{{Short description|Regional airline of the United States}} {{redirect|SkyWest||Skywest (disambiguation){{!}}Skywest}} {{Use American English|date=December 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}} {{Infobox airline | airline = SkyWest Airlines | image = File:N466SW LAX (30314755488).jpg | caption = Bombardier CRJ200 | logo = SkyWest Airlines (United States) logo.svg | logo_size = 225 | IATA = OO<ref name="iata">{{Cite web |title=IATA – Airline and Airport Code Search |url=http://www.iata.org/publications/Pages/code-search.aspx |website=iata.org |access-date=April 11, 2015}}</ref> | ICAO = SKW | callsign = SKYWEST | founded = {{start date and age|1972|04|26}} | aoc = SWIA011A<ref name="FAA">{{Cite web |title=Federal Aviation Administration – Airline Certificate Information – Detail View |url=https://av-info.faa.gov/detail.asp?DSGN_CODE=SWIA&OPER_FAR=121&OPER_NAME=SKYWEST+AIRLINES+INC |website=av-info.faa.gov |access-date=June 27, 2019}}</ref> | hubs = See § Network | alliance = Oneworld (affiliate under Alaska Airlines flights) | fleet_size = 498 | destinations = 256<ref name="Fact Sheet">{{Cite press release |title=Fact Sheet |date=December 31, 2025 |url=https://www.skywest.com/about-skywest-airlines/facts |access-date=March 31, 2025 |website=SkyWest Airlines}}</ref> | parent = SkyWest, Inc. | headquarters = St. George, Utah, U.S. | key_people = {{Unbulleted list| | Chip Childs (CEO & President) | James Welch (Chair) }} | num_employees = 14,610 (2024) | website = {{URL|skywest.com}} }}
'''SkyWest Airlines''' is an American regional airline headquartered in St. George, Utah. SkyWest operates and maintains aircraft used on flights that are scheduled, marketed, and sold by four partner mainline airlines. The company is contracted by Alaska Airlines (as Alaska SkyWest), American Airlines (as American Eagle), Delta Air Lines (as Delta Connection), and United Airlines (as United Express). In all, it is the largest regional airline in North America when measured by fleet size, number of passengers carried, and number of destinations served — and one of the largest airlines worldwide in terms of fleet size.
SkyWest operates from 256 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico with an extensive network of routes largely set up to connect passengers between smaller airports and the large hubs of its partner airlines. In total, SkyWest carried 46 million passengers in 2025.
On an average day in 2025, the company operated 2,260 flights, of which 940 ({{Percentage|940|2260}}) were United Express flights, 680 ({{Percentage|680|2260}}) were Delta Connection flights, 420 ({{Percentage|420|2260}}) were American Eagle flights, and 210 ({{Percentage|210|2260}}) were Alaska Airlines flights.
== History == Frustrated by the limited extent of existing air service, Ralph Atkin, a St. George, Utah, lawyer, purchased '''Dixie Airlines''' on April 26, 1972, to shuttle businessmen to Salt Lake City.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Arnoult |first=Sandra |date=April 2005 |title=SkyWest thrives on the Atkin diet |work=Air Transport World |url=http://atwonline.com/airline-financedata/article/skywest-thrives-atkin-diet-0309 |access-date=February 10, 2012}}</ref> After early struggles, SkyWest began a steady expansion across the western U.S. It became the eleventh largest regional carrier in 1984 when it acquired Sun Aire Lines of Palm Springs, California, and had its initial public offering in 1986.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of NASDAQ IPO dates |url=http://www.nasdaq.com/screening/companies-by-name.aspx?letter=S&pagesize=200&page=2&industry=Transportation |publisher=NASDAQ |access-date=June 23, 2011}}</ref> thumb|left|Embraer EMB-120ER "Brasilia"
In early 1986, SkyWest began codesharing as Western Express, a feeder service for Western Airlines at its Salt Lake City hub and other mainline Western destinations utilizing Embraer EMB 120 and Fairchild Metroliner turboprop aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 1, 1987 |title=Western Airlines Route Map |url=http://www.departedflights.com/WA030187.html |access-date=August 2, 2021 |website=departedflights.com}}</ref> Following the acquisition and merger of Western by Delta Air Lines in 1987, SkyWest then became a Delta Connection air carrier with codeshare service being flown on behalf of Delta to destinations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming.<ref name="History">{{Cite press release |title=History |date=2017 |url=https://files-skywest-com.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/Uploads/Documents/History/2017-SkyWest-Airlines-History.pdf |access-date=August 2, 2021 |website=SkyWest Airlines}}</ref><ref name="departedflights.com">{{Cite web |date=April 3, 1988 |title=SkyWest Airlines Route Map |url=http://www.departedflights.com/OO040388.html |access-date=August 2, 2021 |website=departedflights.com}}</ref>
From 1995 through 1997, SkyWest operated codeshare service for Continental Airlines as Continental Connection on flights out of Los Angeles that were also operated as Delta Connection.
