Mesa Air Group
Mesa Air Group is a Phoenix-based regional airline operating a fleet of Embraer E175 regional jets as a United Express partner under capacity purchase agreements, connecting smaller airports to United's hubs. Following its November 2025 all-stock merger with Republic Airways, it is now part of the world's largest Embraer operator.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1982
- HeadquartersPhoenix, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Mesa Air Group does
Mesa Air Group is a Phoenix-headquartered regional airline founded in 1982 that operates passenger service on behalf of major U.S. carriers under capacity purchase agreements (CPAs). Under the CPA model, the partner airline (principally United Airlines, branded as United Express) sells tickets and controls pricing and the network, while Mesa supplies the aircraft, crew, and maintenance in exchange for contracted block-hour payments. The company runs a fleet of Embraer E175 regional jets from bases in Phoenix, Houston, Washington Dulles, Louisville, Dallas, El Paso, Cincinnati, and Tucson, carrying approximately 15 million passengers annually across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
The business has historically supplemented its passenger CPA with cargo operations (Boeing 737-400F freighters for DHL) and pilot development programs (United Aviate and the Mesa Pilot Development Program). Mesa also holds equity investments in next-generation airframes — Heart Aerospace's 19-seat ES-19 electric aircraft and Archer Aviation's eVTOL — both pursued jointly with United. In November 2025, Mesa completed an all-stock merger with Republic Airways Holdings, creating the world's largest Embraer jet fleet with 310+ aircraft, roughly 1,300 daily departures to about 125 cities, expected revenue of approximately $1.9 billion, and a NASDAQ listing under the RJET ticker. Integration of corporate, fleet, regulatory, and IT workstreams is ongoing.
The combined entity now participates in an industry with high barriers to entry (FAA certification, fleet financing, pilot supply constraints), tight coupling to major carrier network strategies, and structural pilot pipeline economics. Its revenue model remains primarily CPA-driven, with cargo and future electric-aircraft revenues as diversification options.
Mesa Air Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Mesa Air Group
- Legal name
- Mesa Airlines
- Website
- https://mesa-air.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1982
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Mesa Air Group is a Phoenix-based regional airline operating a fleet of Embraer E175 regional jets as a United Express partner under capacity purchase agreements, connecting smaller airports to United's hubs. Following its November 2025 all-stock merger with Republic Airways, it is now part of the world's largest Embraer operator.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Mesa Air Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Regional Air Transportation
- NAICS
- Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211), Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation (481212)
- SIC
- Air Transportation, Scheduled (4512)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA) / Branded Feeder Operators (THABACAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- ACMI / Wet-Lease Cargo Operators (THABAEAC), Charter Airlines & ACMI / Wet-Lease Passenger Operators (TLAFAAAC)
Keywords
Where Mesa Air Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Phoenix
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices8 records
Markets served
Mesa Air Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Capacity Purchase Agreements (CPA): Mesa operates flights on behalf of major airline partners (United Airlines) under capacity purchase agreements where the partner sells tickets and Mesa provides aircraft, crew, and maintenance services. Revenue is generated through contracted rates for block hours flown.
- Cargo Operations: Partnership with DHL to operate Boeing 737-400F cargo aircraft, generating additional revenue streams beyond passenger operations
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Flight Attendant Starting Pay |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Mesa Air Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Mesa Air Group is a regional airline operator headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, that provides commercial passenger air service using Embraer E175 aircraft under the United Express brand. Under capacity purchase agreements (CPAs) with major airline partners such as United Airlines, Mesa supplies the aircraft, crew, and maintenance while the partner airline sells tickets. The company also operates cargo flights for DHL using Boeing 737-400F aircraft and supports pilot career development through its Mesa Pilot Development Program and the United Aviate partnership.
Product overview
Mesa Airlines is a regional airline that provides commercial passenger air service operating a fleet of Embraer E175 aircraft as a United Express partner. The company offers regional connectivity from smaller airports to major hubs. Beyond core airline operations, Mesa provides pilot career development through the United Aviate program and its own Pilot Development Program, aircraft maintenance services (FAA Diamond Award-winning), and flight attendant services. The company has also invested in sustainable aviation through partnerships with Archer Aviation (eVTOL aircraft) and Heart Aerospace (ES-19 electric regional aircraft). In November 2025, Mesa completed its merger with Republic Airways Holdings, creating one of the largest publicly traded regional airline operators in the United States.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- United Express: Mesa operates flights on behalf of United Airlines under the United Express brand.
Products and services
- United Express Regional Passenger Service Commercial passenger air service operating Embraer E175 aircraft under the United Express brand, connecting passengers from smaller airports to United's major hubs. United Airlines sells tickets while Mesa provides the aircraft, crew, and maintenance under capacity purchase agreements.
- Mesa Pilot Development Program
- United Aviate Career Pathway Program
- Aviation Maintenance Services
- Flight Attendant Crew Services In-flight cabin crew services operating on United Express regional routes covering the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean, supported by crew bases in Phoenix, Houston, Washington Dulles, and Louisville.
- DHL Cargo Operations Cargo air transport services provided through a partnership with DHL, operating Boeing 737-400F freighter aircraft within DHL's regional logistics network.
