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Eastern Air Express (formerly Hillwood Airways and ATX Air Services)[2][3] is an American charter airline headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. It was formerly a subsidiary of The Perot Group, which is controlled by Ross Perot, Jr.
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| Founded | 2013 (as ATX Air Services) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commenced operations | July 2017 (as Hillwood Airways) November 13, 2023 (as Eastern Air Express) | ||||||
| AOC # | 4TXA995N | ||||||
| Operating bases | Kansas City | ||||||
| Fleet size | 32 | ||||||
| Parent company | Eastern Air Holdings Inc.[1] | ||||||
| Headquarters | Kansas City, Missouri | ||||||
| Key people | |||||||
| Website | iflyea | ||||||
The airline was initially founded in 2013 as ATX Air Services and operated under a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 125 certificate, limiting the airline to only flying under long-term agreements with a few clients.[2]
ATX Air Services rebranded as Hillwood Airways in 2016,[3] received its FAA Part 121 Air Carrier Certification on July 24, 2017, and subsequently started charter operations.[4]
The airline commenced operations with a single Boeing 737-700C BBJ and currently offers it for charter in four configurations: 36 first-class seats with two conference tables, 60 first-class seats, 90 premium economy seats or as a full freighter. It is one of only a few Boeing 737 BBJs fitted with a full-size main-deck cargo door.[5]
Between 2019 and 2021 the airline took delivery of three regular Boeing 737-700s that were originally delivered to Airtran Airways and ConocoPhillips Alaska.[6] The three regulars 737-700s are available for charter in all-passenger configurations ranging from 60 first class to 100 premium economy seats.[5]
One of the airline's Boeing 737-700s was involved in the 2021 Kabul airlift.[7]
In May 2023, Eastern Air Holdings, owner of Eastern Airlines, announced its plans to acquire Hillwood Airways.[8] The airline was officially purchased on August 15, 2023, and continues to operate under its existing brand.[1] The company announced on November 13, 2023, its rebrand as Eastern Air Express.[9]
In February 2024, Eastern Air Holdings selected Kansas City, Missouri as its new headquarters.[10]
In April 2024, Eastern Air Holdings acquired the aircraft and other assets of iAero Airways.[11]
Current
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The Eastern Air Express fleet includes the following aircraft (as of April 2024):[5][12]
| Aircraft | In service |
Orders | Passengers | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | Y | Total | ||||
| Boeing 737-300 | 1 | 7 | – | 148 | 148 | |
| Boeing 737-300BDSF | — | 1 | Cargo | |||
| Boeing 737-400 | 2 | 16 | 12 | 138 | 150 | |
| Boeing 737-700 | 3 | — | VIP | Passenger seat count varies depending on the specific aircraft and its configuration. | ||
| Boeing 737-800 | 1[13] | 1 | – | 189 | 189 | |
| Total | 7 | 25 | ||||
Former
Eastern Air Express formerly operated the following aircraft:[12]
| Aircraft | Total | Introduced | Retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-700C/BBJ | 1 | 2017 | 2024 | Configured for both cargo-only and passenger operations. |
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