In 1997, SkyWest began operating as United Express in addition to Delta Connection on flights out of United Airlines hubs at SFO, LAX and DEN. SkyWest became United's largest United Express operation by the late 1990s. Flights were initially operated with Embraer EMB 120s and Bombardier CRJ200 regional jets. CRJ700s were added in the early 2000s and the Embraer 175 were added in 2014.
A partnership with Continental was revived in 2003 as Continental Connection out of George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston but was discontinued in June 2005. This operation used Embraer EMB 120s.
On August 15, 2005, Delta sold Atlantic Southeast Airlines to the newly incorporated SkyWest, Inc., for $425 million in cash.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nii |first=Jenifer K. |date=August 16, 2005 |title=SkyWest deal: St. George-based firm buys Delta's ASA |work=Deseret Morning News |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/600156127/SkyWest-deal-St-George-based-firm-buys-Deltas-ASA.html?pg=all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307154930/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/600156127/SkyWest-deal-St-George-based-firm-buys-Deltas-ASA.html?pg=all |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 7, 2014 |access-date=August 23, 2013}}</ref> The acquisition was completed on September 8, 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SKYWEST COMPLETES PURCHASE OF ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST AIRLINES |url=http://inc.skywest.com/invest/investor_releases/2005/Sept/ASAClosingRelease.pdf |publisher=SkyWest, Inc. |access-date=August 23, 2013}}</ref>
In 2007, SkyWest began code sharing with Midwest Airlines at its hubs in Milwaukee and Kansas City using Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft. In 2010 the codeshare with Midwest had ended, and a new codeshare agreement began with AirTran Airways at Milwaukee. On September 6, 2011, AirTran Airways ended its codesharing and partnership with SkyWest.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Southwest to end AirTran's codesharing with SkyWest on Sept. 6 {{pipe}} Dallas News |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/business/airlines/2011/06/13/southwest-to-end-airtrans-code |date=June 13, 2011 |publisher=The Dallas Morning News Inc. |access-date=June 5, 2018}}</ref> Shortly after, SkyWest began a codesharing agreement with US Airways to operate CRJ200 aircraft from US Airways' hub in Phoenix, Arizona.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Media Room |url=http://www.skywest.com/media/Press%20Releases/08_04_11_SkyWest_and_US_Airways_LOI_ReleaseFINAL.pdf |publisher=SkyWest.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927004412/http://www.skywest.com/media/Press%20Releases/08_04_11_SkyWest_and_US_Airways_LOI_ReleaseFINAL.pdf |archive-date=September 27, 2011 |access-date=April 3, 2012}}</ref>
On August 4, 2010, SkyWest, Inc., announced that it planned to acquire ExpressJet and merge it with SkyWest subsidiary Atlantic Southeast Airlines in a deal reported to have a value of $133 million. The purchase aligned the largest commuter operations of United Airlines and Continental Airlines, who were in a merger process, and was approved on September 13, 2010, by the Federal Trade Commission.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FTC transaction granted (Early termination) |url=http://www.ftc.gov/bc/earlyterm/2010/09/et100913.pdf |publisher=FTC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018181520/http://ftc.gov/bc/earlyterm/2010/09/et100913.pdf |archive-date=October 18, 2011 |access-date=June 24, 2011}}</ref>
In May 2011, SkyWest replaced Horizon Air on six routes on the West Coast being operated for Alaska Airlines. The flights were based out of Seattle and Portland and flew to several California cities, including Fresno, Burbank, Santa Barbara and Ontario. Horizon Air had been operating these routes with Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft; however Horizon retired this aircraft from its fleet. Alaska Airlines had a similar agreement with PenAir for Alaskan flights and Horizon Air for flights in the lower 48.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alaska Airlines Announces Routes, Schedule for New Partner |url=http://splash.alaskasworld.com/Newsroom/ASNews/ASstories/AS_20110225_045502.asp |date=February 25, 2011 |publisher=Alaska Airlines |access-date=March 24, 2011 |archive-date=March 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307160124/http://splash.alaskasworld.com/Newsroom/ASNews/ASstories/AS_20110225_045502.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref>
On November 15, 2012, SkyWest began a capacity purchase agreement with American Airlines for 12 Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft operating as American Eagle from American's hub in Los Angeles, California.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SkyWest, Inc. Announces Agreement With American Airlines; Adds Major Code Share Partner {{pipe}} PR Newswire |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/skywest-inc-announces-agreement-with-american-airlines-adds-major-code-share-partner-169435116.html/ |date=September 12, 2012 |publisher=PR Newswire Association LLC |access-date=June 5, 2018}}</ref> This codeshare agreement with American was greatly expanded over the next several years to include destinations from American's hubs at Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Phoenix. Larger CRJ700/900 aircraft were introduced to the American Eagle system in 2016, and the smaller CRJ200s were discontinued in 2020. Embraer 175 aircraft joined the American Eagle system in late 2021.
