Major airlines of the United States

The "Big 4" U.S. airlines. Clockwise from top left: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines

The United States Department of Transportation defines a major carrier or major airline carrier as a U.S.-based airline that posts more than $1 billion in operating revenue during a fiscal year, grouped accordingly as "Group III".

Airlines

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics updates the listing of major airlines once per year. According to FY2025 operating revenues, 19 carriers met the requirement for Group III status, including Spirit Airlines which later ceased operations as of May of 2026:

Mainline passenger

Regional passenger

Cargo

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Only 18 carriers are listed. The 19th designated Group III carrier, Spirit Airlines, ceased operations in May 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Considered one of the "Big 4" U.S. airlines.

References

  1. 1 2 Ember, Sydney (September 5, 2024). "4 Big Airlines Face U.S. Inquiry Over Frequent Flier Programs". The New York Times.
  2. 1 2 "14 CFR 241.04 - Air Carrier Groupings". Code of Federal Regulations (PDF). US Government Publishing Office. p. 113.
  3. ↑ Schmitt, Rolf R.; Tang, Lei (October 7, 2025) [effective January 1, 2026]. Air Carrier Groupings 2026 (PDF). Accounting and Reporting Directive of the Office of Airline Information (Report). Vol. 345. Washington, D.C.: Bureau of Transportation Statistics, United States Department of Transportation. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  4. ↑ Chokshi, Niraj (May 2, 2026). "Spirit Airlines, a Pioneer of Low-Fare Flights, Shuts Down". The New York Times.