DALLAS — Mesa Airlines (YV), a key regional carrier partner for United Airlines (UA) under the United Express brand, has completed an important fleet transition by retiring all Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft and shifting exclusively to Embraer E175 jets. 

Finalized by March 2025, this strategic realignment marks the end of a three-year operational chapter for the CRJ-900s within UA’s network. It signals broader trends in regional aviation, including financial restructuring, fleet modernization, and evolving partnership dynamics. 

The transition is driven by UA’s seat-scope limitations and YV’s financial recovery efforts.

Background: Mesa’s CRJ-900 Operations

From American Eagle to United Express

Mesa Airlines initially operated its CRJ-900 fleet under the American Eagle brand, serving American Airlines’ (AA) regional network for over a decade. However, in March 2023, AA terminated its contract with YV, prompting the regional carrier to transition 38 CRJ-900s to United Express. 

This shift required YV to relocate its CRJ-900s from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), a hub for AA, to UA’s hubs in Houston and Denver. Despite the rebranding, the aircraft retained YV’s house colors—a white fuselage with minimal branding—to avoid the costs and downtime associated with repainting.

Fleet Utilization Challenges

The CRJ-900s entered UA’s network during pilot shortages and operational turbulence for regional carriers. YV’s existing partnership with UA, which included Embraer E175s, complicated the integration of the CRJ-900s due to scope clauses in UA’s pilot union agreements. 

These clauses restrict the number of regional aircraft with 70+ seats that can operate under the United Express banner, necessitating a delicate balance between Mesa’s CRJ-900s and E175s. By June 2024, YV operated 73 regional jets for United (55 E175s and 18 CRJ-900s), but UA later imposed a fleet cap of 60 aircraft, accelerating the CRJ-900 phaseout.

Financial Pressures and Restructuring Efforts

Mounting Losses and Debt Reduction

According to Flight Global, Mesa Air Group reported a US$19.9 million net loss in Q2 2024, exacerbating preexisting financial strains. To stabilize its balance sheet, YV executed multiple asset sales, including the December 2024 sale of 15 CRJ-900s to third parties for US$19 million and the January 2025 sale of 18 E175s to UA for US$229.1 million. 

The E175 sale directly addressed YV’s US$142 million debt to the U.S. Treasury, a remnant of pandemic-era loans. These divestitures reduced YV’s active fleet from 73 to 42 aircraft, focusing solely on E175s.

United’s Financial Support

United Airlines subsidized YV’s transition costs, agreeing to reimburse up to US$14 million for pilot retraining, maintenance reconfigurations, and operational adjustments. Additionally, United purchased two CRJ-700s from Mesa for USS$11 million, further alleviating YV’s liabilities. 

This financial backing underscores UA’s vested interest in maintaining YV as a reliable regional partner while adhering to pilot union constraints.

Operational Restructuring and Fleet Transition

Seat-Scope Limitations, Fleet Homogenization

United’s seat-scope clauses, which limit the number of 70+ seat aircraft operated by regional partners, directly influenced YV’s fleet transition. By March 2025, UA required YV to operate an all-E175 fleet, as the 76-seat E175s comply with scope agreements. 

In contrast, the CRJ-900s’ 76-seat configuration conflicted with commitments to other United Express partners like GoJet (G7) and Republic Airways (YX). Transitioning to a single aircraft type also streamlined YV’s operations, reducing maintenance complexity and crew training costs.

CRJ-900 Phaseout Timeline

Mesa operated its final CRJ-900 revenue flight on February 28, 2025, concluding a phased retirement that began in late 2024. 

The retired CRJ-900s, averaging 19 years old, were sold to AA’s subsidiary PSA Airlines (OH), which plans to induct 14 ex-Mesa CRJ-900s into its fleet by late 2025. This secondary market for CRJ-900s highlights their residual value despite declining prominence in UA’s network.

Strategic Implications for Regional Aviation

CRJ-900’s Declining Viability

The CRJ-900’s phaseout reflects its diminishing competitiveness against newer regional jets like the E175. Factors include higher fuel consumption, older avionics, and inferior passenger amenities (e.g., lack of Wi-Fi). 

Conversely, the E175 offers modern cabins, lower operating costs, and compliance with scope clauses, making it the preferred choice for airlines prioritizing efficiency.

Impact on Regional Networks

Mesa’s transition to an all-E175 fleet risks reducing service diversity at smaller airports traditionally reliant on CRJ-900s. However, UA’s broader regional strategy—which includes E175s operated by SkyWest (OO) and Republic Airways (YX)—aims to consolidate capacity on high-demand routes while maintaining connectivity. 

For instance, OO absorbed 20 E175s from YV in 2024, enhancing its United Express operations.

Pilot Workforce Dynamics

The CRJ-900’s retirement necessitated retraining YV’s pilots for E175 operations, a process supported by UA’s reimbursement package. This transition aligns with industry trends favoring common fleet types to optimize crew scheduling and reduce training overheads.

Bottom Line

Mesa Airlines’ fleet modernization is part of the regional aviation sector’s financial resilience and operational efficiency prioritization. 

By retiring CRJ-900s and standardizing its fleet around E175s, YV addresses UA’s scope clause requirements while positioning itself for long-term stability. The CRJ-900’s phased exit—partially offset by its reuse at OH—demonstrates the aircraft’s lingering utility in secondary markets. 

However, the industry-wide shift toward next-generation regional jets like the E175 demonstrates a realignment, emphasizing cost-effectiveness, passenger experience, and operational efficiency.

Stay connected at every stop along your journey! Get any Saily mobile data plan at 5% off with the code AIRWAYSMAG5 + up to 5GB free!