Four years ago, we spent weeks building an interactive chart visualizing the history of U.S. regional airlines. Not a week goes by we don't get a request for that chart to be updated. But, of course, it's not as simple as firing up ChatGPT and asking it nicely to extend the appropriate lines while ending far too many others. We finally relented and invested an irresponsible amount of time finding, updating, and republishing the popular chart.

Originally published in 2019, the chart depicted the U.S. regional airlines through 2020 - because what could possibly happen in a year? Yeah, well, things certainly happened.

Of course, COVID-19 ultimately translated into not-so-fun-20, and several regional airlines felt the axe. Compass Airlines, Transtates Airlines, and ExpressJet all exited the U.S. regional airline scene in 2020. Even though ExpressJet would be rebranded as Aha! a year later, that venture too, would fail, ending the once-largest regional airline's legacy in 2022.

But, as much as COVID changed the overall industry and fate of the three aforementioned regionals, it was the follow-up pilot shortage that put the sector into an existential crisis. Four years. Two monumental crises for the world's largest regional aviation market.

Even though Q4 is upon us in late October, we're not brazen enough to suggest things won't change by 2024. Herego, we present the history of the U.S. regional airlines in 3.3 decades.

Chart too small to read? Fear not, for we have a zoomable version with full interactivity available.

(Don't forget to check out white diamonds for some more detailed information on critical moments in each airline's history.)

A closer look at Scoot and Jetstar Asia

Recent reports published by AvBench look at the flix mixes of the A320 at Jetstar Asia and the 787-9 at Scoot.

Newsletter subscribers can read these detailed reports for free directly on the website.

Aircraft Intelligence Monthly

Topics covered in the October AIM:

• Latest PW1000 inspection estimates

• CFM56-7B shop visit costs versus LEAP-1B

• Growing concentration risk in OEM backlogs

• Widebody replacement cycle

• Global fares and traffic by region

• Brazilian market dynamics - things are getting interesting again

Visual Approach Research subscribers have access to the full report. You can learn more about subscribing here: https://visualapproach.io/pricing/

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