Aha! parent ExpressJet files for bankruptcy and ceases flight operations
Aha! is no more.
The parent of the Reno-based ultra-low-cost carrier, ExpressJet Airlines, announced Tuesday it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was ceasing all flight operations, effective immediately.
Atlanta-based ExpressJet cited three reasons for the bankruptcy filing: growth challenges stemming from aircraft availability and airport infrastructure, revenue impacts from COVID-19 and the inability to bundle hotels, and high fuel prices.
"A combination of conditions led us to this decision," ExpressJet CEO Subodh Karnik said in a statement. "Despite the valiant efforts of our employees to overcome challenges, and despite great support by our cities and airports – especially Reno-Tahoe and the community there, we arrived at a point where termination of operations was in the best interest of our stakeholders."
Aha! flew to 11 cities from its hub at Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO).
Aha! — which stands for air, hotel, adventure — represented a rebirth of sorts for ExpressJet, a regional airline with its roots in the 1980s. The airline was once owned by Continental Airlines and later spun off. In the 2000s, it briefly operated flights using a low-cost model under the ExpressJet brand and was then acquired by SkyWest Airlines and merged with another regional airline, Atlantic Southeast Airlines. In addition to Continental and its successor, United Airlines, ExpressJet also operated flights for Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. ExpressJet operated more than 450 aircraft at the airline's peak.
Read more: United Airlines to drop ExpressJet as affiliate, threatening regional airline's survival
The end seemed likely for ExpressJet in 2020 when United announced it was terminating its regional flying agreement with the airline amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with Embraer Regional Jet flying being consolidated with another regional airline, CommutAir. At the time, United owned a 49% stake in the airline through a somewhat complicated ownership structure — a stake it continued to own until earlier this year. (Last year, United CEO Scott Kirby joked to TPG about selling off the stake.)
But ExpressJet soldiered on and never fully shut down after its United flying ended in September of 2020. It eventually began its Aha! flying in October of last year. As of today, the airline has three ERJ-145s. Using regional jets for a low-cost model is difficult due to the inherently high operating costs of the aircraft and the relatively low amount of seats available to spread the costs around — a fact especially true this summer as the price of jet fuel skyrocketed.
It's somewhat unusual for an airline to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and immediately shut down, as Chapter 11 permits a company to undergo a court-supervised restructuring. Aha!'s announcement speaks of liquidation of assets, which is what a different type of bankruptcy, Chapter 7, facilitates.
If you're booked on aha!, the airline says to contact your credit card company to request a refund, as aha! will not be assisting with alternate travel arrangements.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees