 99 Short 330 Short 360 BAe Jetstream 32 Dash 8 Beechcraft 1900D | |
| CommutAir | 1989–2000 | Beechcraft 1900D | Now flying under United Express |
| FloridaGulf Airlines | 1991–1997 | Beechcraft 1900D Embraer EMB-120 | Merged into Air Midwest |
| Liberty Express Airlines | 1994–1997 | Beechcraft 1900D | Merged into Air Midwest |
| Midway Airlines | 2002–2003 | Bombardier CRJ-100 | |
| MidAtlantic Airways | 2000–2006 | Dash 8-200 Embraer E170 | |
| Paradise Island Airlines | 1989–1997 | Dash 7 | |
| Ransome Airlines | 1973–1982 | Volpar Beech 18 Nord 262 Mohawk 298 Dash 7 | |
| Shuttle America | 2001–2002 | Dash 8-100 Saab 340 | Now operates as United Express and Delta Connection |
| StatesWest Airlines | 1990–1993 | Beechcraft 1900 Beechcraft 1300 Dash 8 | |
| Colgan Air/Mesaba Airlines | 1999-2012 | Saab 340 |
In addition, Trans States Airlines operated as US Airways Express into Los Angeles during the late 1990s flying BAe Jetstream 31 aircraft with service to several destinations in southern and central California.
Accidents and incidents
- January 3, 1992, CommutAir Flight 4821 a Raytheon Beech 1900C Airliner operating for USAir Express, was flying from Plattsburgh to Saranac Lake when it crashed into wooded mountaintop as it was landing at Adirondack Regional Airport. Of the 4 people on board 2 died while the other 2 sustained serious injuries. The cause of the crash was determined to be pilot error in establishing a stabilized approach and cross-checking instruments.
- January 8, 2003, Air Midwest Flight 5481 a Beechcraft 1900D operated by Air Midwest as US Airways Express under a franchise agreement, crashed into an airport hangar and burst into flames 37 seconds after leaving Charlotte/Douglas International Airport located in Charlotte, North Carolina for Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport in Greer, South Carolina. All 19 passengers and 2 pilots aboard died in the crash.
- November 16, 2008, Flight 4551, a US Airways Express de Havilland Dash-8 turboprop operated by Piedmont Airlines, took off from Lehigh Valley International Airport at 8:20am heading to Philadelphia International Airport, had to make an emergency landing. The flight crew was indicated that the front nose gear hadn't come down and had to make a flyover the runway for confirmation. Of 35 passengers and 3 crew, there were no injuries. The aircraft incurred only minor damage and was returned to service shortly thereafter.
- January 1, 2011, US Airways Express Flight 4352, operated by Piedmont Airlines on a de Havilland Dash-8 turboprop forced an evacuation of the U.S. Capitol and fighter jets were scrambled from Andrews Air Force Base after Flight 4352 suffered radio problems on approach to Washington, DC's Washington–National and strayed into restricted airspace. The Capitol was evacuated for approximately 20 minutes until the Dash-8 aircraft landed at Reagan National Airport.
- May 18, 2013, US Airways Express Flight 4560 operated by Piedmont Airlines made a belly landing at Newark Liberty International Airport after landing gear would not extend. All passengers and crew members were evacuated safely.