When flying in the U.S., the ticket clearly shows American Airlines, but when you get to the gate, the plane is labeled American Eagle, leaving many people wondering, "Is this a different company?" I remember being confused about this at first too.

First, American Airlines is one of the major airlines in the U.S., so it is a very large airline.

It operates international and long-haul routes. Most flights from Seattle to New York or overseas are operated by this airline. The planes used are also large, ranging from medium-sized aircraft like the Boeing 737 to larger models like the 777 and 787.

Many people think of American Eagle as a separate airline, but in fact, it is not an airline name but a brand name.

The actual companies that operate the flights are separate. For example, airlines like SkyWest Airlines, Envoy Air, and Republic Airways have contracts with American Airlines to operate flights on their behalf.

To put it simply, American Airlines handles the routes, ticket sales, and overall operations, while contracted regional airlines operate the short-haul routes. So, from a passenger's perspective, it looks like they are using the same airline, but the actual operations are divided.

The reason for this division is cost. Short-haul routes do not generate significant revenue. They serve to gather passengers from small towns to major airports, and using a large aircraft can actually lead to losses. Therefore, smaller planes and an efficient structure are necessary. This role is handled by the American Eagle brand.

This is commonly referred to as a "hub and spoke structure." Passengers travel from small towns to hub airports and then connect to long-haul routes. For example, American Eagle operates flights from small towns to Seattle or LA, and then American Airlines takes over for the long-haul routes.

This creates a somewhat unique situation at the airport. The ticket is for American Airlines, but the actual plane you board is American Eagle, and the operation is often handled by another airline. It can be quite confusing at first glance.

Historically, this structure has continued to evolve. Contract airlines change, and the types of aircraft used are becoming more efficient. Recently, there has been a trend to reduce the number of smaller 50-seat aircraft and shift to slightly larger models.

In short, American Airlines is the main airline, and American Eagle is the brand that handles short-haul routes within it. The actual flights are divided among various regional airlines.

■ Major Airline Pilot Salaries (American Airlines)
Starting Salary: About $90K–$120K
Average: About $140K+
Captain: $300K–$450K+

■ Regional Airline Pilot Salaries (American Eagle Group)
Starting Salary: About $55K–$90K
Captain: Around $120K–$180K

It is said that the salaries of pilots affiliated with American Eagle are almost half of those at American Airlines, and the reason is due to the structure. Instead of being employed by a large airline like American Airlines, it operates under a subcontracting model. The focus on operating smaller aircraft, short-haul routes, and lower profitability also plays a role. Ultimately, although they share the "American" name, the revenue and cost structures differ, leading to salary disparities.

Thus, it is most accurate to understand that American Eagle is not a different company but a short-haul operating system within American Airlines.