[[File:N199SY SkyWest Embraer 175 for Alaska Airlines.jpg|thumb|right|Embraer 175, operated for Alaska Airlines]]
On September 6, 2017, SkyWest Airlines reported that it has entered into aircraft purchase agreements and capacity purchase agreements to acquire and fly 15 new aircraft with Delta Air Lines and 10 new aircraft with Alaska Airlines. Of the 25 aircraft, 15 Embraer 175SC aircraft will fly under an agreement with Delta in a 70-seat configuration. The Embraer 175SC is built on the same airframe as other Embraer 175 aircraft and can be retrofitted to 76 seats in the future. The agreement with Alaska includes 10 Embraer 175 aircraft which will be configured with 76 seats, similar to aircraft SkyWest has previously placed into service with Alaska. Expected delivery dates of the 25 aircraft run from March 2018 through the end of 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |last=SkyWest, Inc. |date=September 6, 2017 |title=SkyWest, Inc. Announces Order of 25 New Aircraft, New Flying Agreements |work=PRNewswire |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/skywest-inc-announces-order-of-25-new-aircraft-new-flying-agreements-300514190.html |access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref>
On December 18, 2018, SkyWest, Inc. announced that it would sell ExpressJet Airlines to another airline holding company with ties to United Airlines, ExpressJet's sole client.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 18, 2018 |title=SkyWest, Inc. Enters into Agreement to Sell ExpressJet Airlines |url=http://www.skywest.com/assets/Uploads/PressReleases/SKYW-ExpressJet-transaction-13.18.18-FINAL.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415194954/http://www.skywest.com/assets/Uploads/PressReleases/SKYW-ExpressJet-transaction-13.18.18-FINAL.pdf |archive-date=April 15, 2019 |website=SkyWest Airlines}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=There is a Reason United's Purchase of ExpressJet is So Complicated |url=https://crankyflier.com/2018/12/20/there-is-a-reason-uniteds-purchase-of-expressjet-is-so-complicated/ |last=Snyder |first=Brett |date=December 20, 2018 |website=Cranky Flier |access-date=January 25, 2019}}</ref> The $70 million sale closed on January 23, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ManaAir Announces Completion of ExpressJet Airlines Acquisition |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/manaair-announces-completion-of-expressjet-airlines-acquisition-300782757.html |last=ExpressJet Airlines |author-link=Expressjet Airlines |date=January 23, 2019 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en |access-date=January 25, 2019}}</ref>
In early 2024, regional carrier SkyWest Airlines purchased a 25% ownership stake of Contour Airlines to gain access to its infrastructure, personnel, and operational expertise as it launches its own Part 135 operation. SkyWest also plans to supply Contour with CRJ200 aircraft and partner with the airline to both recruit young pilots and provide opportunities to pilots who would otherwise need to retire due to age.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hardee |first=Howard |title=SkyWest acquires partial ownership of US charter operator Contour Airlines |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/strategy/skywest-acquires-partial-ownership-of-us-charter-operator-contour-airlines/156760.article |access-date=February 2, 2024 |website=Flight Global |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ewing |first=Ryan |date=February 2, 2024 |title=SkyWest Acquires Stake in Contour Airlines, Bolsters Charter Presence |url=https://airlinegeeks.com/2024/02/02/skywest-acquires-stake-in-contour-airlines-bolsters-charter-presence/ |access-date=February 2, 2024 |work=AirlineGeeks.com |publisher=Firecrown}}</ref>
In March 2024, SkyWest Airlines signed a deal with United Airlines to operate an additional 20 Embraer 175 aircraft for United Express. Unlike other aircraft, these are financed by United Airlines, not SkyWest.<ref name="Wolfsteller 2024">{{Cite web |last=Wolfsteller |first=Pilar |date=March 4, 2024 |title=SkyWest adds another 20 Embraer E175s to United fleet |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/fleets/skywest-adds-another-20-embraer-e175s-to-united-fleet/157227.article |access-date=March 5, 2024 |website=Flight Global |language=en}}</ref>
== Corporate affairs ==
=== Business model === Approximately 87% of SkyWest's flights operate under capacity purchase agreements. Under a capacity purchase agreement, the partner airline generally pays a fixed-fee for each departure, flight hour (measured from takeoff to landing, excluding taxi time) and block hour (measured from takeoff to landing, including taxi time) and an amount per aircraft in service each month with additional incentives based on completion of flights, on-time performance and other operating metrics. The remaining 13% of flights are operated under a pro-rate agreement, with SkyWest assuming all costs, setting fares, retaining all revenue from non-connecting passengers, and splitting the fares of connecting passengers on a pro-rated basis with the partner airline. SkyWest currently operates on a pro-rate agreement with United Airlines utilizing approximately 25 CRJ200 aircraft, and with Delta Air Lines utilizing 16 CRJ700/CRJ550 aircraft and 1 CRJ900 aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SkyWest, Inc. 2024 Annual Investor Report |url=https://inc.skywest.com/assets/Uploads/AnnualReports/2024-Annual-Report-and-Proxy-Statement.pdf |access-date=October 28, 2025 |publisher=SkyWest, Inc.}}</ref>
As of early 2021, SkyWest operates in 50 smaller cities that are subsidized under the federal government's Essential Air Service program. 36 are served under the United Express brand and 14 under the Delta Connection brand. The state of Wyoming subsidizes service to four other airports in Wyoming and operates under the United Express brand. Most subsidized routes are flown with Bombardier CRJ200 regional jets, while others are flown with the Bombardier CRJ550 (part of the Bombardier CRJ700 series).
