Which airline is black owned?

United States – Air Atlanta; first airline that is largely owned by Black people. Air Atlanta was started by attorneys Michael Hollis and Daniel Kolber in February 1984.



In 2026, there is no major "mainline" US airline (like Delta or United) that is entirely Black-owned, but several smaller and historically significant carriers fit this category. Airlift International was a notable example in the past, but today, Red Way (which ceased operations in 2023) and Global Crossing Airlines (GlobalX) have significant Black leadership and investment. On a global scale, Interjet (Mexico) and several regional African carriers like Air Peace (Nigeria) are Black-owned and operated. A supportive peer "industry" detail: while the "Big Four" are publicly traded corporations, the focus in 2026 has shifted toward "Black-led" initiatives and increasing diversity in the cockpit and C-suite. For example, American Airlines and United have major partnership programs with HBCUs to fund flight training for Black pilots, aiming to correct the historical underrepresentation in the industry where currently only about 3% of commercial pilots are Black.

People Also Ask

Wheeler Airlines was the operating name of Wheeler Flying Service (WHAA), the first black-owned airline certificated in the US by the FAA, which also helped integrate the pilots at major US air carriers by qualifying a large number of black pilots that were subsequently hired by the nation's major airlines.

MORE DETAILS

David Gary Neeleman (born October 16, 1959) is a Brazilian-American businessman. He has founded five commercial airlines: Morris Air, WestJet, JetBlue Airways, Azul Brazilian Airlines, and Breeze Airways. Along with Humberto Pedrosa and Aigle Azur, he owned 45% of TAP Air Portugal.

MORE DETAILS

Originally the company was founded in 1964 as the Clipper Trucking Company, with the airline service starting in 1980 as Charter One, a Detroit-based charter flight company. In 1992, the company changed its name to Spirit Airlines and commenced its first scheduled flights within the United States.

MORE DETAILS

Alaska Air Group, Inc. SeaTac, Washington, U.S. The group owns two certificated airlines, Alaska Airlines, a mainline carrier, and Horizon Air, a regional carrier.

MORE DETAILS

KLM, officially known as KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, holds the prestigious title of being the oldest airline in the world still operating under its original name. Founded on October 7th, 1919, by a visionary group led by Dutch pilot Albert Plesman (1889–1953), KLM has a rich history that spans over a century.

MORE DETAILS

KLM, officially known as KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, holds the prestigious title of being the oldest airline in the world still operating under its original name. Founded on October 7th, 1919, by a visionary group led by Dutch pilot Albert Plesman (1889–1953), KLM has a rich history that spans over a century.

MORE DETAILS

British Airways PLC, British air transport company formed in April 1974 in the fusion of British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC, formed in 1939), British European Airways (BEA, formed in 1946), and their associated companies.

MORE DETAILS

Aer Lingus (/???r 'l??g?s/ air LING-g?s; an anglicisation of the Irish aerloingeas [?e???'l??????s?], meaning air fleet) is the flag carrier of Ireland. Founded by the Irish Government, it was privatised between 2006 and 2015 and it is now a wholly owned subsidiary of International Airlines Group (IAG).

MORE DETAILS