When booking a flight, you may notice that airlines are categorized as either mainline, regional, or commuter. Understanding the differences between these different types of carriers can help you find the best option for your needs and positively impact your travel experience. So let’s discuss what sets each type of airline apart so you can book your next flight with confidence.
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Mainline Airlines
Mainline airlines are the largest and most well-known carriers, such as Delta, United, American, and Southwest. These airlines operate a large number of flights to various destinations, often with larger planes that can easily carry 100 or more passengers and have more amenities such as in-flight entertainment and first-class seating. They typically operate out of major airports and have their own terminals.
Advantages of Mainline Airlines
Mainline Airlines have a number of advantages that make them more attractive to passengers. One of the biggest advantages is their greater selection of routes and destinations. These airlines often operate out of major airports, which can provide more options for passengers looking to travel to a wide range of domestic and international destinations. Additionally, mainline airlines typically offer a greater selection of amenities, including in-flight entertainment, Wi-Fi, first class seating, and food and beverage options. Many mainline airlines have lower operating costs per seat than regional airlines, which can potentially mean lower fares for their customers. They will also frequently provide special benefits or programs to their customers such as easier booking and frequent flyer loyalty programs.
Disadvantages of Mainline Airlines
While Mainline Airlines offer a wide range of amenities, there are also some potential drawbacks for passengers. One of the primary disadvantages of mainline airlines is the increased costs associated with the amenities they offer. Additionally, mainline airlines typically operate out of major airports, which can lead to larger crowds, longer lines, and potential delays or cancellations. Part of the reason mainline airlines operate out of major airports is that they operate larger aircraft, which aren’t a good fit for smaller airports with fewer passengers, resulting in them serving fewer markets.
Regional Airlines
Regional airlines are smaller carriers that frequently operate under a major airline’s brand. Examples of regional airlines include American Eagle, Delta Connection, and United Express. These airlines serve smaller cities and towns, and they often fly shorter routes with smaller planes (generally seating between 50 to 80 passengers).
Advantages of Regional Airlines
Similar to mainline airlines, regional airlines can offer a number of advantages for their passengers. One of the biggest advantages of regional airlines is their ability to serve smaller and more remote destinations that may not be accessible by larger airlines. This can be especially important for passengers who live in or are looking to travel to more rural or isolated areas as it can save people both time and money by not having to drive to and from larger airports. In addition, regional airlines may offer a more personalized and comfortable travel experience due to their smaller planes and fewer passengers, along with the relatively sparser crowds in the smaller communities and airports they serve.
Disadvantages of Regional Airlines
Regional Airlines are great, but they also have some potential disadvantages for their passengers. Chief among them is their limited amenities. These airlines often operate smaller planes with limited seating and fewer amenities, such as no in-flight entertainment or limited food options. Some sources also suggest that regional airlines may face more cancellations or delays than mainline airlines, due to factors such as weather, crew shortages, or maintenance issues. Finally, regional airlines may require more frequent layovers due to flying shorter routes, which can add to travel time and make for a more frustrating travel experience.
Commuter Airlines
Commuter airlines are the smallest of the three types of airlines. They are a type of regional airline that primarily serve local communities and are popular options among passengers who travel frequently between nearby destinations. These airlines operate small planes, such as turboprops or regional jets, with limited seating and typically fly short distances. Some commuter airlines function as independent carriers, while others operate under the umbrella of mainline airlines.
Advantages of Commuter Airlines
Commuter airlines offer one distinct advantage for their passengers, which is their ability to offer more direct flights to local, smaller, or more isolated destinations. These flights, which can be more convenient than driving or taking a train can help commuters and other travelers save both time and money.
Disadvantages of Commuter Airlines
While many of their passengers are big fans of commuter airlines, these airlines also have some potential drawbacks. The first disadvantage for many customers is the smaller planes used by these airlines, which might cause anxiety for some passengers. In addition, these smaller planes mean limited seating, and fewer amenities, which can make for a less comfortable and enjoyable travel experience. Lastly, as we covered earlier some commuter airlines may face a slightly increased likelihood of cancellations or delays when compared to their mainline counterparts.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, for me, I love getting on a mainline airline for a nonstop flight to my destination with all the amenities that a mainline carrier offers. That said if I am leaving from or traveling to a smaller airport or a more remote destination I have had no problem in the past and would have no problem in the future if I need to use a regional or commuter airline to get me where I need to go.
In the end, what matters most is understanding the differences between each type of airline so you can make the right choice for your next trip. Hopefully, this article helped highlight those differences so you are better able to choose an airline that best fits your needs on your next trip.