=== Financials === SkyWest is a subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc., an airline holding company that also provides contract ground handling services. SkyWest Airlines' performance figures are fully incorporated into the accounts of its parent company, SkyWest, Inc. SkyWest Airlines stand alone figures ('SkyWest Airlines segment' data in the Group accounts) are shown below:
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;text-align:center;" |- ! ! 2012 ! 2013 ! 2014 ! 2015 ! 2016 ! 2017 ! 2018 ! 2019 ! 2020 ! 2021 ! 2022 ! 2023 ! 2024 ! 2025 |- | align="left" |Revenue (in millions of US$) | 1,930 | 1,828 | 1,874 | 1,848 | 1,935 | 2,173 | 2,346 | 2,479 | 1,637 | 2,615 | 2,900 | 2,935 | 3,528 ! 4,058 |- | align="left" |Profit before tax (in millions of US$) | 106 | 140 | 76 | 182 | 23 | 263 | 307 | 250 | {{color|red|(92)}} | 151 | 93 | 40 | 432 ! 566 |- | align="left" |Number of passengers (in millions) | | | | | | | 40.3 | 43.7 | 21.3 | 36.6 | 40.1 | 38.6 | 42.3 ! 46.0 |- | align="left" |Number of aircraft{{efn|Number of aircraft in scheduled service or under code-share agreements contract at year end. Does not include aircraft leased to other carriers.}} | | 334 | 362 | 348 | 368 | 422 | 470 | 483 | 452 | 509 | 517 | 485 | 492 ! 487 |- | align="left" |<small>''Notes/sources''</small> | <ref name="2013 Report" /> | <ref name="2014 Report" /><ref name="2013 Report">{{Cite web |title=SkyWest, Inc. Annual Report year ended December 31, 2013 on Form 10-K |url=http://inc.skywest.com/assets/Uploads/FilingReports/SKYW-10-K-12-31-2013.pdf |date=February 14, 2014 |access-date=March 29, 2020}}</ref> | <ref name="2015 Report" /><ref name="2014 Report">{{Cite web |title=SkyWest, Inc. Annual Report year ended December 31, 2014 on Form 10-K |url=http://inc.skywest.com/assets/Uploads/FilingReports/SKYW-10-K-12-31-2014.pdf |date=February 18, 2015 |access-date=March 29, 2020}}</ref> | <ref name="2016 Report" /><ref name="2015 Report">{{Cite web |title=SkyWest, Inc. Annual Report year ended December 31, 2015 on Form 10-K |url=http://inc.skywest.com/assets/Uploads/FilingReports/SKYW-10-K-12-31-2015.pdf |date=February 26, 2016 |access-date=March 29, 2020}}</ref> | <ref name="2017 Report" /><ref name="2016 Report">{{Cite web |title=SkyWest, Inc. Annual Report year ended December 31, 2016 on Form 10-K |url=http://inc.skywest.com/assets/Uploads/FilingReports/SKYW-10-K-12-31-2016.PDF |date=February 27, 2017 |access-date=March 29, 2020}}</ref> | <ref name="2018 Report" /><ref name="2017 Report">{{Cite web |title=SkyWest, Inc. Annual Report year ended December 31, 2017 on Form 10-K |url=http://inc.skywest.com/assets/Uploads/FilingReports/SKYW-10-K-12-31-2017.pdf |date=February 26, 2018 |access-date=March 28, 2020}}</ref> | <ref name="2019 Report" /><ref name="2018 Report">{{Cite web |title=SkyWest, Inc. Annual Report year ended December 31, 2018 on Form 10-K |url=http://inc.skywest.com/assets/Uploads/AnnualReports/SkyWestInc2018AnnualReport.pdf |date=February 21, 2019 |access-date=March 28, 2020}}</ref> | <ref name="2019 Report">{{Cite web |title=SkyWest, Inc. Annual Report year ended December 31, 2019 on Form 10-K |url=http://inc.skywest.com/assets/Uploads/FilingReports/SKYW-10-K-12-31-2019-2.pdf |date=February 18, 2020 |access-date=March 26, 2020}}</ref> | {{efn|2020: Activities and income in fiscal 2020 were severely reduced by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic}}<ref name="2020 Report">{{Cite web |date=February 16, 2021 |title=SkyWest, Inc. Annual Report year ended December 31, 2020 on Form 10-K |url=https://inc.skywest.com/assets/Uploads/FilingReports/skyw-Current-folio-10K2.pdf |access-date=December 28, 2021}}</ref> | <ref name="2021 Report">{{Cite web |title=SkyWest, Inc. Annual Report year ended December 31, 2021 on Form 10-K |url=https://inc.skywest.com/assets/Uploads/FilingReports/skyw-Current-folio-10K-2021.pdf|date=February 17, 2022 |access-date=April 6, 2022}}</ref> | <ref name="2022 Report">{{Cite web |title=SkyWest, Inc. Annual Report year ended December 31, 2022 on Form 10-K |url=https://inc.skywest.com/assets/Uploads/AnnualReports/Annual-Report-and-Proxy-Statement.pdf|date=February 16, 2023 |access-date=May 13, 2022}}</ref> |<ref name="2023 Report">{{Cite web |date=February 15, 2024 |title=SkyWest, Inc. Annual Report year ended December 31, 