List of defunct airlines of the United States (Q–Z)

This is a list of defunct airlines that were based in the United States, covering airlines whose names started with the letters Q through Z. An airline is considered defunct when it ceases operating flights, typically due to bankruptcy, merger, acquisition, or cessation of operations for other reasons. This list includes airlines that held an operating certificate from the United States Department of Transportation or its predecessor agencies at some point in their history, even if operations were limited. It does not include air taxi services that did not operate under scheduled airline regulations. Note that the legal name of the operating company may not always match the branding under which the airline operated. This list is not exhaustive but attempts to present a comprehensive overview.

Qwest Air: (Date of Operation unknown). Regional airline.
QwikAir: (Date of Operation unknown).

Ransome Airlines: (1967-1986). Acquired by Pan Am and renamed Pan Am Express.
Reeve Aleutian Airways: (1932-2000). Ceased operations due to financial difficulties.
Resort Air: (Date of Operation unknown).
Rich International Airways: (1969-1996). Cargo and charter airline.
Rio Airways: (1970-1988). Regional airline serving Texas and the Southwest.
Roberts Aircraft Company: (Date of Operation unknown).
Rocky Mountain Airways: (1961-1986). Acquired by Continental Airlines and became part of Continental Express.
Royal American Airways: (Date of Operation unknown).

SAETA: (1960-1999). Ecuadorian airline with service to the United States. Defunct.
Salmon Air: (Date of Operation unknown).
Scenic Airlines: (1927-2008). Primarily a sightseeing airline operating in the Grand Canyon area; filed for bankruptcy.
Scheduled Skyways: (1945-1972). Regional airline based in Arkansas.
Seaboard World Airlines: (1946-1980). All-cargo airline; merged with Flying Tiger Line.
Seminole Air Charter: (Date of Operation unknown).
Shawnee Airlines: (1967-1982). Regional airline serving Florida and the Caribbean.
Sierra Pacific Airlines: (1971-1995). Charter airline based in Tucson, Arizona.
Simmons Airlines: (1969-1994). Operated as a Northwest Airlink carrier; later merged into Mesaba Airlines.
Skybus Airlines: (2007-2008). Low-cost airline; ceased operations due to financial issues.
Skagway Air Service: (Date of Operation unknown).
Skyways Airlines: (Date of Operation unknown).
SMB Stage Line: (Date of Operation unknown).
Southeast Airlines: (Date of Operation unknown).
Southern Airways: (1949-1979). Merged with North Central Airlines to form Republic Airlines.
Southern Belle: (Date of Operation unknown).
Southwest Airlines (Original): (1934-1934). An unrelated early carrier named "Southwest Air Fast Express" that predated the modern Southwest Airlines.
Southwestern Skyways: (Date of Operation unknown).
Spantax: (1959-1988). Spanish airline with service to the United States; declared bankruptcy.
StatesWest Airlines: (1987-1995). Regional airline operating as a United Express carrier.
Sterling Airways: (1962-1993). Danish charter airline with service to the United States; went bankrupt.
Sun Aire Lines: (1974-1995). Regional airline.
Sun Country Airlines (Original): (1983-2001). Filed for bankruptcy in 2001; an unrelated airline later revived the Sun Country name.
Sun Pacific Airlines: (Date of Operation unknown).
Sun West Airlines: (Date of Operation unknown).
Superior Aviation: (Date of Operation unknown).

TAG Airlines: (Date of Operation unknown).
Texas International Airlines: (1947-1982). Formerly Trans-Texas Airways; merged with Continental Airlines.
Texas National Airlines: (Date of Operation unknown).
Thai Airways International (Original): (1960-2020). The original Thai Airways International was restructured in 2020. A new entity now operates under the same name. Service to the United States discontinued long before restructuring.
TWA (Trans World Airlines): (1930-2001). Acquired by American Airlines.
Trans-Florida Airlines: (Date of Operation unknown).
Trans Island Airways: (Date of Operation unknown).
Trans Southern Airways: (Date of Operation unknown).
Trans-Texas Airways: (1947-1969). Renamed Texas International Airlines.
Transamerica Airlines: (1979-1986). Charter airline owned by Transamerica Corporation.
Transocean Air Lines: (1946-1961). Supplemental airline.
Trump Shuttle: (1989-1992). Renamed Shuttle, Inc.
Turbo Air Cargo: (Date of Operation unknown).

USAir: (1939-1997). Formerly All American Airways, Allegheny Airlines; renamed US Airways.
US Airways: (1997-2015). Merged with American Airlines.
U.S. Caribbean Airways: (Date of Operation unknown).
Union Flights: (Date of Operation unknown).
United States Airlines: (Date of Operation unknown).
Universal Airlines: (Date of Operation unknown).

ValuJet Airlines: (1993-1997). Merged with AirTran Airways.
Vanguard Airlines: (1994-2002). Low-cost airline; ceased operations due to financial difficulties.
Vee Neal Airlines: (Date of Operation unknown).
Venezuelan International Airways (VIASA): (1960-1997). Formerly a major Venezuelan airline with service to the United States; ceased operations.
Virgin America: (2007-2018). Acquired by Alaska Airlines.
Vision Airlines: (1994-2018). Formerly known as National Air Cargo and later as Southeast Airlines.

Warren Air: (Date of Operation unknown).
West Coast Airlines: (1941-1968). Merged with Bonanza Air Lines and Pacific Air Lines to form Air West.
Western Airlines: (1926-1987). Acquired by Delta Air Lines.
Wheeler Airlines: (Date of Operation unknown).
Wien Air Alaska: (1927-1984). Alaska's oldest airline; ceased operations due to financial difficulties.
Wings of Alaska: (Date of Operation unknown).
World Airways: (1948-2014). Charter airline; ceased operations.

No defunct U.S. airlines are known to have names beginning with "X."

Yankee Airlines: (Date of Operation unknown).

Zantop International Airlines: (Date of Operation unknown).
Zia Airlines: (Date of Operation unknown).

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List of defunct airlines of the United States (Q–Z)