Great Lakes AirlinesZK

Great Lakes Airlines ceased operations on March 26, 2018. This guide provides historical information about the airline.

Great Lakes Airlines was a United States regional airline headquartered in Cheyenne, Wyoming, that operated scheduled and charter passenger flights from 1981 until suspending all operations in 2018. At its peak, the airline served essential air service routes throughout the western and central United States, connecting small communities to major hubs.

The airline's history spanned nearly four decades, during which it evolved from a small regional carrier to an important operator of Essential Air Service (EAS) routes—critical lifelines for rural communities that would otherwise lack commercial air access. Great Lakes was known as a reliable carrier specializing in these vital regional routes, providing connectivity to remote areas across Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, and other western states.

Cabin Characteristics

Beech 1900 Aircraft (Primary Fleet):

• Seating: 19 passengers (typical configuration)
• Cabin pressure: Limited pressurization on some models; operating altitude typically 10,000-12,000 feet
• Cabin width: Narrow fuselage (5'2" cabin width); single-seat-plus-double-seat configuration
• Noise level: Turboprop engines noticeably louder than jet aircraft
• Durability: Robust construction designed for repeated takeoffs/landings at small airports

Amenities:

• Basic cabin comfort reflecting regional turboprop standards
• Limited or no in-flight food/beverage service on most flights
• No seatback entertainment (typical of regional carriers pre-2010s)
• Windows typical of 1980s-1990s aircraft design

Seasonal Operations

Summer Service:

• Peak operations during ski off-season with mountain tourism
• Reliable visual flight rules (VFR) conditions at high-altitude airports
• Extended daylight hours enabling early morning/late evening flights

Winter Service:

• Reduced frequency at mountain airports (JAC) due to snow and weather
• Icing conditions encountered regularly; aircraft equipped accordingly
• Weather delays frequent during winter months
• Winter fuel surcharges sometimes applied on isolated routes