2023 on Form 10-K |url=https://inc.skywest.com/assets/Uploads/FilingReports/SKYW-2023-10-K.pdf |access-date=May 13, 2024}}</ref> |<ref name="2024 Report">{{Cite web |date=February 13, 2025 |title=SkyWest, Inc. Annual Report year ended December 31, 2024 on Form 10-K |url=https://inc.skywest.com/assets/Uploads/FilingReports/SKYW-2024-10-K.pdf |access-date=February 19, 2025}}</ref> |<ref name="2025 Report">{{Cite web |date=February 17, 2026 |title=SkyWest, Inc. Annual Report year ended December 31, 2025 on Form 10-K |url=https://inc.skywest.com/assets/Uploads/FilingReports/SKYW-2025-10K2.pdf |access-date=March 31, 2025}}</ref> |- | colspan="15" style="text-align:left;" |{{notelist}} |}
== Network == {{as of|2025|12}}, SkyWest flies to 256 destinations throughout North America across 45 states and Washington D.C., 5 Canadian provinces and 12 Mexican cities.<ref name="Fact Sheet" /> {{col-float}} '''Hubs'''<ref name="Fact Sheet" /> *Chicago–O'Hare (American, United) *Denver (United) *Detroit (Delta) *Houston–Intercontinental (United) *Los Angeles (Alaska, American, Delta, United) *Minneapolis/St. Paul (Delta) *Phoenix–Sky Harbor (American) *Portland (OR) (Alaska) *Salt Lake City (Delta) *San Francisco (Alaska, United) *Seattle/Tacoma (Alaska, Delta) {{col-float-break}} '''Crew bases'''<ref name="Fact Sheet" /> *Austin *Atlanta *Boise *Chicago–O'Hare *Colorado Springs *Dallas/Fort Worth *Denver *Detroit *Fresno *Houston–Intercontinental *Los Angeles *Minneapolis/St. Paul *Palm Springs *Phoenix–Sky Harbor *Portland (OR) *Salt Lake City *San Diego *San Francisco *Seattle/Tacoma *Tucson {{col-float-break}} '''Maintenance bases'''<ref name="Fact Sheet" /> *Boise *Chicago–O'Hare *Colorado Springs *Detroit *Fresno *Milwaukee *Nashville *Oklahoma City *Palm Springs *Shreveport *Salt Lake City *South Bend *Tucson {{col-float-end}}
== Fleet == [[File:N730SK United Express Canadair CL-600-2C10 Regional Jet CRJ-701ER - cn 10193 - McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas.jpg|thumb|A Bombardier CRJ700, operated for United Express]] [[File:Delta Connection E175LR N310SY IND.jpg|thumb|Embraer 175, operated for Delta Connection]]
=== Current fleet === SkyWest has the largest fleet of any regional airline in the United States. Since 2015, the airline has exclusively operated jet aircraft. Most SkyWest aircraft are painted in the livery of partner carriers, but SkyWest does have a small number of aircraft in its own livery that can be operated for any partner airline as needed.
SkyWest is a major operator of the Bombardier CRJ family of regional jets, was the launch customer for CRJ200, is the largest operator of the CRJ200 and took delivery of the last CRJ ever built, a CRJ900.<ref name="Swartz 2021">{{cite news |last1=Swartz |first1=Kenneth I. |date=May 11, 2021 |title=30 years marked since maiden flight of Canadair Regional Jet |url=https://skiesmag.com/news/30-years-marked-since-maiden-flight-canadair-regional-jet/ |access-date=February 22, 2024 |work=Skies Mag}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kleps |first1=Kochan |date=March 1, 2021 |title=Final Bombardier CRJ Comes off Production Line |url=https://airwaysmag.com/industry/final-crj-delivered/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812034149/https://airwaysmag.com/industry/final-crj-delivered/ |archive-date=August 12, 2021 |access-date=March 6, 2021 |work=Airways Magazine}}</ref><ref name="SkyWest History">{{cite web |date=2023 |title=SkyWest History |url=https://files-skywest-com.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/Uploads/Documents/History/2023-SkyWest-History.pdf |access-date=February 22, 2024 |website=SkyWest Airlines |publisher=}}</ref> The airline is also the largest operator of the Embraer 175.<ref name="Embraer order 2025-06">{{Cite web |date=June 18, 2025 |title=SkyWest Places Firm Order For 60 Embraer Aircraft |url=https://embraer.com/global/en/news?slug=1207589-skywest-places-firm-order-for-60-embraer-aircraft |access-date=June 18, 2025 |website=Embraer |language=en}}</ref>
Like most regional airlines in the United States, SkyWest is subject to scope clause requirements of its mainline carrier partners and their pilot unions; those requirements limit the size of the number aircraft flown by a regional airline of a particular seating capacity or max gross takeoff weight.
