Originally Posted by
rickair7777
The federal government definition of a major is by revenue, X billion $.
The industry itself considers majors to operate at least some NB aircraft, sell tickets, and operate under their own brand.
Legacies did interstate air service prior to deregulation. They use a hub and spoke model, to one degree or another.
Most regionals are actually FFD, flying in some legacies paint. There are few small branded commuters left.
The APC airline profiles reflect the "industry standard" definitions. We don't try to distinguish between national, LCC, ULCC as that is somewhat in the eye of the beholder.
Agreed. If it were just revenue, many ACMI carriers would be listed as major airlines.
Likewise, simply flying the same size aircraft does not a major airline make.
All of the legacy/major airlines are global airlines.
An LCC that does a few Mexico, South America, or similar destinations is not a global major airline
We have
legacy/major
National / LCC
Regional
ACMI (can’t say cargo, since there are passenger only ACMI)
A Frontier, Spirit, Allegiant, Sun Country and the rest of the National LCC’s are not legacy or major airlines.
An example. People still run to leave a Frontier, Allegiant or Spirit when a Delta, United or American calls....
they just aren’t the same category carrier.