PSA Airlines
PSA Airlines is a wholly owned American Airlines Group subsidiary operating the American Eagle brand with Bombardier CRJ700/CRJ900 jets, serving 100+ destinations from CLT, DFW, PHL, and DCA hubs under a block-hour capacity purchase agreement with American.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersVandalia, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What PSA Airlines does
PSA Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group that operates the American Eagle regional brand on behalf of its parent. Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina following a January 2026 relocation from Dayton, Ohio, PSA flies an exclusively jet fleet of dual-class Bombardier CRJ700 and CRJ900 regional aircraft. The carrier connects four American Airlines hubs — Charlotte (CLT), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Philadelphia (PHL), and Washington Reagan National (DCA) — to more than 100 destinations across the Eastern and Midwestern United States, parts of Canada, and the Caribbean, operating in excess of 750 daily flights with a target fleet of 154-155 aircraft.
PSA's commercial model is anchored by a capacity purchase agreement (CPA) with American Airlines under which PSA is compensated on a block-hours-flown basis, while ticket marketing, pricing, and distribution are handled by American. End-customers are air travelers routed through American's hub-and-spoke network; from a B2B perspective, essentially all revenue flows from a single anchor contract with American Airlines Group. The carrier maintains roughly 4,800-5,000 team members, crew bases in all four hubs plus Dayton, and a maintenance network that has expanded from eight to ten line stations (with new bases at DFW in April 2024 and Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport in April 2025).
Operationally, PSA has positioned itself as a workforce pipeline for American Airlines, offering qualified captains a guaranteed direct flow to the parent carrier, industry-leading pilot compensation (Captain rates starting at $161.25/hour from June 2026 per the published pay scale), cadet and military transition programs, and public wage-transparency tools. Recent strategic emphasis has been on fleet expansion through CRJ900 acquisitions, organizational maturation including PSA's first-ever COO appointment in August 2025, workforce pipeline development via a five-year partnership with Central Piedmont Community College, and the Charlotte headquarters relocation. PSA also faces ongoing civil litigation related to the January 29, 2025 mid-air collision of American Eagle Flight 5342 with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National, in which all 67 people aboard both aircraft were killed; the US government has acknowledged liability, and a federal civil trial is scheduled for April 2027.
PSA Airlines firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PSA Airlines
- Legal name
- PSA Airlines
- Website
- https://psaairlines.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- PSA Airlines is a wholly owned American Airlines Group subsidiary operating the American Eagle brand with Bombardier CRJ700/CRJ900 jets, serving 100+ destinations from CLT, DFW, PHL, and DCA hubs under a block-hour capacity purchase agreement with American.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PSA Airlines industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Regional Airline Services
- NAICS
- Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation (481111), Scheduled Air Transportation (48111)
- SIC
- Air Transportation, Scheduled (4512)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA) / Branded Feeder Operators (THABACAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Regional Jet (RJ) Operators (THABACAK)
Keywords
Where PSA Airlines is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vandalia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices15 records
Markets served
PSA Airlines business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Passenger Air Travel: PSA generates revenue through passenger ticket sales operating scheduled regional flights under the American Eagle brand. The airline operates under a capacity purchase agreement (CPA) with American Airlines, where American compensates PSA based on block hours flown rather than revenue sharing.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
PSA Airlines product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PSA Airlines operates scheduled regional passenger jet service under the American Eagle brand on behalf of American Airlines, using an all-jet fleet of Bombardier CRJ700 and CRJ900 aircraft. From hubs at Charlotte (CLT), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Philadelphia (PHL), and Washington-D.C. (DCA), the airline operates over 750 daily flights to more than 100 destinations across the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean under a capacity purchase agreement with American Airlines.
Product overview
PSA Airlines is a regional airline operating exclusively Bombardier regional jets (CRJ700 and CRJ900) under the American Eagle brand for American Airlines. The company operates over 750 daily flights to over 100 destinations spanning the U.S., Canada, and Caribbean from hubs in Charlotte (CLT), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Philadelphia (PHL), and Washington-D.C. (DCA). Beyond core airline operations, PSA offers pilot career pathways including First Officer positions, Cadet programs, and Direct Entry Captain roles with guaranteed flow to American Airlines; flight attendant careers; aircraft maintenance technician positions with multiple maintenance facilities; and supporting services including dispatch, aviation parts, and crew scheduling. The airline provides workforce tools including a Pilot Wage Calculator and public Pay Scale information. The company relocated its corporate headquarters from Dayton, Ohio to Charlotte, North Carolina in January 2026.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- American Eagle Regional Service Scheduled regional passenger jet service operated by PSA Airlines under the American Eagle brand on behalf of American Airlines. Operates Bombardier CRJ700 and CRJ900 dual-class regional jets from four American hubs (CLT, DFW, PHL, DCA) to more than 100 destinations across the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean, with over 750 daily flights. Sold exclusively through American Airlines' distribution channels; PSA is compensated by American Airlines via a Capacity Purchase Agreement based on block hours flown.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 750 daily flights to over 100 destinations
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use PSA Airlines
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
PSA Airlines technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
PSA Airlines partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Central Piedmont Community CollegecoreFive-year partnership to strengthen aviation workforce pipeline in Charlotte, North Carolina. Collaboration involves expanding training programs, providing scholarships, and facilitating internships to support high-demand aviation careers. PSA Airlines is investing in educational programs and related funds to develop future aviation professionals.
