Sunwest Airlines A320 (2007-Present Livery)

In 2006 AeroCalifornia acquired the bankrupt Sunwest Airlines from the New Mexico based investment group who failed to turn the failing airline round.

The masterplan was to turn Sunwest into a premium niche carrier appealing to business and leisure travellers flying within the United States. The decision was made to replace the entire fleet with more modern efficient aircraft of a single type to reduce costs, while AeroCalifornia executives favoured the 737 for its commonality with AeroCalifornia's own large fleet of aircraft Sunwest executives were strongly swayed towards the A320 series. Already sister carrier Kalakala Airlines operated a large fleet of A320s and so in April 2006 Sunwest Airlines signed an order for 25 Airbus A320 aircraft with an option for 5 more later converted into orders, these new jets replaced the ageing 737s first and later the 757s the last one of which was retired in 2012.

Part of AeroCalifornia's plan for the carrier introduced a new brand and livery, abandoning the grey and red colours and updated the colour scheme to a more contemporary and brighter scheme with a distinct New Mexican feel, the entire fleet of 37 aircraft consisting of 29 Airbus A320s and 8 CRJ-900s now appear in the new livery and feature mood lighting, charger ports for electronic devices and free Wi-Fi onboard all A320s.

By 2017 things are looking up as the airline in 2011 exited bankruptcy and began to make a profit, Sunwest executives are now considering placing an order for the larger A321 to expand operations to Hawaii and Canada.