{{As of|2025|12}}, SkyWest Airlines operates the following aircraft:<ref name="2025 Report" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 11, 2025 |title=Delta Air Lines, Inc. 2024 Form 10-K |url=https://s2.q4cdn.com/181345880/files/doc_financials/2024/q4/DAL-12-31-2024-10K-2-11-25-Filed.pdf |page=29 |access-date=February 17, 2025}}</ref><ref name="Embraer order 2025-06" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 12, 2026 |title=Form 10-K |url=https://ir.united.com/static-files/3325136f-9671-4f16-9ffa-bf8ba8449a88 |access-date=February 17, 2026 |website=United Airlines Holdings, Inc. |page=34}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable sticky-header-multi" style="text-align:center;margin:auto;" |+ SkyWest Airlines fleet |- ! rowspan="2"| Aircraft ! rowspan="2"| In service ! rowspan="2"| Orders ! colspan="4"| Passengers ! rowspan="2"| Operated for ! rowspan="2"| Notes |- ! <abbr title="First">F</abbr> ! <abbr title="Premium Economy">Y+</abbr> ! <abbr title="Economy">Y</abbr> ! Total |- | rowspan="2" |Bombardier CRJ200 |58 |— |— |4 |46 |50 |United Express | |- |11 |— |— |30 |— |30 |SkyWest Charter | |- |Bombardier CRJ450 |— |50 |7 |16 |18 |41 |United Express |Converted CRJ200s entering service in Fall 2026 through 2028.<ref name="CRJ450">{{Cite web |last=Klint|first=Matthew|date=March 24, 2026|title=United's New CRJ450 Promises a "Private Jet" Feel on a Regional Jet|url=https://liveandletsfly.com/united-crj450-regional-jet/|access-date=March 24, 2026|website=Live and Let's Fly|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Miller |first=Seth |date=March 24, 2026 |title=United Airlines Launches CRJ450, Premium Twist on CRJ200 |url=https://paxex.aero/united-airlines-crj450-premium-twist-crj200/ |language=en-US |access-date=March 29, 2026 |website=PaxEx.Aero}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" |Bombardier CRJ550 |14 |5 |10 |20 |20 |50 |Delta Connection | rowspan="2" |All are conversions of previous CRJ700 aircraft. |- |26 |24 |10 |20 |20 |50 |United Express |- | rowspan="4" |Bombardier CRJ700 |68 | rowspan="4" |— |9 |16 |40 |65 |American Eagle | rowspan="3" |All CRJ700 to be replaced by Embraer 175 in 2027.<ref name="Embraer order 2025-06" /> |- | rowspan="2" |4 |9 |12 |44 |65 | rowspan="2" |Delta Connection |- |9 |16 |44 |69 |- |11 |6 |16 |48 |70 |United Express |To be replaced by Embraer 175 by 2026 and converted into CRJ550.<ref name="Hardee 2023">{{Cite web |last=Hardee |first=Howard |date=October 26, 2023 |title=SkyWest orders 19 new E175s to fly on behalf of United |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/fleets/skywest-orders-19-new-e175s-to-fly-on-behalf-of-united/155566.article |access-date=November 1, 2023 |website=Flight Global |language=en}}</ref><ref name="SEC Report">{{Cite web |date=February 13, 2025 |title=SkyWest, Inc. Quarterly Report, period ended March 31, 2025 on Form 10-Q |url=https://inc.skywest.com/assets/Uploads/FilingReports/SKYW-Q1-2025-10-Q-FINAL.pdf |access-date=May 22, 2025 }}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" |Bombardier CRJ900 | rowspan="2" |28 | rowspan="2" |— | rowspan="2" |12 | rowspan="2" |20 |38 |70 | rowspan="2" |Delta Connection | rowspan="2" | 11 aircraft to be replaced by Embraer 175 in 2027.<ref name="Embraer order 2025-06" /> |- |44 |76 |- |8{{Citation needed|date=May 2026}} |—{{Citation needed|date=May 2026}} |12 |24 |40 |76 |American Eagle{{Citation needed|date=May 2026}} |To be transferred from Mesa Airlines and Delta Connection.{{Citation needed|date=May 2026}} |- | rowspan="7" |Embraer 175 |42 |1 |12 |16 |48 |76 |Alaska Airlines |Delivery scheduled for 2026. |- |20 |— |12 |20 |44 |76 |American Eagle | |- | rowspan="2" |87 |— | rowspan="2" |12 | rowspan="2" |20 |38 |70 | rowspan="2" |Delta Connection | |- |16 |44 |76 |Deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027. |- | rowspan="2" |121 |8 | rowspan="2" |12 |32 |26 |70 | rowspan="2" |United Express |Deliveries scheduled through 2026.<ref name="Hardee 2023" /><ref name="Wolfsteller 2024" /> |- |— |16 |48 |76 | |- |— |44 | colspan="4" |{{Abbr|TBA|To be announced}} |{{Abbr|TBA|To be announced}} |Deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027. Options for additional 50.<ref name="Embraer order 2025-06" /> |- !Fleet total !498 !148 ! colspan="6" | |}
Note: the above chart only shows aircraft in scheduled service. It does not include aircraft owned by SkyWest but that are: leased to other operators, removed from service, transitioning between agreements with partners, used as spares, parked, or in the process of being parted out.<ref name="SEC Report" />
=== Historical fleet === SkyWest previously operated Embraer EMB 120 turboprop aircraft until 2015. The airline also operated Fairchild Metroliner turboprops.<ref name="History" /> In 1984, SkyWest was operating the largest Metro propjet fleet in the world with 26 aircraft, and by 1991 the Metro fleet had grown to 35 aircraft with 15 Brasilia propjets also being operated.<ref name="History" /> By 1994, the first jet, a Bombardier CRJ100, was added to the fleet and by 1996 all of the Metro propjets had been retired as they were progressively replaced with Brasilia aircraft.<ref name="History" /> SkyWest was also the launch customer for the CRJ200 regional jet.
