USA Jet Airlines
USA Jet Airlines is an Ascent Global Logistics subsidiary operating Part 121-certified on-demand air cargo charter services via a fleet of MD-80F and B-727F freighters, providing mission-critical, time-sensitive freight transportation primarily to enterprise customers in automotive, aerospace, and industrial manufacturing across North America.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1979
- HeadquartersBelleville, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What USA Jet Airlines does
USA Jet Airlines is a Part 121-certified on-demand air cargo charter operator headquartered at Willow Run Airport in Belleville, Michigan, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ascent Global Logistics. The company operates a dedicated fleet of MD-80F (45,000 lb payload, 2,050 mile range) and B-727F (50,000 lb payload, 2,250 mile range) freighters, which the company reports represents approximately 36 percent of North America's on-demand cargo aircraft large-lift capacity. USA Jet's primary value proposition is time-critical, dedicated-capacity air freight for industrial shippers — direct charter is offered exclusively to designated Strategic Partners, while other shipments are routed through the parent Ascent Global Logistics network for integrated ground handling, customs, and coordination. The carrier markets a 99 percent on-time performance rate, 5-minute quote response, and 2-hour wheels-up capability, supported by its proprietary PEAK Marketplace booking and flight tracking platform.
The company's primary served verticals are Automotive (Ford, GM, Tesla), Aerospace and Aviation (AOG parts logistics), and Industrial and Manufacturing, with secondary use cases spanning Life Sciences, Entertainment (Metallica tours, film productions), High-Value cargo, Perishables, Disaster Relief, and Live Animals. Geographic reach covers the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. Revenue is generated per mission on a quote-based, transactional pricing model determined by distance, payload weight, aircraft type, and urgency; bundled managed services are delivered through Ascent Global Logistics. Operating certifications include Part 121 and Part 135, a Hazardous Materials MPSC Permit, Customs bonded carrier status across multiple jurisdictions, and FAA/TSA compliance.
Founded in 1979 as Active Aero, the company rebranded to USA Jet Airlines and became one of the earliest operators of an MD-80 passenger-to-freighter conversion in August 2013. It maintains operational bases at Willow Run Airport (Belleville/Ypsilanti Township, MI) and Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport (Oscoda, MI), employs between 251 and 500 staff, and has completed over 75,000 missions since 1994.
USA Jet Airlines firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- USA Jet Airlines
- Legal name
- USA Jet Airlines
- Website
- https://usajet.aero
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1979
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- USA Jet Airlines is an Ascent Global Logistics subsidiary operating Part 121-certified on-demand air cargo charter services via a fleet of MD-80F and B-727F freighters, providing mission-critical, time-sensitive freight transportation primarily to enterprise customers in automotive, aerospace, and industrial manufacturing across North America.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
USA Jet Airlines industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Air Cargo Charter Services
- NAICS
- Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation (481212), Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812)
- SIC
- Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Time-Critical Air Charter & On-Demand Air Freight (TLADANAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Charter Air Freight Forwarding (Full/Part Charter, ACMI Brokerage) (TLACAAAC)
Keywords
Where USA Jet Airlines is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Belleville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
USA Jet Airlines business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- On-Demand Air Cargo Charter Services: Revenue generated from providing dedicated aircraft charter services for time-critical freight. Services priced per mission based on distance, payload, and urgency. Customers receive quotes within 5-10 minutes and can be airborne within 2 hours of booking.
- Integrated Logistics Services: Non-direct charter shipments managed through Ascent Global Logistics parent company for ground handling, clearances, and shipment coordination
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Mission-Critical Cargo Charter |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
USA Jet Airlines product offering
Product offeringCore offering
USA Jet Airlines is an on-demand air cargo charter airline that deploys dedicated MD-80F and B-727F freighter aircraft to move time-critical and oversized freight for enterprise customers across North America. The carrier specializes in mission-critical shipments for automotive, aerospace, and industrial manufacturing clients, supported by rapid quote turnaround (5 minutes), 2-hour wheels-up readiness, and a 99% on-time delivery record.
Product overview
USA Jet Airlines operates as a Part 121 on-demand air cargo charter airline, offering dedicated cargo aircraft services through a fleet of MD-80F and B-727F aircraft. The company provides on-demand cargo charters backed by 45+ years of experience with 99% on-time performance and 24/7/365 operations. Services include time-critical shipments, dangerous goods handling, and heavy/oversized cargo transport. The company utilizes its proprietary PEAK Marketplace platform for booking management and real-time tracking, serving customers across North America including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, and South America. USA Jet represents approximately 36% of North America's on-demand cargo aircraft large lift capacity.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- On-Demand Air Cargo Charter Services Dedicated, on-demand air cargo charter service using MD-80F and B-727F freighter aircraft to move time-critical, oversized, and heavy freight for enterprise customers in automotive, aerospace, and industrial manufacturing sectors across North America.
- Recurring and Scheduled Charter Programs Customized recurring and scheduled cargo charter programs for enterprise customers with predictable, recurring freight needs, providing dedicated lift on a defined route or schedule tailored to the customer's supply chain requirements.
- PEAK Marketplace Digital Booking Platform USA Jet's proprietary digital marketplace platform that allows customers and Strategic Partners to instantly request quotes, book cargo charters, and track shipments in real time through an online interface integrated with the carrier's operations.
- Strategic Partners Program A partnership-based channel program that enables third-party logistics providers and freight forwarders to offer USA Jet's on-demand cargo charter capacity to their own customers, with access to the PEAK Marketplace platform for booking and tracking.
Quantifiable outcome
- 99% on-time performance rate
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use USA Jet Airlines
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments10 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
USA Jet Airlines technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
USA Jet Airlines partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Ascent Global LogisticscoreUSA Jet is an integral part of Ascent Global Logistics network. As the parent company, Ascent provides integrated logistics solutions and manages non-direct charter shipments. USA Jet provides the air cargo charter component of their comprehensive logistics offerings.
- Digital DivasminorPartnership with Digital Divas at Eastern Michigan University to offer aviation students insight into the aviation industry. Part of broader effort to encourage young individuals, especially girls and underrepresented groups, to explore STEM fields.
- Eastern Michigan UniversityminorPartnership with Eastern Michigan University through Digital Divas initiative to provide aviation students opportunities to engage with experienced airline pilots and mechanics.
- Michigan Learning ChannelminorPartnership with Michigan Learning Channel to offer aviation students exposure to career opportunities in the aviation industry.
- Women in Aviation InternationalminorUSA Jet is a proud sponsor of Women in Aviation International, supporting the organization's mission to encourage women in aviation careers.
- Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP)minorUSA Jet sponsors OBAP, supporting diversity in aerospace professions.
- Rotary to Airline Group (RTAG)minorUSA Jet sponsors RTAG, supporting career transitions from military to airline professions.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
USA Jet Airlines competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ABX Air:
- Atlas Air Worldwide: Atlas Air is the largest operator of B-747 freighters worldwide, providing charter and ACMI services across multiple verticals — a broader incumbent competing for the same large-cargo time-critical charter demand as USA Jet.
Direct peers
- Amerijet International: Amerijet International operates scheduled and chartered all-cargo services across the Americas, directly comparable to USA Jet's on-demand cargo charter model serving the same North American and Caribbean lanes.
- National Airlines: National Airlines provides on-demand heavy-lift cargo charter worldwide using B-747 freighters, competing head-to-head with USA Jet for time-critical, large-payload charter business from North America.
- Western Global Airlines: Western Global Airlines operates a fleet of MD-11 and B-767 freighters providing ACMI and charter services, directly comparable to USA Jet's fleet-based charter model for large-cargo time-critical missions.
- 21 Air: 21 Air is a US-based cargo carrier offering scheduled and charter services to Latin America and the Caribbean, competing with USA Jet in similar time-critical large-cargo shipments.
- Kalitta Air: Kalitta Air operates a large fleet of B-747 and B-767 freighters providing on-demand heavy-lift cargo charter globally, comparable to USA Jet in dedicated-freighter charter for oversized and time-sensitive freight.
Market position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
USA Jet Airlines social profiles
Digital presenceUSA Jet Airlines compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
USA Jet Airlines financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
USA Jet Airlines leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
USA Jet Airlines funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
USA Jet 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 USA Jet Airlines
What does USA Jet Airlines do?
USA Jet Airlines is an on-demand air cargo charter airline that deploys dedicated MD-80F and B-727F freighter aircraft to move time-critical and oversized freight for enterprise customers across North America. The carrier specializes in mission-critical shipments for automotive, aerospace, and industrial manufacturing clients, supported by rapid quote turnaround (5 minutes), 2-hour wheels-up readiness, and a 99% on-time delivery record.
Is USA Jet Airlines a public or private company?
USA Jet Airlines is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was USA Jet Airlines founded?
USA Jet Airlines was founded in 1979. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is USA Jet Airlines based?
USA Jet Airlines is headquartered in Belleville, United States, in the North America region.
How does USA Jet Airlines make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. On-Demand Air Cargo Charter Services are the primary driver. The others are integrated Logistics Services.
Who are USA Jet Airlines's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ABX Air and Atlas Air Worldwide. Direct peers are Amerijet International, National Airlines, Western Global Airlines, 21 Air and Kalitta Air.
Does USA Jet Airlines have an API?
No public API is recorded for USA Jet Airlines.
What industry is USA Jet Airlines in?
USA Jet Airlines's product category is Air Cargo Charter Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLADANAA, Time-Critical Air Charter & On-Demand Air Freight, with a secondary code of TLACAAAC, Charter Air Freight Forwarding (Full/Part Charter, ACMI Brokerage). Its NAICS code is 481212 and its SIC code is 4522.