Mesa Airlines History: From Farmington to United Express – Airline Employee Shop

Mesa Airlines History

Mesa Airlines grew from a one-route shuttle in New Mexico into one of America's biggest regional airlines, flying for nearly every major carrier. Here's a short history of Mesa, plus the Mesa Airlines collection that celebrates it.

A shuttle in Farmington (1980-1989)

Mesa began in 1980 as Mesa Air Shuttle, a flight division of JB Aviation in Farmington, New Mexico. It flew one route, to Albuquerque, with a single-engine Piper Saratoga, and added a twin-engine Piper Navajo Chieftain in 1981. Larry and Janie Risley bought the company in 1982 and grew it with Beechcraft 99 turboprops. By 1985 the 19-seat Beechcraft 1900 was the backbone of the fleet. Mesa went public on the Nasdaq in 1987.

Flying for the majors (1990-2005)

In February 1990 Mesa began flying as United Express from Denver, and it took over Aspen Airways' Denver operation that year. It bought Air Midwest in 1991, which flew as USAir Express. In 1992 Mesa signed to fly as America West Express at Phoenix, and in 1998 it moved its headquarters from Farmington to Phoenix. Over the years Mesa companies also flew as US Airways Express, and in 2005 Mesa agreed for its Freedom Airlines to fly as Delta Connection.

go! Hawaii and the jet era (2006-2023)

In 2006 Mesa launched go!, its own airline between the Hawaiian islands, which flew until April 1, 2014. After a bankruptcy restructuring, Mesa focused on regional jets. It flew as American Eagle from 2014 until April 3, 2023. In 2022 United signed to add CRJ900s at Mesa and took a 10% stake in the company.

All Embraer and a merger (2025-today)

Mesa flew its last CRJ900 revenue flight on February 28, 2025, leaving an all-Embraer 175 fleet. On April 7, 2025, Republic Airways announced plans to combine with Mesa, and the merger closed on November 25, 2025. The combined company took the Republic Airways Holdings name. Mesa crews fly only as United Express, under a 10-year agreement, while the two operations are brought together.

A few things collectors love

  • Mesa's first aircraft was a single-engine Piper Saratoga on the Farmington to Albuquerque run.
  • The go! brand gave Mesa its own island-hopping airline in Hawaii for about eight years.
  • Few airlines have flown under as many partner brands as Mesa: United Express, America West Express, US Airways Express, Delta Connection and American Eagle.

Shop Mesa Airlines

Browse Mesa Airlines logo T-shirts, coffee mugs, coasters, tote bags and vintage designs in the Mesa Airlines collection. Add an airline bag tag or key tag for the frequent flyer in your life.

AirlineEmployeeShop.com is an independent retailer of airline memorabilia. This page is for historical interest and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Mesa Airlines.