The United States Department of Transportation defines a major carrier or major airline carrier as a U.S.-based airline that posts more than $1 billion in operating revenue during a fiscal year, grouped accordingly as "Group III".[1]
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The "Big 4" U.S. airlines. Clockwise from top left: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines
Airlines
editThe Bureau of Transportation Statistics updates the listing of major airlines once per year. According to FY2025 operating revenues, 19 carriers[a] meet the requirement for Group III status:[3]
Mainline passenger
edit- Alaska Airlines (subsidiary of Alaska Air Group)
- Allegiant Air (subsidiary of Allegiant Travel Company)
- American Airlines*
- Delta Air Lines*
- Frontier Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines (subsidiary of Alaska Air Group)
- JetBlue
- Southwest Airlines*
- Sun Country Airlines (subsidiary of Allegiant Travel Company)
- United Airlines*
(*) - considered one of the "Big 4" U.S. airlines[4]
Regional passenger
edit- Envoy Air (subsidiary of American Airlines Group)
- PSA Airlines (subsidiary of American Airlines Group)
- Republic Airways
- SkyWest Airlines
Cargo
editSee also
editNotes
edit- ↑ Only 18 carriers are listed. A 19th designated Group III carrier, Spirit Airlines, ceased operations in May 2026.[2]
References
edit- ↑ "14 CFR 241.04 - Air Carrier Groupings". Code of Federal Regulations (PDF). US Government Publishing Office. p. 113.
- ↑ Chokshi, Niraj (May 2, 2026). "Spirit Airlines, a Pioneer of Low-Fare Flights, Shuts Down". The New York Times.
- ↑ Schmitt, Rolf R.; Tang, Lei (October 7, 2025) [effective January 1, 2026]. Air Carrier Groupings 2026 (PDF). Accounting and Reporting Directive of the Office of Airline Information (Report). Vol. 345. Washington, D.C.: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, United States Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
- ↑ Ember, Sydney (September 5, 2024). "4 Big Airlines Face U.S. Inquiry Over Frequent Flier Programs". The New York Times.