Hawaiian Airlines Joins SkyWest, Republic Airways, Envoy, Endeavor, and Other Regional Giants to Form an Unstoppable Fleet in U.S. Aviation, Now Set to Revolutionize Air Travel and Transform the Future of Connectivity!

Published on December 4, 2025

In a bold move that’s set to reshape the landscape of U.S. aviation, Hawaiian Airlines joins SkyWest, Republic Airways, Envoy, Endeavor, and other regional giants to create an unstoppable fleet. This partnership is poised to revolutionize air travel across the United States and transform the future of regional connectivity. As these major regional carriers unite, their combined fleets will enhance flight frequency, accessibility, and reliability, making air travel more seamless than ever before. The collaboration will ensure better coverage of smaller cities and regional hubs, directly benefiting passengers.

This significant development signals a new era in U.S. aviation, where major players in the regional market are coming together to meet the increasing demand for efficient, high-quality, and affordable air travel. With this powerful fleet, the future of U.S. connectivity looks more connected, dynamic, and ready for growth.

SkyWest Airlines: The Giant of Regional Aviation

SkyWest Airlines is undisputedly the largest regional airline in the U.S. It operates a staggering 450 aircraft and serves more than 240 cities across North America. SkyWest is a partner for all major U.S. carriers, including Delta, United, American Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. This allows it to operate a vast and flexible network, ensuring that travellers can access even the most remote destinations from major hubs like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

The airline’s fleet is made up of a mix of Embraer E175 jets and CRJ200/700/900 aircraft, which are perfect for regional routes. The combination of different aircraft types allows SkyWest to efficiently serve both high-traffic routes and smaller, less-demanding flights. Despite its size, SkyWest is able to operate with great flexibility, making multiple daily flights and responding quickly to any changes in its partners’ schedules.

Why SkyWest stands out: With its size and diversity, SkyWest is the ultimate regional powerhouse. It has mastered the art of adapting to the changing needs of major airlines, making it one of the most reliable and versatile regional carriers in the country.

Republic Airways and Mesa Air Group: A Merger for Strength

Republic Airways, known for its partnership with American Airlines (American Eagle), Delta Connection, and United Express, operates a fleet of 310 aircraft as of 2025. In a significant move, Republic merged with Mesa Air Group to create a larger, more competitive regional airline. The combined fleet now consists of Embraer E170/175 jets, which are ideal for serving shorter routes between smaller cities and larger hub airports.

This merger is a response to the increasing consolidation in the regional airline industry. By pooling resources, Republic Airways and Mesa Air Group can better compete against other regional giants, such as SkyWest. The new combined fleet allows Republic to operate over 1,250 daily departures, enhancing its ability to connect passengers to key destinations across the U.S.

Why the Republic-Mesa merger matters: The merger gives Republic Airways and Mesa Air Group the scale and resources to become a dominant player in regional aviation. By offering a larger, more modern fleet, they are well-positioned to provide reliable service to major airlines and passengers alike.

Envoy Air: The Backbone of American Airlines’ Regional Network

As the largest wholly-owned regional airline of American Airlines, Envoy Air plays a crucial role in the American Eagle network. With 160 aircraft in its fleet, primarily Embraer E175s and CRJ700s, Envoy connects smaller cities to American’s major hubs. From cities like Dallas and Phoenix, Envoy Air makes it possible for travellers to connect seamlessly to long-haul flights to Europe, Asia, and beyond.

Envoy’s strength lies in its deep integration with American Airlines. This provides the airline with a steady stream of passengers and ensures that it is well-supported by its parent company. Envoy’s regional jets allow it to serve high-frequency, high-demand routes, offering a reliable and efficient means of travel for those in smaller, underserved regions.

Why Envoy stands out: As part of American Airlines, Envoy enjoys a unique advantage. Its stable demand and efficient operations make it one of the most reliable regional carriers in the U.S.

Endeavor Air: Delta’s Regional Partner

Endeavor Air, operating under the Delta Connection brand, is another key player in regional aviation. Endeavor operates a fleet of over 180 aircraft, consisting mainly of CRJ200s, CRJ700s, and CRJ900s. These regional jets allow Endeavor to serve a wide range of routes, connecting Delta’s main hubs to smaller airports across the U.S.