According to the airline's website, at its inception SkyWest was operating all flights in the early 1970s with small propeller-driven, piston-engine aircraft, including:<ref name="History" />
* Piper Cherokee 140 – two passenger seats * Piper Cherokee Arrow – four passenger seats * Piper Cherokee Six – six passenger seats * Piper Navajo – eight passenger seats * Piper Navajo Chieftain – nine passenger seats
== Lawsuits == In October 2023, SkyWest was sued by the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA), who alleged that the company illegally fired two flight attendants as retaliation for engaging in protected union organizing activities and that the company illegally stood up a company union in violation of the Railway Labor Act.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Sainato |first=Michael |date=August 14, 2024 |title=SkyWest Airlines facing federal lawsuit over alleged 'fake company union' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/14/skywest-airlines-fake-union-lawsuit |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822143136/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/14/skywest-airlines-fake-union-lawsuit |archive-date=August 22, 2024 |access-date=September 5, 2024 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |last2= |date=October 11, 2023 |title=Flight Attendant Union Sues SkyWest for Illegal Termination and Fake Company Union |url=https://www.afacwa.org/afa_sues_skywest_illegal_termination_fake_company_union |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814102542/https://www.afacwa.org/afa_sues_skywest_illegal_termination_fake_company_union |archive-date=August 14, 2024 |access-date=September 5, 2024 |website=Association of Flight Attendants-CWA |language=en}}</ref>
In July 2024, the US Department of Labor also sued SkyWest, alleging that company financially supported and controlled the SkyWest Inflight Association (SIA) as a company union, and that the SIA under SkyWest's control failed to perform its duties as a representative agency and illegally barred two employees from running for leadership positions due to their support for an independent labor union.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sollitt |first=Shannon |date=July 17, 2024 |title=Utah in-house union, already under member scrutiny, faces new turbulence: a federal lawsuit |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/business/2024/07/17/utah-in-house-union-already-under/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802133738/https://www.sltrib.com/news/business/2024/07/17/utah-in-house-union-already-under/ |archive-date=August 2, 2024 |access-date=September 5, 2024 |website=The Salt Lake Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Accidents and incidents == * January 15, 1987: SkyWest Airlines Flight 1834, a Fairchild Metroliner, collided with a Mooney M20 transporting an instructor and a student, while on a flight between Pocatello, Idaho, and Salt Lake City, in the vicinity of Kearns, Utah.<ref name=macolrde>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=SRcpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4YMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6044%2C4952439 |work=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |last=Finch |first=Mary |title=Mid-air collision rains debris over Kearns |date=January 15, 1987 |page=A1}}</ref><ref name=tdicrsh>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lo9fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yDAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4941%2C3836 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho |agency=Associated Press |last=Sullivan |first=Laurie |title=10 die in mid-air crash near Salt Lake airport |date=January 16, 1987 |page=1A}}</ref> All ten aboard both planes, eight on Flight 1834 and two in the Mooney, were killed. The accident was found to be a navigation error of the student pilot aboard the Mooney.<ref name=spldrft>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=I05TAAAAIBAJ&sjid=64MDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5707%2C6367 |work=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |title=Smaller plane drifted into the flight path of Sky West commuter, flight officials say |date=January 16, 1987 |page=A1}}</ref><ref name=pmafl>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=l49fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yDAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3822%2C283656 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho |agency=Associated Press |title=Plane may have flown into the restricted space, officials say |date=January 17, 1987 |page=1A}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ASN Aircraft accident Swearingen SA226-TC Metro II N163SW Kearns, UT |url=http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19870115-0 |date=January 15, 1987 |publisher=Aviation-safety.net |access-date=October 3, 2012}}</ref> * January 15, 1990: SkyWest Airlines Flight 5855, a Fairchild Metroliner, collided with terrain during an instrument approach to Elko, Nevada. There were four serious and nine minor injuries, but no fatalities.<ref name=csrvcblsg>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4R4PAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xoQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2909%2C18309 |work=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |last=West |first=Brian T. |title=Crash survivors count blessings |date=January 16, 1990 |page=A1}}</ref><ref name=fewinj>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2VhYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9fkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6906%2C2000840 |work=Spokane Chronicle |location=Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Few injured in three airliner accidents |date=January 16, 1990 |page=A13}}</ref> The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and was written off.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ASN Aircraft accident Fairchild SA227-AC Metro III N2721M Elko Airport, NV (EKO) |url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19900115-1 |access-date=November 7, 2023 |website=aviation-safety.net}}</ref> * February 1, 1991: SkyWest Airlines Flight 5569, a Fairchild Metroliner, was awaiting departure clearance on an active runway at Los Angeles International Airport for a scheduled flight to Palmdale when USAir Flight 1493, a Boeing 737-300 arriving from Columbus, Ohio, collided with it while it was landing. SkyWest 5569 was directed hold on runway 24L, one minute later, US1493 was cleared to land on 24L by the same controller. The 737 landed on the SkyWest aircraft. The two planes slid down the runway, then off to the side, coming to rest against an unoccupied firehouse, and burst into flames. All twelve on the SkyWest aircraft were killed (ten passengers and two pilots), and 22 of the 89 aboard the 737 died (20 passengers, one pilot, and one flight attendant). The cause was found to be air traffic controller error.<ref name=coldnon>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mg0zAAAAIBAJ&sjid=l_ADAAAAIBAJ&pg=2697%2C705105 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |last=Antczak |first=John |title=At least 15 killed and 25 hurt as jet, commuter plane collide |date=February 2, 1991 |page=A1}}</ref><ref name=cnalld>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mw0zAAAAIBAJ&sjid=l_ADAAAAIBAJ&pg=5899%2C1231367 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Controller allowed airplane on runway, then let jet land |date=February 3, 1991 |page=A11}}</ref><ref name=tplsmrun>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ElNWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zesDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2916%2C634137 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=Oregon |agency=(Los Angeles Times)|last1=Malnic |first1=Eric |last2=Wilkinson |first2=Tracy |title=Controller directed 2 planes to same runway |date=February 3, 1991 |page=1A}}</ref> * May 26, 2007: SkyWest Airlines Flight 5741, an Embraer EMB 120, was involved in a serious runway incursion when the plane nearly collided with Republic Airways Flight 4912, an Embraer 170, on intersecting runways at San Francisco International Airport. There were no reported injuries to passengers and no reported damage to either aircraft. The cause was found to be air traffic controller error.<ref name="NTSB final">{{Cite web |date=November 30, 2007 |title=National Transportation Safety Board Aviation Incident Final Report: incident number OPS07IA004A |url=https://app.ntsb.gov/pdfgenerator/ReportGeneratorFile.ashx?EventID=20070610X00701&AKey=1&RType=Final&IType=IA |access-date=August 7, 2018 |publisher=National Transportation Safety Board |page=}}</ref> *July 17, 2012: suspended SkyWest Airlines pilot and fugitive murder suspect Brian Hedglin, whose ex-girlfriend had been found stabbed to death at his Colorado Springs residence, stole a parked SkyWest CRJ200ER, ''N865AS'', at St. George Regional Airport in Utah. He clipped a jet bridge and the terminal building, then taxied it through a fence and into a parking lot, crashing into several parked cars, and shot himself dead in the aircraft aisle. ''N865AS'' was damaged beyond repair and written off; there was no one else aboard and no reported injuries to anyone but Hedglin.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sperry |first1=Todd |last2=Ahlers |first2=Mike M. |date=July 18, 2012 |title=Police: Suspect in Colorado slaying tried to steal plane in Utah |url=https://www.cnn.com/2012/07/17/justice/utah-plane-incident |publisher=CNN |access-date=May 12, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20120717-0|title=Unlawful Interference Canadair CL-600-2B19 Regional Jet CRJ-200ER N865AS, Tuesday 17 July 2012 |website=aviation-safety.net |publisher=Aviation Safety Network |access-date=March 26, 2025}}</ref>
== See also == * Air transportation in the United States {{Portal|Utah|Aviation}} == References == {{Reflist|30em}}
== External links == {{Commons category|SkyWest}} *[http://www.skywest.com/ SkyWest Airlines] *[http://inc.skywest.com/ SkyWest Inc.]
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