SKYW

Skywest Inc

A regional airline holding company based in St. George, Utah, that flies for bigger carriers — operating flights under the American Eagle, Delta Connection, United Express, and Alaska brands rather than selling its own tickets. It began in 1972 when lawyer J. Ralph Atkin and four friends formed a company for personal flying, then bought the assets of a failed local carrier, Dixie Airlines, and pivoted to commercial service. Its name blends its sky-focused business with its western roots, and the airline still flies from the small Utah desert town where it was born.