A passenger airline is an airline dedicated to the transport of passengers. Cf. cargo airline. Passenger airlines usually operate a fleet of passenger aircraft which, rather than being owned outright, are usually leased from commercial aircraft sales and leasing companies such as GECAS and ILFC. There are several types of passenger airlines, mainly
- Charter airlines, operating outside of regular schedule intervals
- Commuter airlines, servicing smaller communities; sometimes known as feeder airlines (and no longer air taxis due the advent of VLJs)
- Legacy airline, Legacy carrier
- Low-cost airlines, giving a "basic", "no-frills" and perceived inexpensive service
- Mainline airlines, the major "trunk" international airlines
- Pseudo airlines, airline marketing brands such as American Connection or US Airways Express, often mistaken for independent and fully certificated airlines
- Regional airlines, non-"mainline" airlines with aircraft seating up to 100 passengers and operating over shorter non-intercontinental distances
