Air Columbus, officially Air Columbus Airways, and formerly Columbus Air Lines, is a major American airline headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. It operates a significant network of domestic and international flights from its main hubs at John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE). The airline is noted for having the largest fleet of Boeing 757-200 aircraft globally. Having a grand total of 257 aircraft, their main competitor is Air Midwest.
Air Columbus has been cited in aviation commentary as a spiritual predecessor to later Ohio-based airlines like Skybus and Comair, though it did not have a direct corporate relationship with either.
History Of Air Columbus Airlines[]
Early Years (1937–1987)
The airline was founded on January 17, 1937, as Columbus Air Lines, with its base of operations at Port Columbus International Airport (now John Glenn Columbus International Airport). The initial fleet consisted primarily of smaller, regional turboprops and piston-powered aircraft, including the Convair CV-580, Douglas DC-3, and Douglas DC-4. Columbus Air Lines primarily operated as a regional carrier, focusing on high-frequency, short-to-mid-range routes. The airline’s initial business strategy focused on efficient regional connectivity and proved financially successful, allowing for rapid expansion.
In the late 1960s, Columbus Air Lines began its transition to jet operations. It purchased its first jetliner, the Boeing 737-200, which quickly became the mainstay of the fleet. Following the introduction of the 737-200, the airline retired its Douglas DC-3 and DC-4 aircraft. While retaining its CV-580 turboprops, the airline further expanded its jet fleet with the acquisition of five Boeing 727-100s.
In 1983, the airline made a significant investment in its future fleet, purchasing ten Boeing 757-200s. This twinjet aircraft would become highly favored by the airline’s management and pilots.
Renaming and Major Expansion (1988–2025)[]
In 1988, to reflect its growing network and ambition beyond regional routes, the airline officially changed its name to Air Columbus. The Boeing 757-200 had by this point become the airline's flagship aircraft.
A major expansion occurred in 1992 with the establishment of a second operational hub at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE). This new hub provided Air Columbus with the capacity and infrastructure to handle larger aircraft and launch longer-haul domestic and, eventually, international services.
Boeing 737-100AX[]
In 2007, they worked with Boeing to re-create their famous 737-100, naming it 737–100 advanced experimental airliner (AXA, eventually shortened to advanced experimental AX)
Airline Rebrand (2026-Present)[]
On January 1st, 2026, Air Columbus started repainting their aircraft into the new livery, they also retired their A321-200 fleet in place of the newer A321LR, the new livery was being pained on aircraft every day in 2026, the fleet remodeling has been completed.
Headquarters and Hubs[]
Air Columbus is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. The airline's primary hub is John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH). The secondary hub is Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE).
Accusations[]
Palm Airways, purchased in 2018 after the airline reached bankruptcy.
Americana Airways, purchased in 2016 after the airline was sued by American Airlines.
Columbus Air Express, Purchased in 2010 after the airline went bankrupt.
Air Columbus Fleet[]
An Air Columbus Boeing 737-500 in the Christmas Livery with the registration N716AC.
