New regional airline Aha! unveils first 8 routes, launch details
Editor's Note
It's been a busy year already for the U.S. airline industry.
Two new startups, Avelo Airlines and Breeze Airways, launched earlier this year and are already flying. Now a third entrant is gearing up for a splashy launch. Aha!, the leisure brand of long-time operator ExpressJet Airlines, will commence operations on Oct. 24, with eight routes from its new Reno-Tahoe base in Nevada.
Aha! is ExpressJet's latest venture. Founded in 1986, ExpressJet has a long history of operating regional jets between small- and mid-sized cities. It was even owned by Continental Airlines for some time, and most recently flew exclusively on behalf of United Express in mid-2020.
Due to the pandemic, however, United ended its contract with ExpressJet and the carrier ceased operations — and now, the airline is officially back with a new name and strategy.
Aha! stands for "air, hotel, adventure," and the new airline is designed to bring leisure travelers to its Reno base from "underserved" markets along the West Coast. Reno is known for its casino resorts, dining and year-round outdoor activities — including nearby Lake Tahoe — and Aha! is hoping to turn its first hub into an easily accessible destination from points in California, Oregon and Washington.
As you might expect, the airline will deploy the 50-seat Embraer 145 regional jet — the same plane type that it flew for United Express — on its routes. The plane is outfitted in a 1-2 all-coach arrangement.
One-way fares begin at $49, and ancillary options including seats and bags are available for an additional fee ranging from $10 to $100. The full list of eight new routes is below. Flights can be booked on www.flyaha.com or through the airline's call center at 775-439-0888.
The airline's inaugural is scheduled for Oct. 24 from Reno to Pasco/Tri-Cities, Washington, on Flight 7082, departing at 2:05 p.m. local time.
While the airline is launching with just eight markets, it has plans to expand to more than 20 cities in the coming months.
Interestingly, Aha! and Avelo Airlines share a similar launch strategy. Avelo began with one hub in Burbank on the West Coast and has since expanded with more routes and a new base in New Haven, Connecticut, on the East Coast.
Aha! hasn't tipped its hat at what its growth plans might look like, but it'll be interesting to follow whether it expands with more routes from Reno, adds a new hub city or a mix of both.
Aha! launch routes
| Market | Launch Date |
|---|---|
Pasco/Tri-Cities, Washington (PSC) | 10/24/21 |
Bakersfield, California (BFL) | 10/25/21 |
Medford/Ashland, Oregon (MFR) | 10/31/21 |
Eugene/Springfield, Oregon (EUG) | 11/1/21 |
Ontario, California (ONT) | 11/4/21 |
Redmond/Bend, Oregon (RDM) | 11/5/21 |
Eureka/Arcata, California (ACV) | 11/9/21 |
Fresno, California (FAT) | 11/10/21 |
Editor's note: This post was updated to correct information regarding the location of Aha!'s Reno base.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.