Trans States Airlines
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Defunct | April 1, 2020 |
| Fate | Ceased operations due to COVID-19 pandemic; fleet transferred to ExpressJet Airlines |
| Headquarters | Bridgeton, Missouri , United States |
Area served | United States, Canada, Mexico |
Key people | Chairman Hulas Kanodia, President Richard A. Leach, COO Brian Randow |
| Products | Regional airline services (United Express, AmericanConnection, Delta Connection, US Airways Express) |
| Owner | Trans States Holdings |
| Website | www |
Trans States Airlines was a U.S.-based regional carrier that operated from 1982 until it halted all flights on April 1, 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Headquartered in Bridgeton, Missouri, and owned by Trans States Holdings, the airline mainly provided services for United Airlines under the United Express brand. At the time of its closure, Trans States Airlines operated hubs at multiple airports including Baltimore, Boston, Chicago–O'Hare, Cleveland, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental, New York–LaGuardia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Washington–Dulles, and Washington–National. The leadership team featured Chairman Hulas Kanodia, President Richard A. Leach, and Chief Operating Officer Brian Randow.
History
The airline originated in 1982 as Resort Air, running Swearingen Metro turboprop aircraft from a modest base at St. Louis (STL), serving regional routes within Missouri and Illinois. In 1985, it formed a partnership with Trans World Airlines (TWA) under the Trans World Express brand, expanding its network to six destinations. The company rebranded as Trans States Airlines (TSA) in 1989 and enhanced its fleet by incorporating British Aerospace Jetstream models 31 and 41 along with larger ATR 42 and ATR 72 turboprops. By 1999, TSA introduced Embraer ERJ 145 regional jets to broaden operations beyond its St. Louis base.
In 1993, TSA extended operations to the West Coast by flying as USAir Express out of Los Angeles (LAX), utilizing BAe Jetstream 31 propjets to serve various Californian cities until 2000. On the East Coast starting in 1995, TSA provided feeder flights at New York's JFK Airport for both Trans World Express and United Express, later expanding to include Delta Connection services with Embraer ERJ 145s and Jetstream 41s by 1999. The airline also operated as part of the US Airways Express network in Pittsburgh.
Following the December 2001 merger of TWA into American Airlines, Trans States’ flights were rebranded as AmericanConnection. American Airlines closed its St. Louis hub by 2009, ending AmericanConnection operations there. After American’s merger with US Airways in 2015, TSA’s US Airways Express flights were rebranded under the American Eagle name until these operations ceased in 2018.
In 2006, TSA briefly maintained a hub in San Antonio operating United Express flights using Embraer ERJ 145 jets that connected several regional destinations. The airline’s call sign "Waterski" and ICAO code "LOF" pay homage to its original identity as Resort Air serving the Lake of the Ozarks region.
By 2015, Trans States had established a Denver hub under United Express and transported approximately 3.6 million passengers that year. In February 2020, it announced a plan to wind down operations and transfer its ERJ-145 fleet to ExpressJet Airlines through an agreement with United Airlines. Nevertheless, due to the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on air travel demand, CEO Rick Leach expedited the shutdown date to April 1, 2020. Its affiliate Compass Airlines also ceased flying shortly thereafter, leaving GoJet Airlines as the only remaining active carrier within Trans States Holdings. The ERJ-145 aircraft initially moved to ExpressJet were subsequently reassigned to CommutAir following ExpressJet’s closure; CommutAir also operates as a United Express partner.
The last flight operated by Trans States Airlines was United Express Flight 4695 from Springfield–Branson National Airport to Denver International Airport on April 1, 2020.
St. Louis TWA Express Hub Operations in 1990
In 1990, Trans States operated under the Trans World Express brand as a code-share partner for Trans World Airlines at its St. Louis hub, utilizing 48-seat ATR 42 and 19-seat Fairchild Metroliner III turboprop aircraft. The airline provided nonstop service to important regional destinations including Burlington, Chicago (Meigs Field via Springfield), Columbia, Des Moines, Joplin, Lincoln, Madison, Memphis, Moline, Peoria, Sioux City, and Springfield.
