{{Short description|Proposed American airline}} {{For-text|the consortium formed to acquire Flybe|Connect Airways|the defunct Swiss airline|Connect Air|the defunct British airline|Connectair}} {{Use Canadian English|date=April 2021}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}} {{Infobox airline | airline = Connect Airlines | logo = Connect Airlines logo.png | alt = | caption = | image2 = | image2-width = | image2_alt = | caption2 = | IATA = MW | ICAO = WZM | callsign = MATILDA | founded = {{start date and age|2021|04}} | commenced = | ceased = | aoc = | bases = | hubs = Toronto | secondary_hubs = | focus_cities = {{ubl|class=nowrap | Chicago–O'Hare | Philadelphia}} | frequent_flyer = | alliance = | subsidiaries = | fleet_size = | destinations = | parent = Waltzing Matilda Aviation | traded_as = | ISIN = | headquarters = Bedford, Massachusetts | key_people = John Thomas (CEO) | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | profit = | assets = | equity = | num_employees = 11–50 | website = {{URL|connectairlines.com}} | notes = }}
'''Connect Airlines''' is a proposed American<ref>{{Cite web |title=Regulations.gov |url=https://www.regulations.gov/document/DOT-OST-2021-0046-0001 |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=www.regulations.gov}}</ref> airline that intends to operate flights between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Midwest and Northeast US cities. Proposed service will fly between Toronto to/from Chicago and Philadelphia. The airline would be backed by Waltzing Matilda Aviation, a Massachusetts-based charter operator.<ref name="flight20210408">{{cite news |last1=Wolfsteller |first1=Pilar |title=New carrier Connect Airlines to launch US-Canada flights in October |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/strategy/new-carrier-connect-airlines-to-launch-us-canada-flights-in-october/143231.article |work=Flight Global |date=2021-04-08 |language=en}}</ref> The company intends to lease De Havilland Canada Dash 8 turboprop aircraft formerly operated by Flybe and will target primarily business travel.<ref name="MWNetworkPlans" />
== History == In June 2022, Connect Airlines announced an order for 75 converted ATR 72-600 turboprops, with an option for an additional 25, to be converted by Universal Hydrogen to use hydrogen powertrains.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kaminski-Morrow |first1=David |title=Connect Airlines plots expansion with up to 100 hydrogen-powered ATR 72s |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/connect-airlines-plots-expansion-with-up-to-100-hydrogen-powered-atr-72s/148930.article |work=Flight Global |date=9 June 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
Connect Airlines received a certificate of convenience and necessity for domestic air transportation from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) in July 2022 and a certificate for foreign transport in September 2022. The airline had acquired two Dash-8s as of September 2022, with further aircraft expected to arrive monthly until February 2023. The aircraft have had one row of seats removed and will feature 26 premium seats with increased legroom, as well as 48 economy seats. Service was due to be launched in November 2022; an interline agreement with an as-yet unnamed major carrier had been signed.<ref name="MWStartUp">{{cite news |last1=Wolfsteller |first1=Pilar |title=US start-up Connect sees niche in bringing touch of class to turboprops |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/strategy/us-start-up-connect-sees-niche-in-bringing-touch-of-class-to-turboprops/150125.article |work=Flight Global |date=September 8, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
As of December 2022, the airline was running proving flights to complete its application requirements for its air operator's certificate, and was looking to hire direct-entry captains to run its initial flights.{{cn|date=June 2024}}
In June 2023, it asked the DOT to extend until October 2023 its deadline to begin flying, amid difficulties in meeting FAA requirements.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hardee |first1=Howard |title=US start-up Connect Airlines' certification work lags as proving flights 'terminated': DOT |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/strategy/us-start-up-connect-airlines-certification-work-lags-as-proving-flights-terminated-dot/154025.article |work=Flight Global |date=July 7, 2023 }}</ref> In November 2023, the DOT revoked its certificate of public convenience and necessity, though the airline noted its intent to appeal the revocation and pursue its plans.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hardee |first1=Howard |title=Connect Airlines vows to appeal DOT decision to revoke certificate |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/strategy/connect-airlines-vows-to-appeal-dot-decision-to-revoke-certificate/155902.article |work=Flight Global |date=November 17, 2023 }}</ref>
In a 2025 appearance at a travel conference, CEO John Thomas elaborated on plans to create more spacious cabins and fly three daily trips between Toronto, Chicago, and Philadelphia.<ref>[https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/connect-airlines-eyes-pittsburgh-potential-regional-hub-aims-revive-premium-air-travel/HJOQUULFO5BUNKTNBNOHA6M5VU/ Connect Airlines eyes Pittsburgh as potential regional hub, aims to revive premium air travel]</ref>
== Fleet == {| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em auto; text-align:center" |+ Connect Airlines fleet<ref>{{cite web |title=Our Fleet |work=Connect Airlines |url=https://www.connectairlines.com/aircraft |access-date=June 11, 2025}}</ref> |- !rowspan=2|Aircraft !rowspan=2|In service !rowspan=2|Orders !colspan=3|Passengers !rowspan=2|Notes |- !<abbr title="Premium Economy">P</abbr> !<abbr title="Economy">Y</abbr> !Total |- | ATR 72-600 | — | 75 |colspan=3|<abbr title="To Be Announced">TBA</abbr> | Deliveries begin 2025.<br>Order with 25 options.<ref>{{cite news |title=Universal Hydrogen and Connect Airlines Announce Firm Order for Conversion of 75 ATR 72-600 Regional Aircraft to Be Powered by Green Hydrogen |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220608006035/en/Universal-Hydrogen-and-Connect-Airlines-Announce-Firm-Order-for-Conversion-of-75-ATR-72-600-Regional-Aircraft-to-Be-Powered-by-Green-Hydrogen |publisher=BUSINESS WIRE |date=June 9, 2022 |access-date=June 11, 2025}}</ref> |- | De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 | — | 8<ref name="MWNetworkPlans">{{cite news |last1=Birns |first1=Hilka |title=US's Connect Airlines details Toronto City network plans |url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/126070-uss-connect-airlines-details-toronto-city-network-plans |work=ch-aviation |date=March 30, 2023 |access-date=June 11, 2025}}</ref> |rowspan=2|26 |rowspan=2|48 |rowspan=2|74<ref name="MWStartUp" /> | |} == References == {{reflist}}
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