Regional Fleet[]
| Aircraft | In-Service | Introduction |
| ATR-42/72 | 21 | 1990 |
| CRJ-200 | 22 | 1991 |
| CRJ-700 | 19 | 2008 |
| CRJ-900 | 11 | 2010 |
| ERJ-130 | 32 | 2003 (Launch Customer) |
| ERJ-135 | 30 | 2003 |
| ERJ-140 | 26 | 2003 |
| ERJ-145 | 15 | 2004 |
| ERJ-170 | 20 | 2009 |
| ERJ-175 | 16 | 2009 |
| DHC-1 | 5 | 1998 |
Historic fleet[]
| Aircraft | Retired | Introduction | Total |
| Airbus A330-200 | 2021 | 2000 | 13 |
| CV-240 | 1990 | 1937 | 131 |
| DC-3 | 1985 | 1937 | 86 |
| DC-4 | 1987 | 1946 | 62 |
| DC-8 | 2000 | 1980 | 91 |
| DC-10 | 2005 | 1982 | 74 |
| MD-11 | 2018 | 1990 | 23 |
| Boeing 727-100 | 2024 | 1962 | 101 |
| Boeing 737-300 | 2025 | 1993 | 82 |
| Boeing 747-200 | 2007 | 1975 | 4 |
| Boeing 747-400 | 2010 | 1991 | 2 |
| Boeing 767-200ER | 2022 | 1987 | 16 |
| EMB-120 | 2025 | 1989 | 136 |
| CRJ-100 | 2023 | 1991 | 81 |
Order Planned[]
| Aircraft | Delivery Date |
| Airbus A321-200 | 2026 |
| Airbus A321Neo | 2026 |
| Airbus A321LR | 2030 |
| Boeing 787-9 | Early 2026 |
| Boeing 737-MAX 7/8/9 | Mid 2026 |
| Embraer E190-E2/195-E2 | Late 2025-Mid 2026 |
Fictional[]
| Fictional Aircraft | In-Service | Introduction |
| WA-1 | NA | 1938 |
| WA-5 | NA | 1941 |
| WA-10 | NA | 1950 |
| WA-26 | 6 | 1975 |
| WA-28 (Launch Costumer) | 13 | 1975 |
| WA-31 | 61 | 1984 |
| WA-52 | No | 1997 |
| WA-82 | 7 | 1998 |
Routes[]
International[]
• Dublin, Ireland (DUB) – from BOS
Domestic[]
Ohio Hubs
• Cleveland (CLE)
• Columbus (CMH)
Domestic Destinations[]
• Atlanta (ATL) – from CMH
• Boston (BOS) – from CMH
• Charlotte (CLT) – from CMH
• Cincinnati (CVG) – from CLE
• Daytona Beach (DAB) – from CMH
• Denver (DEN) – from SFO, CMH
• Detroit (DTW) – from CLE
• Fort Lauderdale (FLL) – from CMH
• Huntington (HTS) – from CMH
• Jacksonville (JAX) – from CMH
• Key West (EYW) – from CMH
• Los Angeles (LAX) – from CMH
• Miami (MIA) – from CMH, CLE
• New York–JFK (JFK) – from CMH
• New York–LGA (LGA) – from CMH
• Orlando (MCO) – from CMH, CLE
• Punta Gorda (PGD) – from CMH
• Southwest Florida (Fort Myers) (RSW) – from CMH
• San Francisco (SFO) – from JFK, CMH, CLE
• St. Louis (STL) – from CMH
Liveries[]
Normal, it features a white fuselage and a large blue stripe that goes down in the Tail, (similar to Southwest Airlines) the plane silhouette on the tail is yellow. (made by YouTuber VH-KAM)
Retro, features in orange stripe, and a black underbelly, with the text Columbus Air Lines, with an eagle as the logo, the tail is horizontal black stripes instead of the cartoon plane.
Skybus Heritage, Skybus Airlines white Livery, with a yellow tail and yellow engines, the text “SKYBUS” is featured on the tail, however, not on the fuselage. This livery is only on one aircraft, that being N043SX, an ex Skybus A319.
Comair Heritage. Made to look like the classic Comair livery. With three red stripes and the text “COMAIR” on the tail, it is only featured on one CRJ-200, N951SW, which was purchased from Delta Air Lines.
Christmas livery, a color change on the base livery, feature on five aircraft, these aircraft only fly in December rarely, with text in Red saying, “Merry Christmas!” On the nose intersection.
Retired: This Livery was used by Air Columbus sense 1998-2025, the livery was changed in a vote on the Air Columbus YouTube account, the winner was submission A, (or the Calmliner, nickname is that because of the blue and yellow Hughes on the aircraft simulating calmness and trustiness) This livery featured a blue underbelly in light blue or baby blue, a golden yellow stripe, and a white fuselage, and the nosecone text “Helping You Fly!” The Silhouette of the plane was white.
