Endeavor Air (ICAO: EDV) is a regional airline operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines. It plays a crucial role in Delta's regional network, connecting smaller markets to major Delta hubs across North America.
Endeavor Air was founded in February 1985 as Express Airlines I by Michael J. Brady, initially operating as Republic Express for Republic Airlines. Following Northwest Airlines' acquisition of Republic, Express Airlines I became a Northwest Airlink carrier. The airline was later renamed Pinnacle Airlines in 2002. After facing financial challenges, Pinnacle Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2012. It emerged from bankruptcy as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines and was officially rebranded as Endeavor Air on August 1, 2013.
The airline's corporate headquarters are located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Endeavor Air operates with key hub operations in Atlanta (ATL), Cincinnati (CVG), Detroit (DTW), Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP), and New York City (JFK & LaGuardia - LGA), as well as Raleigh-Durham (RDU). It also maintains 11 maintenance bases across its network.
Endeavor Air operates an all-jet fleet primarily consisting of Bombardier CRJ-700 and CRJ-900 aircraft. As of February 2025, the fleet includes 19 CRJ700s and 122 CRJ900s. The CRJ-200 fleet was retired on April 30, 2023. Flying as Delta Connection, Endeavor Air operates approximately 750 daily flights to 122 destinations across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, focusing on short-haul regional routes. As a Delta subsidiary, Endeavor Air is part of the SkyTeam airline alliance. The airline offers Economy (including Economy Plus with extra legroom) and First Class cabin configurations. First Class provides larger seats, more personalized service, priority boarding and check-in, and complimentary food and beverages. Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and snacks are served on board all flights.
Traveler reviews for Endeavor Air, operating as Delta Connection, highlight several positive aspects while also pointing out common areas for improvement.
What Travelers Love:
Common Complaints:
Overall, the sentiment towards Endeavor Air suggests a dependable regional carrier that successfully connects passengers, often with a pleasant crew. However, the inherent constraints of regional jets, particularly regarding cabin space and entertainment options in economy, are common points of dissatisfaction for travelers.
Endeavor Air's safety record has seen recent scrutiny due to several incidents over the past two years, despite the airline's stated commitment to safety and operational reliability.
Recent Safety Record and Notable Incidents:
Earlier incidents under its former names include Northwest Airlink Flight 5719 (1993, Express Airlines II) and Pinnacle Airlines Flight 3701 (2004).
Regulatory Certifications:
As a U.S. airline and a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, Endeavor Air operates under the stringent oversight of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA has launched a formal investigation into the February 2025 LaGuardia wing strike incident. Specific mention of IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certification or inclusion on the EU safety list was not found in the search results, but adherence to FAA standards is fundamental for its operations.
Fleet Age and Maintenance Reputation:
Endeavor Air operates a relatively modern fleet of Bombardier CRJ-700 and CRJ-900 aircraft. While the average fleet age from older data was around 6.9 years, the focus is on these newer regional jets. The airline has 11 maintenance bases across its network. Endeavor Air has been recognized for its maintenance efforts, receiving the MHIRJ Reliability Performance Award for the CRJ700/900/1000 in North America for three consecutive years.
Overall Safety Assessment:
While Endeavor Air emphasizes safety as its top principle and has received awards for fleet reliability, the recent cluster of incidents in 2023-2025, particularly the Toronto crash and the LaGuardia tarmac collision, raise concerns and are under investigation by regulatory bodies. Despite a generally positive safety image in some older reviews, these recent events highlight the importance of ongoing scrutiny into operational safety practices.
Safety Awards or Recognitions:
Endeavor Air has received the MHIRJ Reliability Performance Award for the CRJ700/900/1000 in North America for three consecutive years, recognizing its commitment to maintaining reliable aircraft. The company also has an internal "Endeavor's Elite" program, which celebrates employees who demonstrate outstanding performance and make significant contributions to safety.
| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EVV → ATL |
Hartsfield-Jackson Intl
Atlanta
|
301 | 351 mi | CRJ9 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| MGM → ATL |
Hartsfield-Jackson Intl
Atlanta
|
297 | 147 mi | CRJ7 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| BGR → LGA |
LaGuardia
New York
|
276 | 378 mi | CRJ9 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| AGS → ATL |
Hartsfield-Jackson Intl
Atlanta
|
273 | 143 mi | CRJ9 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| ABE → ATL |
Hartsfield-Jackson Intl
Atlanta
|
271 | 693 mi | CRJ9 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| RST → MSP |
Minneapolis/St Paul Intl
Minneapolis
|
257 | 76 mi | CRJ9 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| RAP → MSP |
Minneapolis/St Paul Intl
Minneapolis
|
253 | 489 mi | CRJ9 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| TRI → ATL |
Hartsfield-Jackson Intl
Atlanta
|
252 | 227 mi | CRJ7 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| LFT → ATL |
Hartsfield-Jackson Intl
Atlanta
|
228 | 503 mi | CRJ9 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| FAY → ATL |
Hartsfield-Jackson Intl
Atlanta
|
196 | 372 mi | CRJ7 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| MLI → ATL |
Hartsfield-Jackson Intl
Atlanta
|
143 | 635 mi | CRJ7 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| ROC → JFK |
John F Kennedy Intl
New York
|
140 | 264 mi | CRJ9 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| MOB → ATL |
Hartsfield-Jackson Intl
Atlanta
|
138 | 302 mi | CRJ9 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| CHA → ATL |
Hartsfield-Jackson Intl
Atlanta
|
138 | 106 mi | CRJ7 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| ILM → LGA |
LaGuardia
New York
|
136 | 501 mi | CRJ9 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| BTV → LGA |
LaGuardia
New York
|
135 | 258 mi | CRJ9 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| ROA → ATL |
Hartsfield-Jackson Intl
Atlanta
|
129 | 358 mi | CRJ7 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| BTV → JFK |
John F Kennedy Intl
New York
|
123 | 267 mi | CRJ9 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| GRB → DTW |
Detroit Metro Wayne Co
Detroit
|
120 | 287 mi | CRJ9 | Nov 28, 2025 |
| DSM → MSP |
Minneapolis/St Paul Intl
Minneapolis
|
116 | 233 mi | CRJ9 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| BTV → DTW |
Detroit Metro Wayne Co
Detroit
|
115 | 536 mi | CRJ9 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| CVG → DTW |
Detroit Metro Wayne Co
Detroit
|
113 | 229 mi | CRJ9 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| GRB → MSP |
Minneapolis/St Paul Intl
Minneapolis
|
112 | 252 mi | CRJ9 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| GSP → LGA |
LaGuardia
New York
|
111 | 610 mi | CRJ9 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| CLT → JFK |
John F Kennedy Intl
New York
|
102 | 542 mi | CRJ9 | Dec 11, 2025 |
Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.