American Airlines and United Airlines are sending Airbus A319s to routes once dominated by regional jets like CRJs and Embraer aircraft. The shift is showing up at airports including Flagstaff Pulliam (FLG) and Appleton International (ATW), bringing larger cab
For years, smaller U.S. cities have lived with a familiar kind of flight: a regional jet—often cramped, sometimes delayed by staffing—standing in for mainline service that looked out of reach.
That era is starting to fade. In recent months. both American Airlines and United Airlines have expanded Airbus A319 operations into smaller markets that traditionally relied on Bombardier CRJ and Embraer regional jets. The change has been especially visible this spring. with A319 appearances at airports such as Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) and Appleton International Airport (ATW).
On the passenger side, the upgrade is easy to feel. A319 service brings larger cabins, more premium seating, and improved onboard amenities—an everyday shift that matters to travelers who don’t typically get to board the same aircraft they see in bigger hubs.
At Flagstaff, the change became official when American Airlines introduced the airport’s first-ever scheduled Airbus A319 service. The new flights replaced smaller CRJ regional jets operating between Flagstaff and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Airport officials say the larger aircraft also brings performance benefits for the region’s high-altitude conditions.
Flagstaff Pulliam Airport sits at roughly 7. 000 feet (2. 134 m) above sea level. where higher elevation and warmer temperatures can affect aircraft performance. Regional jets have historically been common at the airport, in part due to operational considerations tied to high-altitude airports. Yet the A319 can operate on these routes while offering significantly more seats than the smaller regional aircraft typically used on them.
Brian Gall, the airport director at Flagstaff, described the moment as more than just a new plane.
“This Airbus A319 is going to be our first mainline aircraft, meaning the first aircraft that is actually owned and operated by American Airlines, and even has like an American Airlines call sign while it’s in the air.”
Gall and local leaders are reading the shift as a sign of growing demand in northern Arizona, with mainline service often viewed as stronger long-term airline confidence. The move also places Flagstaff among a growing number of smaller U.S. airports that now regularly see larger narrowbody aircraft.
Appleton is seeing a similar signal, just from a different angle. At Appleton International Airport (ATW) in Wisconsin. aviation enthusiasts have spotted A319 aircraft from both American and United Airlines operating flights that are typically handled by regional jets. For Appleton travelers. the swap is about comfort and capacity: compared with CRJ regional jets. A319s offer wider cabins. larger overhead storage bins. expanded first-class sections. and a more modern onboard experience.
Those improvements are landing as airlines compete for higher-yield leisure and business travelers. and they also fit how carriers are reshaping domestic networks in mid-sized markets. Demand patterns strengthened in many regional markets since the pandemic. and that has helped airlines profitably operate larger aircraft while reducing the number of individual flights needed to move passengers through major hub airports.
Behind the scenes, the pilot problem has been a key pressure point. The shift toward mainline aircraft is tied to an ongoing pilot staffing shortage affecting regional airlines. Smaller regional carriers have struggled to recruit and retain pilots. partly because major airlines have been hiring experienced regional pilots at higher wages. At the same time, the post-pandemic recovery increased demand faster than the pilot pipeline could replenish.
So major airlines have increasingly “upgauged” some routes—using larger mainline aircraft like the A319 instead of smaller regional jets. That approach lets airlines carry similar numbers of passengers with fewer total flights and less reliance on regional affiliates. It can also come with trade-offs: fewer flights can reduce frequency. and it’s only practical in markets with enough demand to justify the aircraft size.
Economics adds another lever. A319s cost more to operate overall. but they can deliver lower per-seat costs when passenger demand exceeds what a regional jet can carry. Airlines can also bring in more premium-cabin revenue because mainline aircraft typically include larger first-class cabins and extra-legroom seating options.
For passengers. the result so far has largely looked like an improvement in the everyday experience—more seats. a roomier cabin. and the kind of onboard product more common on big-city routes. As American and United continue reshaping their domestic networks. more communities across the United States could soon see A319s replacing the regional jets that once defined small-city air travel.
American Airlines United Airlines Airbus A319 regional jets CRJ Embraer Flagstaff Pulliam Appleton International DFW pilot staffing shortage mainline aircraft air travel upgrades