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United Express company history timeline

1985

On May 1, 1985, United formally partnered with Air Wisconsin, Horizon Air, and WestAir as United Express, feeding its hubs at Chicago-O'Hare, Seattle International Airport, and San Francisco International Airport.

In 1985, United agreed to purchase Pan American World Airways' entire Pacific Division, Boeing 747SPs, and L-1011-500s for $750 million.

1986

By the end of 1986, United operated flights to 13 Pacific destinations, most of which were purchased from the ailing Pan American World Airways.

Aspen Airways soon joined the United Express system in 1986 feeding United's hub at Denver-Stapleton.

1987

Ferris changed United's parent company's name from UAL Corporation to Allegis in February, 1987 but the name change was short lived.

Horizon Air was bought out by Alaska Airlines in 1987 at which time Horizon's contract as United Express was cancelled and a new carrier, North Pacific Airlines (NPA), was established by WestAir to service the Seattle hub as well as hubs at Portland, Spokane, and Boise.

1988

Moreover, in January 1988, Friendship One, a United Boeing 747SP, set the around-the-world air speed record of 36 hours, 54 minutes, and 15 seconds.

1991

NPA was merged into its parent, WestAir, in 1991.

1992

In 1992, the first services to Latin America are introduced and, one year later, the first Airbus A320 joins the fleet.

In 1992, Great Lakes Airlines became a United Express partner, followed by Trans States Airlines the following year.

1993

In 1993, Trans States Airlines started United Feeder Service (UFS), to operate British Aerospace BAe ATP aircraft for United Airlines.

1994

In 1994, United became the largest employee-owned corporation across the globe amid its Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

1995

1995 April, 22 Best Freight Forwarding United Express primarily ships items by air, allowing us to complete any delivery within the United States and Canada in a matter of hours.

In mid-1995, the first Boeing 777 service in the industry was launched by United, connecting Washington to London.

In 1995 Mesa took over all United Express routes at the Seattle and Portland hubs formerly operated by WestAir.

1997

In 1997, as United officially designated Los Angeles International Airport one of its hubs, SkyWest Airlines became a United Express partner as well.

1998

Mesa Airlines contract operating as United Express was cancelled in 1998 at which time Air Wisconsin and Great Lakes Airlines took over the Denver routes while SkyWest took over the Los Angeles, Seattle, and Portland routes.

1999

In early Mach, 1999, United was the first United States airline to offer to customers in first class a seat that converts to a bed, the United First Suites.

2000

2000 June, 22 International Growth Finally,united express recognizes that accessibility is essential to quality deliveries.

2001

Despite its continued expansion and steady profits recorded in the last decade, United ends 2001 with a record loss of $2.1 billion.

2002

United then filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2002.

When United declared for Chapter 11 reorganization in 2002, it pressured its regional partners for reduced fees.

2005

In 2005, United announced that service levels on major United Express routes would be upgraded to a new product called explus.

2006

Following the clearance of a restructuring plan, United exited bankruptcy in February 2006.

In late July, 2006, United was the world’s third largest airline by revenue-passenger-miles, third-largest by total operating revenues, and fourth-largest by total passengers transported.

United announced a new Express focus city at San Antonio International Airport in 2006, but the experiment was short-lived.

2009

United decided to cancel Dash 8 and CRJ200 service with Mesa Airlines in November 2009.

25, 2009, DOT fined United $75,000 for failing to provide appropriate notice of taxes and fees at the first point a fare was advertised on its website, and for publishing each-way fares without making it clear that they were available only for a roundtrip flight.

2011

In 2011, United Continental Holdings announced that it received FAA approval for a single operating certificate (SOC), marking another significant achievement in the integration process.

2012

On April 1, 2012, Pinnacle Airlines Corp. filed for bankruptcy and announced it would draw down its Colgan Air operation.

2012 June, 22 Expansion Era After safety, speed is central to quality delivery services.

In 2012, with an average of 5,446 flights a day to more than 370 airports across six continents, United and United Express operated nearly two million flights carrying 140 million customers.

2014

In June 2014, United was the first airline to fly to the new Terminal 2 at London Heathrow.

2015

2015 June, 22 Best Freight Forwarding Speed goes hand in hand with convenience, which is why unitedexpress.com strives to make it as simple and effortless as possible for clients to purchase our shipping services.

In August 2015, United announced the start of a new subsidiary, United Ground Express, to provide ground operation service in select airports within its domestic network.

Mesa Airlines continued service using CRJ700 regional jets and added the Embraer 175 in 2015.

2016

By September 2016, Republic Airways Q400s were phased out of service, replacing them with 50 more Embraer 175s.

In 2016, United introduced United Polaris business class service, a reinvention of its international premium cabin travel experience that replaced United BusinessFirst and United Global First service.

2017

On February 27, 2017, United Airlines announced the return of their partnership with Air Wisconsin as a United Express carrier.

The 747 remained with United until November 2017, opening up a plethora of opportunities along the way.

In 2017, United retired its last Boeing B747 aircraft.

They would be flying a fleet of 65 Bombardier CRJ200 beginning second-half 2017.

2018

On April 16, 2018, United Airlines announced the end of its partnership with Cape Air.

2019

In March 2019, United started operating its newest Boeing B787 10 Dreamliner on six transatlantic routes from its New York/Newark hub to Frankfurt, Paris, Brussels, Dublin, Barcelona, and Tel Aviv.

For the winter schedule, United Airlines announced a 30% increase, compared to 2019, in services to Latin beach and leisure and the addition of nearly 150 flights to warm-weather destinations across the United States

2020

In March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Trans States Airlines announced that it would be ceasing operations on April 1, 2020, ending its operations as United Express.

2021

At the beginning of 2021, six airlines remain as United Express feeder carriers: Air Wisconsin, CommutAir, GoJet, Mesa Airlines, Republic Airways, and SkyWest Airlines.

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Founded
1985
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Headquarters
Chicago, IL
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