Endeavor’s ability to maintain a large fleet of regional jets makes it a critical component of Delta’s regional network. The airline’s fleet, fully integrated with Delta’s operations, ensures smooth connections for passengers travelling to international destinations from Delta’s U.S. hubs. Endeavor plays a significant role in supporting Delta’s extensive network, particularly on shorter domestic routes.

Why Endeavor stands out: Endeavor Air’s close ties to Delta ensure that it remains an integral part of the airline’s operations. Its fleet of regional jets allows Delta to maintain its position as a major player in both domestic and international markets.

Hawaiian Airlines: A Unique Regional Carrier with Global Ambitions

While Hawaiian Airlines is better known for its long-haul international flights, it also plays a critical role in U.S. regional aviation. Hawaiian’s inter-island services connect the islands of Hawaii, offering frequent flights between Honolulu, Kahului, Kona, and Lihue. Hawaiian operates Boeing 717s for these short-haul flights, ensuring quick, efficient connections for travellers moving between Hawaii’s islands.

Beyond its inter-island network, Hawaiian has recently diversified by introducing cargo operations. The airline now operates a fleet of Airbus A330-300P2F freighters for Amazon Air, marking a significant shift in its business model. Hawaiian is the first U.S. airline to operate widebody freighters for Amazon, adding a unique revenue stream outside of passenger services.

Why Hawaiian Airlines stands out: Hawaiian’s unique position as both a regional airline and a global carrier sets it apart. Its inter-island services connect Hawaii’s islands, while its cargo operations allow it to diversify its revenue base and provide resilience during uncertain economic times.

The Challenges Facing U.S. Regional Airlines

While regional airlines are essential to U.S. air travel, they face significant challenges. Rising fuel costs, pilot shortages, and increasing competition from low-cost carriers make it difficult for regional airlines to maintain profitability. Moreover, many regional airlines operate with thin margins, relying heavily on their partnerships with major airlines to remain afloat.

Despite these challenges, regional airlines continue to adapt and evolve. Many are modernising their fleets with more fuel-efficient aircraft like the Embraer E175, which offers better range and fuel economy compared to older regional jets. These newer aircraft are critical for improving operational efficiency and meeting passenger expectations for comfort and reliability.

Another challenge facing regional airlines is the increasing consolidation of the industry. Mergers like the one between Republic Airways and Mesa Air Group are common as regional airlines look to pool resources and gain a competitive edge. While consolidation can lead to efficiencies, it can also reduce competition, leading to higher fares and fewer choices for passengers.

The Importance of Regional Airlines to the U.S. Aviation Network

Regional airlines are not just essential for connecting smaller cities to larger hubs; they also help major airlines maintain their competitive edge in an increasingly crowded market. By offering lower-cost, high-frequency services, regional carriers allow major airlines to focus on more profitable long-haul flights, while still serving a broad range of domestic destinations.

The role of regional carriers will continue to grow in the coming years as the demand for domestic travel increases. These airlines provide critical connectivity, making it easier for passengers to travel across the U.S., whether for business or leisure. Furthermore, with new technologies and aircraft coming online, regional airlines will be better equipped to meet the growing demand for air travel in a sustainable way.

The Unsung Heroes of U.S. Air Travel

Regional airlines in the U.S. are often overlooked in favour of their larger counterparts. However, they play an essential role in maintaining the functionality and accessibility of the U.S. air travel network. SkyWest, Republic Airways, Envoy Air, Endeavor Air, and Hawaiian Airlines all provide vital services that keep smaller cities connected to major hubs, enabling passengers to travel efficiently and reliably.

In 2025, regional carriers are more important than ever. They are modernising their fleets, expanding their routes, and diversifying their business models to ensure that air travel remains accessible and affordable for everyone. As they continue to adapt to new challenges, these regional carriers will remain the unsung heroes of U.S. aviation, providing an indispensable service to millions of travellers each year.

Source: Hawaiian Airlines