St. Louis TWA Express Hub Operations in 1995
By 1995, Trans States had broadened its Trans World Express operations at the TWA hub in St. Louis with a varied turboprop fleet comprising ATR 42, ATR 72, BAe Jetstream 31, Jetstream 41, and Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia aircraft. The carrier operated an extensive nonstop route network to numerous regional cities such as Birmingham, Bloomington, Cape Girardeau, Cedar Rapids, Champaign, Chicago (Midway and O'Hare), Decatur, Evansville, Fayetteville, Fort Wayne, Grand Rapids, Lexington, Knoxville, Madison, Marion, Memphis, Milwaukee, Paducah, Peoria, Quincy, Sioux City, South Bend, Springfield (both IL and MO), Waterloo, and Mexico City among others—highlighting notable growth in market presence and route expansion.
United Express Destinations
Prior to its closure, Trans States flew as part of the United Express network serving a wide array of domestic and international routes. Its primary hubs included Denver (DEN), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), St. Louis Lambert (STL), Houston Intercontinental (IAH), and Newark Liberty (EWR). The airline linked major metropolitan centers as well as secondary markets across the United States such as Birmingham (BHM), Tucson (TUS), Little Rock (LIT), Milwaukee (MKE), Cleveland (CLE), Louisville (SDF), and Raleigh-Durham (RDU). Seasonal and regional flights were also operated to smaller airports like Gunnison (GUC) and Yampa Valley (HDN).
Internationally, service extended to Canadian cities including Toronto (YYZ), Montreal (YUL), Ottawa (YOW - occasional service), Quebec City (YQB), along with Mexican destinations such as Guadalajara (GDL), Mexico City (MEX), Cancun (CUN), Puebla City (PBC), Veracruz (VER), and Zihuatanejo (ZIH). This broad network aligned with Trans States’ strategic objective to capture diverse market segments through United Airlines code-sharing agreements while optimizing operations via its regional aircraft fleet.
The comprehensive route system underscored the airline’s competitive edge in connecting less-served markets with major hubs throughout North America—an essential aspect of its business model emphasizing regional connectivity within the larger framework of its parent companies’ global operations.
Fleet
Before ceasing operations, Trans States Airlines maintained a fleet consisting of 45 Embraer ERJ 145 jets configured for 50 passengers each, primarily operating under the United Express banner. Following shutdown, most of these aircraft were reassigned to carriers such as ExpressJet and CommutAir.
Fleet development
In October 2009, Trans States Holdings revealed plans to acquire 50 Mitsubishi MRJ90 aircraft with options for an additional 50 planes; this included flexibility to convert orders to the smaller MRJ70 model depending on scope clause constraints. However, this purchase was ultimately cancelled in October 2019 due to concerns regarding compliance with U.S. scope clause regulations.
Starting in April 2013, Trans States began integrating six former Passaredo Linhas Aéreas ERJ-145s into its fleet. By 2015, the airline initiated a transition away from its United Express ERJ 145ER models in favor of ERJ 145XRs transferred from ExpressJet.
Formerly operated aircraft
Prior to adopting an exclusively jet-powered fleet, Trans States utilized a range of turboprop models such as the ATR 42, ATR 72, BAe Jetstream 31 and 41, Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia, along with the Fairchild Metroliner III. These planes were primarily employed to provide code-share feeder routes for carriers including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, TWA, USAir, and US Airways.
Accidents and incidents
- July 14, 2004 – Flight 3504 experienced a runway overrun at Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport; no major injuries occurred.
- June 16, 2010 – Flight 8050 overran the runway in Ottawa; the nose landing gear collapsed, resulting in minor injuries to the flight crew and one passenger.
- March 1, 2011 – During pushback at Bradley International Airport, the nose gear collapsed; all 29 passengers remained unharmed.
- September 4, 2011 – Flight 3363 departed the runway surface in Ottawa; damage was sustained to the main landing gear and wing, but no injuries were reported.
- February 22, 2012 – Flight 3350 overran the runway at Rochester; passengers were safely evacuated without injury.
- August 7, 2018 – Flight 4697 was diverted to JFK Airport due to smoke detected inside the cabin; evacuation occurred on the runway with three passengers receiving onsite medical attention.
See also
External links
- Defunct airlines of the United States
- Defunct regional airlines of the United States
- Airlines established in 1982
- Airlines disestablished in 2020
- Regional Airline Association members
- Companies based in St. Louis County, Missouri
- Privately held companies based in Missouri
- Former Oneworld affiliate members
- 1985 establishments in Missouri
- 2020 disestablishments in Missouri
- American companies established in 1982
- American companies disestablished in 2020
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment