Legacy carrier
Referring to the airline industry, a "Legacy Carrier" is an airline revolving around a hub & spoke network and a corporate structure. In the U.S. market, the term specifically refers to those airlines that flew interstate routes prior to the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978. (Although Southwest Airlines began service in 1971, it did not serve destinations outside its home state of Texas until after deregulation.)
Legacy Carriers mainly include:
- First Class/Business Class
- Lounges
- Frequent Flyer Programs
- Alliances
- Frills/Perks throughout the cabin (food, beverage, better service)
While mainly used in the United States (See "The Big Six" Below), other examples of legacy "mainline airline" carriers from around the world include Air France, Air Canada, Avianca, British Airways, Lufthansa, LAN Airlines and Aeromexico.
The "Big Six"
- American Airlines
- Continental Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Northwest Airlines
- United Airlines
- US Airways
Other American Legacies not included in the "Big Six"