Passenger airline

A passenger airline is an airline dedicated to the transport of passengers. Passenger airlines usually operate a fleet of passenger aircraft which, rather than being owned outright, are usually leased from commercial aircraft sales and leasing companies.

There are several types of passenger airlines, mainly

• Charter airlines, operating outside regular schedule intervals
• Flag carriers – The historically nationally owned airlines that were considered representative of the country overseas.
• Legacy carriers – US carriers that predate the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978
• Major airlines of the United States – Airlines with at least $1 billion in revenues.
• Low-cost carriers, giving a "basic", "no-frills" and perceived inexpensive service
• Mainline airlines operate flights by the airline's main operating unit, rather than by regional affiliates or subsidiaries.
• Regional airlines, non-"mainline" airlines that operate regional aircraft. Regionals typically operate over shorter non-intercontinental distances, often as feeder services for legacy mainline networks.
• Business class airline – An airline aimed at the business traveler, featuring all business class seating and amenities.