GulfConnect BAe 146

September 1988 marked the creation of GulfConnect, a spin-off which took over the smaller regional routes that weren't suitable for the larger MD-80 and -90s, either because it was too big or the runways at those airports were too short for the Mad Dogs to operate. Initially operated by five mainline DC-9-20s out of Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, from February 1989 they were replaced by brand-new British Aerospace BAe 146s, complete in dedicated GulfConnect livery and in a 12 Business / 75 Economy cabin configuration.

As the DC-9s were being gradually replaced, GulfConnect 146s continued to take over more regional services; in May 1991 GulfConnect took over all domestic services out of Jackson and Birmingham, freeing the mainline fleet based there to start new services to the Caribbean and Canada. When the new bases in El Paso, San Antonio and Memphis was set up in June 1995, additional 146s were added to the GulfConnect fleet, both brand-new and second-hand. The expansion resulted in GulfConnect operating the largest BAe 146 fleet in the US: 92 146s in both the -200 and -300 variants. Embraer 190s began to replace the 146s from 2006, eventually retiring from the fleet in 2008.

British Aerospace BAe 146-200, N43178.

Delivered to GulfConnect, March 19, 1989.
Retired, sold to Hansair Baltic, October 22, 2007.