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Atlantic Coast Airlines (ACA) began operations in December 1989 as a division of Westair, providing United Express service under the Westair certificate. After being sold to an investor group in 1991, ACA acquired its own certificate and expanded its United Express network from Washington Dulles. The airline also briefly operated United Express flights in Florida. Its fleet included BAe Jetstreams and Brasilias, later replaced by Dash 8s, Jetstream 41s, and CRJ-200s introduced in 1999.
In 1999, ACA created Atlantic Coast Jet to operate Delta Connection flights in the Northeast using Dornier 328JETs. These operations were folded back into ACA on July 1, 2001, consolidating the Delta Connection services. ACA also provided corporate shuttle services with CRJ-200s and Dornier 328JETs. When United Airlines filed for bankruptcy in 2002, ACA employees took significant pay cuts to support United's reorganization plan. Simultaneously, Mesa Air Group attempted a takeover, which ACA employees and management strongly opposed.
By late 2003, ACA decided to transform into a low-cost carrier to avoid dependence on United’s financial future. The airline rebranded as Independence Air and began preparations to launch standalone operations. On June 16, 2004, Independence Air inaugurated low-fare flights from Washington Dulles using CRJ-200s. United Express operations ceased in August, followed by the termination of Delta Connection flights in November. Independence Air focused on building its own national network and placed an order for Airbus A319s to expand into larger markets.
Despite its ambitious plans, Independence Air struggled to attract sufficient traffic without the brand recognition and networks of United and Delta. Financial losses mounted, and the airline filed for bankruptcy on November 7, 2005. Operations ended on January 5, 2006. In March, its operating certificate was sold to Northwest Airlines, which used it to launch Compass Airlines.