Quantifiable outcome
- Nearly 15 million passengers safely delivered annually
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Mesa Air Group
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Mesa Air Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Mesa Air Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- Republic Airways HoldingsflagshipMesa Air Group completed an all-stock merger with Republic Airways Holdings in November 2025. The combined entity became one of the largest publicly traded regional airline operators in the United States. Republic shareholders retained approximately 88% ownership while Mesa shareholders received 6-12% depending on pre-closing criteria. The merger created the world's largest Embraer jet fleet with 310+ aircraft supporting over 1,300 daily departures.
- United AirlinesflagshipMesa operates flights on behalf of United Airlines under the United Express brand, connecting passengers from smaller airports to United's major hubs. United flies to 238 domestic and 118 international destinations. This is Mesa's primary operating partnership.
- Heart AerospacecoreMesa invested in Heart Aerospace, a company planning to produce the world's first 19-seat electric aircraft (ES-19). Mesa plans to add 100 ES-19 aircraft to its regional fleet, revolutionizing air service to small markets through electric aviation technology.
- Archer AviationcorePartnership with Archer Aviation and United Airlines to develop electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The Maker aircraft can travel up to 60 miles at speeds of 150 mph using electric motors, aiming to decarbonize regional air travel.
- DHLcorePartnership with DHL to operate Boeing 737-400F cargo aircraft, expanding Mesa's operations into cargo logistics alongside passenger service.
- United Aviate ProgramcoreUnited's industry-leading pilot career development program where Mesa serves as an Express partner. Provides aspiring pilots the most direct path from Mesa to United flight deck through a structured three-step pathway requiring 1600 flight hours minimum.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Mesa Air Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Breeze Airways: Founded 2018 by JetBlue founder David Neeleman, Breeze operates point-to-point domestic service using E195 and A220 aircraft. Comparable as newer-generation regional/short-haul operator with overlapping Embraer fleet.
Direct peers
- Envoy Air: Wholly-owned American Airlines regional subsidiary operating as American Eagle. Closely comparable CPA-driven regional operation, though exclusively tied to a single major carrier (American).
- PSA Airlines: American Airlines regional subsidiary operating CRJ-700/900 aircraft as American Eagle. Direct comparable in CPA-partner regional model with overlapping aircraft types (CRJ-900).
- GoJet Airlines: Trans States Holdings subsidiary operating as United Express and Delta Connection with CRJ-700/900 aircraft. Direct CPA-partner competitor with United overlap.
- Piedmont Airlines: American Airlines regional subsidiary operating as American Eagle with Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft. Comparable CPA regional operator with single-major-carrier dependency.
- Horizon Air: Alaska Airlines regional subsidiary operating Embraer 175 aircraft. Direct comparable in E175 platform operation under CPA model with single major partner.
- CommutAir: United Express regional partner operating Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft. Direct comparable in United CPA model though smaller and operating an older 50-seat aircraft type.
- Air Wisconsin Airlines: United Express regional partner operating CRJ-200 aircraft. Direct United CPA peer with similar relationship structure to Mesa's primary partnership.
- Atlas Air: Major ACMI/wet-lease cargo operator and passenger charter provider. Direct comparable to Mesa's DHL cargo partnership side and ACMI-style operating model for third-party customers.
- SkyWest Airlines: Largest US regional airline operating under CPA for United, Delta, American, and Alaska. Most direct comparable to Mesa given overlapping CPA-partner business model, multi-aircraft-type fleet, and United Express relationship.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Mesa Air Group social profiles
Digital presenceMesa Air Group compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Mesa Air Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Mesa Air Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Mesa Air Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Mesa Air Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments2 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Mesa Air Group
What does Mesa Air Group do?
Mesa Air Group is a regional airline operator headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, that provides commercial passenger air service using Embraer E175 aircraft under the United Express brand. Under capacity purchase agreements (CPAs) with major airline partners such as United Airlines, Mesa supplies the aircraft, crew, and maintenance while the partner airline sells tickets. The company also operates cargo flights for DHL using Boeing 737-400F aircraft and supports pilot career development through its Mesa Pilot Development Program and the United Aviate partnership.
Is Mesa Air Group a public or private company?
Mesa Air Group is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently acquired.
When was Mesa Air Group founded?
Mesa Air Group was founded in 1982. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Mesa Air Group based?
Mesa Air Group is headquartered in Phoenix, United States, in the North America region.
How does Mesa Air Group make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Capacity Purchase Agreements (CPA) is the primary driver. The others are cargo Operations.
Who are Mesa Air Group's main competitors?
Breeze Airways is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Envoy Air, PSA Airlines, GoJet Airlines, Piedmont Airlines, Horizon Air, CommutAir, Air Wisconsin Airlines, Atlas Air and SkyWest Airlines.
Does Mesa Air Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for Mesa Air Group.
What industry is Mesa Air Group in?
Mesa Air Group's product category is Regional Air Transportation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THABACAF, Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA) / Branded Feeder Operators, with a secondary code of THABAEAC, ACMI / Wet-Lease Cargo Operators. Its NAICS code is 481211 and its SIC code is 4512.