GoJet Airlines
GoJet Airlines is a U.S. regional carrier that operates scheduled feeder flights for major airlines under the United Express brand.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
GoJet Airlines LLC is a privately held U.S. regional airline headquartered in Bridgeton, Missouri. It is wholly owned by Trans States Holdings and primarily operates short-haul, commuter-style flights for larger airline partners rather than selling most of its flying under an independent consumer brand. Its principal current relationship is with United Airlines, for which GoJet operates United Express services from United hubs including Chicago O'Hare, Newark Liberty and Washington Dulles. The airline serves destinations in the United States and Canada using regional jet aircraft. GoJet was established by Trans States Holdings in late 2004 to replace capacity that was being lost when Atlantic Coast Airlines departed the United Express system. The new carrier took delivery of its first Bombardier CRJ700 in June 2005, received its initial Air Carrier Operating Certificate in September of that year and began scheduled passenger service on October 4, 2005, with a United Express flight between Cincinnati and Chicago. By the end of 2009, its fleet had grown to 25 CRJ700 aircraft. The airline later expanded beyond United Express. In January 2012, it began operating for Delta Air Lines under the Delta Connection brand, initially using CRJ700 aircraft transferred from other regional operations. GoJet subsequently added leased CRJ900 aircraft for Delta Connection flying, beginning that service in late 2014. The Delta relationship ended during the severe contraction in regional and mainline air travel associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Delta and GoJet agreed to end the remaining operation early, and Delta Connection flying ceased on March 31, 2020. GoJet's CRJ900 operation ended at approximately the same time, while its United Express activity continued. GoJet became the launch operator of the Bombardier CRJ550 program. Announced by United Airlines and Bombardier Aviation in February 2019, the CRJ550 is a 50-seat conversion of the CRJ700 rather than a separate aircraft manufactured as a new-build model. The conversion adds a three-cabin arrangement with 10 first-class seats, 20 Economy Plus seats and 20 economy seats, along with enlarged onboard storage cabinets and an upgraded galley. The design was intended to provide a more differentiated regional passenger experience while remaining within contractual scope limits governing regional aircraft operated for United. The airline's operations are supported by a system operations center, training center and corporate offices located in Bridgeton at a former Trans World Airlines and Ozark Airlines training complex. Its primary maintenance facility occupies a former McDonnell Douglas factory hangar at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, with maintenance personnel also positioned at its destinations and crew bases. GoJet's call sign, "Lindbergh," refers to aviator Charles Lindbergh and his 1927 transatlantic flight in the Spirit of St. Louis. GoJet's sister airlines, Trans States Airlines and Compass Airlines, were closed by Trans States Holdings in April 2020 amid the pandemic-era collapse in demand and difficult economics for regional aviation. GoJet nevertheless remained an active United Express operator. Its business model continues to depend on capacity-purchase and branded-operations agreements, aircraft deployment decisions made with major airline partners, and the economics of regional jets rather than on a broad independent route network or standalone loyalty proposition.
History
GoJet Airlines was created in late 2004 by Trans States Holdings as a new regional operator for United Airlines. Its formation followed the departure of Atlantic Coast Airlines from the United Express system and was intended to preserve regional feeder capacity at United's Chicago O'Hare hub. GoJet received its first Bombardier CRJ700 in June 2005, obtained its initial Air Carrier Operating Certificate in September and began scheduled operations on October 4, 2005, with a United Express flight from Cincinnati to Chicago. The company expanded during its first years and had taken delivery of its 25th CRJ700 by the end of 2009. The carrier diversified its contracted flying in the early 2010s. Delta Air Lines announced in October 2011 that GoJet would join the Delta Connection network, and GoJet inaugurated that operation on January 22, 2012, with a flight from St. Louis to Detroit. The initial arrangement involved CRJ700 aircraft transferred from other Delta regional operations and aircraft associated with SkyWest Airlines. In late 2013, GoJet agreed to expand its Delta flying through leased CRJ900 aircraft, with the larger regional jets entering service in late 2014. Much of the Delta operation was based around Detroit, Minneapolis-Saint Paul and Raleigh-Durham. Delta announced in August 2019 that it would terminate operating agreements with GoJet and Compass Airlines. Aircraft used by GoJet for Delta were to be transferred to other operators or returned to the broader leasing and regional-aircraft market. The planned transition was accelerated by the COVID-19 crisis. With passenger demand and bookings collapsing in early 2020, GoJet and Delta ended the remaining Delta Connection service on March 31, 2020. GoJet's CRJ900 flying for Delta ceased during the same period. In April 2020, Trans States Holdings closed sister carriers Trans States Airlines and Compass Airlines, citing the unprecedented economic conditions and an unsustainable operating environment associated with the pandemic. GoJet continued operating for United Express. A major later development was the introduction of the CRJ550. In February 2019, United Airlines and Bombardier Aviation identified GoJet as the first operator of the type. The CRJ550 is created by converting Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft into 50-seat regional jets. The conversion removes seats and adds storage cabinets, a larger service galley, and updated cabin furnishings. Its standard arrangement comprises 10 first-class seats, 20 Economy Plus seats and 20 economy seats. The aircraft's maximum takeoff weight is limited to 65,000 pounds to comply with United pilot-scope restrictions, which can constrain payload in adverse weather or other situations requiring additional fuel. GoJet's physical infrastructure reflects its role as a regional operating company. Its corporate offices, training center and system operations center are co-located in Bridgeton, Missouri, in facilities formerly associated with Trans World Airlines and Ozark Airlines. Its main maintenance base uses a former McDonnell Douglas factory hangar at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, while maintenance staff support operations at destinations and crew bases. The airline's network has included more than 80 destinations in the United States and Canada, with crew bases reported at Chicago O'Hare, St. Louis, Newark, Washington Dulles and Houston. GoJet's current identity is therefore principally tied to United Express regional flying and the deployment of CRJ550 aircraft, rather than an independently marketed nationwide airline.
- 2020
Delta Connection flying ends
[1]The remaining GoJet-operated Delta Connection flights end on March 31 amid the pandemic-driven collapse in travel demand.
- 2020
Sister airlines close
[1]Trans States Holdings closes Trans States Airlines and Compass Airlines in April, while GoJet continues operating.
- 2019
GoJet selected for CRJ550 launch
[1]United and Bombardier announce GoJet as the first operator of the 50-seat CRJ550 conversion.
- 2014
CRJ900 service enters operation
[1]GoJet begins operating leased CRJ900 aircraft for its Delta Connection agreement.
- 2012
Delta Connection operations begin
[1]GoJet launches Delta Connection flying with a St. Louis-Detroit inaugural service on January 22.
- 2005
First aircraft and operating certificate
[1]GoJet takes delivery of its first CRJ700 in June and receives its initial Air Carrier Operating Certificate in September.
- 2005
Scheduled service begins
[1]The airline begins scheduled United Express passenger service on October 4 with a Cincinnati-Chicago flight.
- 2004
GoJet Airlines is established
[1]Trans States Holdings establishes GoJet as a regional airline intended to operate United Express services.
Products and positioning
A behind-the-scenes regional airline partner focused on operating efficient short-haul jet services for major network carriers, principally United Airlines.
Airline service · 2005
United Express regional flights
GoJet's principal current offering is scheduled regional passenger service operated under United Airlines' United Express brand. The flights connect United hubs with smaller and midsize markets in the United States and Canada, functioning as feeder services into United's wider network. GoJet supplies the aircraft, crews, maintenance and operational systems while passengers generally experience the service as part of the United Express network rather than as a separately marketed GoJet itinerary.
Regional jet · 2019
Bombardier CRJ550
The CRJ550 is a 50-seat conversion of the Bombardier CRJ700 used for United Express operations. Its cabin is arranged with 10 first-class seats, 20 Economy Plus seats and 20 economy seats. Conversion work adds large floor-level storage cabinets, a larger galley and refreshed interior fittings. The aircraft is operationally based on the CRJ700 but carries a lower maximum takeoff weight to satisfy United pilot-scope provisions, which may limit payload when extra fuel is needed.
Regional jet · 2005
Bombardier CRJ700
The CRJ700 was GoJet's initial aircraft type and supported its early United Express operation as well as the beginning of its Delta Connection flying. A number of GoJet CRJ700 aircraft were later converted into CRJ550 aircraft for United Express service. The type has also been used by GoJet in configurations and operating arrangements associated with its major-airline contracts.
Regional jet · 2014
Bombardier CRJ900
GoJet operated leased CRJ900 aircraft for Delta Connection beginning in late 2014. The CRJ900 operation ended when the Delta agreement was terminated in 2020, and the aircraft were subsequently placed with other operators or otherwise re-leased.
Brand decisions
2020
End Delta Connection operationsStrategyBackground
Delta had announced the termination of its GoJet operating agreement, and the COVID-19 pandemic sharply reduced demand for air travel in early 2020.
Action taken
GoJet and Delta ended the remaining Delta Connection flying on March 31, 2020, and GoJet ceased operating the associated CRJ900 service.
Aftermath
GoJet's operating focus returned primarily to United Express, while Delta-associated aircraft moved to other operators or leasing arrangements.
2019
Adopt the CRJ550 as a United Express regional platformProduct launchBackground
United Airlines and Bombardier sought a 50-seat regional aircraft that could offer a more premium cabin and greater carry-on storage while remaining within United's pilot-scope limits.
Action taken
GoJet was selected as the first operator of the CRJ550, created by converting CRJ700 aircraft and installing a three-cabin interior.
Aftermath
The CRJ550 became a central aircraft type in GoJet's continuing United Express operation.
Sources1 sources
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