Major carrier

Major carrier or major airline carrier is a designation given by the United States Department of Transportation to U.S.-based airlines that post more than $1 billion in revenue during a fiscal year.^[1]

A US Airways Airbus A330-300 takes off from Manchester Airport, England.

As of 2010, there were 19 major carriers.

• AirTran Airways
• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines
• American Eagle Airlines
• Atlantic Southeast Airlines
• Atlas Air
• Comair
• Continental Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• FedEx Express
• Frontier Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• SkyWest Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• United Airlines
• UPS Airlines
• US Airways
• World Airways

The term "major carrier" or "major airline" can also refer to traditional legacy carriers, distinguishing them from startup and low-cost carriers.

It may also be used to indicate mainline service, in contrast to an airline's regional affiliates:

Mainline Carrier	Regional Marketing Affiliate Brand
AirTran Airways	No regional affiliates
Alaska Airlines	Alaska Horizon Alaska SkyWest
American Airlines	American Eagle American Connection
Atlas Air	All cargo
Continental Airlines	Continental Express Continental Connection
Delta Air Lines	Delta Connection
FedEx Express	All cargo - FedEx Feeder
Frontier Airlines	Frontier Express d/b/a "Frontier" "Frontier" operated by
JetBlue Airways	No regional affiliates
Southwest Airlines	No regional affiliates
United Airlines	United Express
UPS Airlines	All cargo
US Airways	US Airways Express

References

1. ^ Accounting and Reporting Directive Number 299, U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Office of Airline Information