Subsidiaries[]
Air Columbus Connect
Suncoast Airways (Formerly Palm Airways)
FyClassic.com (they operate 737-500s made to look like classic airlines liveries (most notably Southwest’s N505SW)
Incidents and Accidents[]
Aftermath of Columbus Air Lines Flight 2642.
May 7, 1993 Columbus Air Lines Flight 2642, an McDonnell Douglas DC-9-25 crashed into Lake Erie, The aircraft suffered catastrophic structural failure of its tail section while cruising at altitude over Lake Erie. Investigators attributed the failure to a combination of an uncontained engine failure and stress corrosion cracking in the rear pressure bulkhead, exacerbated by a severe winter storm that led to the aircraft entering an uncontrolled dive into the lake. All All 35 (31 passengers, 4 crew) died in the crash.
July 4, 2013, The 2013 Palm Beach mid air collision, also know as Air Columbus Flight 9531, an Airbus A320-200 would experience an Mid Air Collision above Palm Beach, Florida, the other plane, Delta Air Lines Flight 8212, a Boeing 737-800, operating under similar flight rules. The collision occurred during a high-altitude cruise phase in non-radar airspace over Central Florida. The investigation revealed errors in Air Traffic Control procedures and the failure of both flight to maintain adequate visual separation in cloud cover. 134 (All 68 on AC 9531; 66 on DL 8212) died.
January 5, 2016, Air Columbus Connect Flight 731, an Embraer ERJ-140 crashed in Kentucky, The regional jet, operating under the Air Columbus Connect banner, suffered a catastrophic in-flight failure of the left engine shortly after takeoff from a small regional airport, resulting in a fire and a subsequent loss of control. The aircraft crashed into a wooded area. Investigators found evidence of a manufacturing defect in the engine's turbine section. All 30 (27 passengers, 3 crew) died.
December 25, 2018, Air Columbus Flight 652, A Boeing 737-700 operating a domestic route suffered an uncontained failure of one engine shortly after reaching cruising altitude. The crew successfully executed a single-engine emergency landing at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). No passengers or crew were injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the wing and fuselage.
July 2, 2020, Air Columbus Flight 8842: An Airbus A320-200 inbound to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) experienced a failure of the left main landing gear to fully extend and lock. After exhausting all troubleshooting procedures, the crew performed an emergency landing on Runway 4R, resulting in the collapse and separation of the left main gear. The aircraft skidded to a halt on its engine nacelle. All passengers and crew were successfully evacuated with only minor injuries. The aircraft was written off.
November 14, 2025, Air Columbus Flight 936, an Boeing 777-200 that crashed in West Virginia, The flight was operating a transatlantic service when it experienced an in-flight fire in the main cargo hold. The crew declared an emergency but were unable to safely land the aircraft before control was lost. The triple-seven crashed into a remote, mountainous area. The NTSB investigation pointed to the improper handling and declaration of hazardous materials in the cargo bay as the primary cause. All 257 (240 passengers, 17 crew) died.
December 6th, 2025 Air Columbus Flight 1802, a Boeing 767-200ER, suffered a catastrophic runway collision while accelerating for takeoff at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Cause: The 767 collided with a smaller, Key Lime Air Metroliner III (Flight 88) that failed to follow Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructions to hold short of the active runway (Runway 24R/6L). The accident was determined to be a runway incursion. Fatalities: All 291 people on board the 767 were killed (284 passengers, 7 crew). Aftermath: The fictional NTSB investigation led to safety enhancements at LAX, including the implementation of Runway Status Lights (RWSL), and a nationwide review of ATC procedures.
December 9th, 2025 Air Columbus Flight 8823, An ATR-42 was a regional scheduled passenger flight originating from Tampa International Airport (TPA), with an intermediate stop at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), destined for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The long-haul route was designated for the smaller aircraft as a repositioning and commuter service. |}