- Charlotte KnightsminorThree-year partnership with the Charlotte Knights minor league baseball team. The partnership provides PSA Airlines with marketing visibility and community engagement opportunities in the Charlotte market.
- American AirlinescorePSA Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group, operating exclusively as American Eagle. The airline operates under a capacity purchase agreement (CPA) supporting American's hub operations at CLT, DFW, PHL, and DCA. Qualified PSA captains have guaranteed direct flow to American Airlines.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
PSA Airlines competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Envoy Air: Wholly owned American Airlines Group regional carrier operating American Eagle branded feeder flights under a CPA. Operates Embraer 170/175 regional jets from American hubs including DFW and ORD; directly comparable in business model, customer, and aircraft category.
- Piedmont Airlines: Wholly owned American Airlines Group regional carrier operating American Eagle branded Embraer E-Jet feeder service under CPA from hubs including CLT and PHL. Directly comparable as another American-owned regional with identical business model.
- Republic Airways: Major U.S. regional airline operating Embraer 170/175 aircraft under CPA with American (as American Eagle), Delta (as Delta Connection), and United (as United Express). Closest non-wholly-owned peer in CPA-driven regional jet operations.
- SkyWest Airlines: Largest U.S. regional airline operating CRJ and Embraer aircraft under CPA with American (as American Eagle), Delta, United, and Alaska. Direct competitor in the regional CPA jet segment with comparable fleet scope.
- Mesa Airlines: Regional airline operating Embraer 170/175 aircraft under CPA with United (United Express) and previously American Eagle. Comparable CPA-driven regional jet business model with similar block-hour revenue mechanics.
- Endeavor Air: Wholly owned Delta Air Lines regional carrier operating Delta Connection branded CRJ-900 and Embraer 175 flights under CPA. Closely comparable as a major-carrier-owned regional jet operator with similar scale.
- CommutAir: Regional airline operating Embraer 145 aircraft under CPA with United Airlines (United Express). Comparable in CPA structure and regional jet feeder operations, though smaller scale.
- GoJet Airlines: Regional operator flying CRJ550/700 and CRJ900 aircraft for United Express and Delta Connection under CPA. Operates the same CRJ platform as PSA, making it directly comparable on fleet and contract structure.
Broad incumbents
- Horizon Air: Wholly owned Alaska Air Group subsidiary operating Embraer 175 regional jets as Alaska Airlines feeder. Broader incumbent operating within a single major carrier's network with similar CPA economics.
Others
- American Airlines: Parent company and sole customer of PSA under its CPA. Relevant as the strategic counterparty whose network, fleet, and capital allocation decisions directly determine PSA's revenue and growth path.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
PSA Airlines social profiles
Digital presencePSA Airlines financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PSA Airlines leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
PSA Airlines funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PSA Airlines M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PSA Airlines
What does PSA Airlines do?
PSA Airlines operates scheduled regional passenger jet service under the American Eagle brand on behalf of American Airlines, using an all-jet fleet of Bombardier CRJ700 and CRJ900 aircraft. From hubs at Charlotte (CLT), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Philadelphia (PHL), and Washington-D.C. (DCA), the airline operates over 750 daily flights to more than 100 destinations across the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean under a capacity purchase agreement with American Airlines.
Is PSA Airlines a public or private company?
PSA Airlines is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was PSA Airlines founded?
PSA Airlines was founded in 1983. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is PSA Airlines based?
PSA Airlines is headquartered in Vandalia, United States, in the North America region.
How does PSA Airlines make money?
One revenue line is on record: passenger Air Travel.
Who are PSA Airlines's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Envoy Air, Piedmont Airlines, Republic Airways, SkyWest Airlines, Mesa Airlines, Endeavor Air, CommutAir and GoJet Airlines. Horizon Air is listed as a broad incumbent. American Airlines is listed as an others.
Does PSA Airlines have an API?
No public API is recorded for PSA Airlines.
What industry is PSA Airlines in?
PSA Airlines's product category is Regional Airline Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THABACAF, Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA) / Branded Feeder Operators, with a secondary code of THABACAK, Regional Jet (RJ) Operators. Its NAICS code is 481111 and its SIC code is 4512.