The Rise and Fall of Atlantic Southeast Airlines Explained

Atlantic Southeast Airlines was a major player in the US regional airline industry, but its story is one of rapid growth and eventual decline.

The airline was founded in 1979 by a group of investors, and by the 1990s, it had become one of the largest regional airlines in the country.

Its rapid expansion was fueled by a series of acquisitions, including the purchase of several smaller airlines.

Atlantic Southeast Airlines operated a fleet of over 600 aircraft at its peak, but its fortunes began to decline in the early 2000s.

The airline's financial struggles were exacerbated by rising fuel costs and increased competition from other regional carriers.

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Atlantic Southeast Airlines was founded in March 1979 and started service in June of that year. It began with a single de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter turboprop aircraft.

The airline's first route was between Atlanta's Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport and Columbus Metropolitan Airport.

Atlantic Southeast Airlines operated its first flight on June 27, 1979, marking the beginning of its successful journey.

The airline maintained close ties with larger carriers, such as Delta, which brought them greater success and benefits.

Over the years, Atlantic Southeast operated various turboprops, including ATR72s, DASH 7s, and Embraer Brasilia aircraft.

In 1995, the airline added the BAe146, a more modern airliner, to its fleet.

Delta acquired Atlantic Southeast Airlines on March 22, 1999, increasing its stake to 100%.

The airline was later sold to SkyWest for $425 million in 2005.

Atlantic Southeast Airlines operated for 32 years, connecting countless cities across the Southeastern US and expanding north and west.

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Atlantic Southeast Airlines had a fleet of aircraft as of January 2011, with an average age of 8.4 years.

The airline operated a total of 168 aircraft, consisting of three different models: the Bombardier CRJ-200, CRJ-700, and CRJ-900.

Here's a breakdown of the fleet:

Most of the CRJ aircraft were operated for Delta Connection, but 14 CRJ-200 aircraft were also operated for United Express.

Atlantic Southeast Airlines had a few notable incidents throughout its history. One of the most significant was the crash of Flight 2366 in 1988, which resulted from engine failure on take-off.

Flight 2254 collided with a Civil Air Patrol Cessna 172 after takeoff from Northeast Alabama Regional Airport in 1990, resulting in an incident.

The crash of Flight 2311 in 1991 was particularly tragic, killing 23 people, including former U.S. Senator John Tower and astronaut Sonny Carter.

There were 9 fatalities in the crash of Flight 529 in 1995.

In 2011, Flight 5058 landed safely at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport despite having its left main undercarriage retracted.

Here are some notable incidents involving Atlantic Southeast Airlines:

In 2011, Atlantic Southeast Airlines underwent a significant transformation. On October 14, 2011, SkyWest Inc. announced that Atlantic Southeast's official company name would change to ExpressJet Airlines on December 31, 2011.

This change marked a new era for the airline, and it gained approval from the FAA for a single operating certificate. This allowed Atlantic Southeast and ExpressJet to become the world's largest regional airline with more than 400 planes.

The merger was a significant milestone for the company, and it paved the way for future growth and expansion.

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Atlantic Southeast Airlines offered a range of career opportunities, including flight attendant, pilot, and maintenance technician positions.

As a regional airline, Atlantic Southeast Airlines primarily focused on providing services to smaller airports, often in rural areas.

Their fleet of aircraft, which included the Bombardier CRJ-700 and Canadair CRJ-200, allowed them to efficiently operate in these markets.

Atlantic Southeast Airlines started operating flights for Delta Air Lines under the Delta Connection brand in May 1984.

This partnership was a win-win solution for both airlines, allowing them to expand their service.

Delta Air Lines purchased Atlantic Southeast Airlines in 1999, and the company was part of Delta for around six years.

During this time, Atlantic Southeast Airlines started international services to Toronto and added the Bombardier CRJ700 to its fleet.

Delta Air Lines sold Atlantic Southeast Airlines to SkyWest Airlines in September 2005.

Atlantic Southeast Airlines continued to operate the majority of its flights for Delta Air Lines but also added United Express services later.

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In 2010, United Airlines expanded its services with the help of SkyWest and ExpressJet Holdings, which merged to form ASA.

SkyWest entered into a merger agreement with ExpressJet Holdings for ASA, a major regional airline operating services under the Continental Express and United Express brands.

Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) began operating services for United Express in 2010, specifically with 14 of its fleet of over 160 aircraft.

These aircraft were all Bombardier CRJ Series aircraft, indicating a significant upgrade in United's regional fleet.

The majority of services at the time were still for Delta Connection, highlighting the complexity of the regional airline landscape.

United Airlines continued to grow its services, leveraging partnerships with regional airlines to expand its reach.

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Atlantic Southeast Airlines took to the skies for the first time on June 27, 1979, beginning the regional carriers' long and successful journey in the skies above the Southeastern United States and far beyond.

Their first flight was operated using a Twin Otter aircraft, which was a humble start to their impressive fleet that would eventually include turboprops like the Embraer Bandeirante and the ATR72.

In 1980, an Embraer Bandeirante turboprop was delivered, marking the beginning of a long relationship with Embraer aircraft.

By 1995, ASA had added the BAe146, a more modern airliner, to their fleet, showing their commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest technology.

On March 22, 1999, Delta acquired Atlantic Southeast Airlines, increasing their stake to one hundred percent, and operations commenced in May of that same year.

Delta Connection carrier commenced operations to Toronto, Canada from their Atlanta hub in 2000, expanding their reach even further.

In 2002, ASA began operating a Delta Connection CRJ700ER airplane, a more spacious version of earlier CRJ aircraft, providing passengers with a more comfortable travel experience.

The airline's fleet continued to evolve, with the addition of CRJ200ER, CRJ700ER, and the CRJ900ER aircraft by 2011.

On November 22, 2011, the FAA approved the single operating certificate under ExpressJet’s name, completing the merge and eliminating Atlantic Southeast’s brand after 32 years of service.

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