CommuteAir

Big-picture snapshot

CommuteAir is a regional airline operating as United Express under a capacity purchase agreement with United Airlines, flying a fleet of approximately 57-64 Embraer ERJ-145 regional jets from 2 domiciles. It is headquartered in Westlake, Ohio (suburban Cleveland), and employs approximately 450 active pilots represented by ALPA. Rick Hoefling serves as President and CEO, with founder John Sullivan as Executive Chairman. CommuteAir is partially owned by United Airlines (40% stake), with Champlain Enterprises holding the majority.

For interview purposes, the simplest way to frame CommuteAir is this: it is United Airlines' ERJ-145 workhorse — the sole remaining United Express operator of the venerable 50-seat Embraer ERJ-145, with a contract extended through 2028-2029. CommuteAir offers a $20,000 sign-on bonus for First Officers, an 8% maximum 401(k) company match, and direct-entry Captain positions with 1:1 pay scale credit for up to 20 years of prior Part 121 experience. It is a smaller, stable regional with only 2 domiciles (IAH and IAD) and no formal flow-through to United — but United's 40% ownership stake signals a deeper-than-typical relationship.

Company history

• 1989: Founded by John Sullivan as "CommutAir" (original spelling); began operations August 1 from Plattsburgh, New York, as a USAir marketing affiliate
• 1990s: Transitioned from USAir to Continental Connection, then to Continental Express
• 2010: Became United Express following the United-Continental merger
• 2020: When United ended its contract with ExpressJet Airlines, CommuteAir absorbed the ERJ-145 operations, becoming the sole United Express ERJ-145 operator
• 2022: Legal name changed from "CommutAir" to "CommuteAir" (July 26)
• 2023: January cybersecurity breach made headlines (no operational shutdown); continued stable operations
• 2025: United Airlines extended ERJ-145 contract through 2028-2029 (announced May 2025); opened new headquarters in Westlake, Ohio; closed Lincoln, Nebraska maintenance base (July, ~100 layoffs — facility consolidation, not cessation of operations); ~450 active pilots
• 2026: Continued United Express operations; actively hiring

Business model

CommuteAir operates exclusively under a capacity purchase agreement with United Airlines:

• United Express: All CommuteAir flights operate as United Express. United sells tickets, controls scheduling, and bears revenue risk. CommuteAir provides the aircraft, crew, and operation.
• Partial United ownership: United Airlines holds a 40% ownership stake in CommuteAir — deeper than a typical CPA relationship, though not a wholly owned subsidiary.
• Majority owner: Champlain Enterprises, Inc. holds the controlling interest. Founder John Sullivan remains Executive Chairman.
• ERJ-145 specialization: CommuteAir is the sole remaining United Express operator of the ERJ-145, a 50-seat regional jet that fills an important niche in United's network for thinner routes.

The May 2025 contract extension — renewed well before the standard renewal window — signals United's satisfaction with CommuteAir's performance and commitment to the ERJ-145 program through at least 2028-2029.

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