"how many airlines are there in the united states?"
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The count of U.S. airlines ranges from about 83 scheduled carriers to roughly 425 domestic airline businesses, depending on how “airline” is defined.
AI Consensus
Models Agreed
- All models report 83 scheduled airlines as the core count for commercial carriers. bold key phrase: scheduled airlines.
- The 18 major carriers figure appears consistently across sources. bold key phrase: major carriers.
- The broader industry count of 425 domestic airline businesses is cited by multiple responses. bold key phrase: domestic airline businesses.
- The 2021 operational total of 61 airlines is agreed upon. bold key phrase: airlines in operation.
Points of Debate
- The informal 59‑airline estimate from Quora is mentioned only by one model and lacks official backing. bold key phrase: 59 airlines.
How Many Airlines Are There in the United States?
The number of airlines in the United States is not a single fixed figure; it changes with the classification used.
| Classification | Approximate Count | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled commercial airlines | 83 | Includes all carriers that publish a regular schedule. 18 of these are major carriers with > $1 billion revenue each. 2 |
| Airlines in operation (2021) | 61 | All passenger airlines that were actively operating in 2021, covering both major and regional carriers. 3 |
| Domestic airline businesses | 425 | Broadest count, covering every airline‑related business operating domestically, such as regional affiliates, charter operators, and subsidiaries. 5 |
| Informal counts | ≈ 59 | Community‑sourced estimate from Q&A sites; not based on official data. 7 |
Why the Numbers Differ
- Definition scope – Some counts include only scheduled carriers, while others add charter, cargo, and regional affiliates.
- Reporting period – Data from 2021 versus 2023‑2024 reflect industry growth, mergers, and airline failures.
- Data source – Government databases (BTS, FAA) report certificate holders; market‑research firms (IbisWorld) count business entities.
Takeaway
When asking “how many airlines,” specify whether you mean scheduled carriers, all operating passenger airlines, or every airline‑related business. The most commonly cited figure for scheduled carriers is 83, but the broader industry comprises over 400 businesses.
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