The name was changed to ExpressJet at the beginning of 1995 as the company began acquiring regional jets, replacing its fleet of turboprop aircraft.

In September 2021, ExpressJet resumed operations as both an air charter provider and a regional airline under its own brand aha!—short for "Air-Hotel-Adventure."

The brand's route structure focused on the West Coast of the United States with a hub at Reno-Tahoe International Airport, and scheduled flights began on October 24, 2021.

[2] The airline, including its brand aha!, filed for bankruptcy on August 23, 2022, having ceased all operations the previous day.

[3] In July 2023, the airline announced plans to relaunch as an air charter service using a single leased Boeing 777.

ExpressJet Holdings also owns American Composites LLC, Saltillo Jet Center, and InTech Aerospace Services.

On February 5, 2007, the airline announced service to 24 cities in the west coast, southwest, and midwest regions of the United States beginning in April 2007.

During this period oil prices escalated from $50 per barrel to $140 which made conditions unsustainable for the branded operation.

SkyWest rescinded the offer in early June after ExpressJet Holdings and Continental signed a new 7-year Capacity Purchase Agreement.

In May 2010, ExpressJet began operating Branson Air Express, non-stop air service between Branson, Missouri and Houston, Texas; Austin, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; Des Moines, Iowa; Shreveport, Louisiana and Terre Haute, Indiana; Chicago Midway and Indianapolis.

In late 2010 ExpressJet signed a multiple year contract with United Airlines for 22 ERJ 145 aircraft.

Additionally, 10 more ERJ 145s; in ExpressJet colors, operated for United during the peak Summer travel season in 2010.

As talks with United Airlines of a potential purchase gained momentum in August 2017, Delta Air Lines terminated its contract with ExpressJet.

Through the program, United had committed to hiring a sizable portion of its new-hire pilots directly from ExpressJet.

[26] As part of the operational wind down ExpressJet had closed maintenance bases at Chicago O'Hare and Cleveland Hopkins International airports.

A local grass-roots effort led by United CSA David Knowles and Lead Ramp Serviceman Johnny Dortch at MEM arranged for a surprise water-cannon salute to honor the working crew, along with the several former/current ExpressJet employees on board as passengers and in the terminal looking outwards prior to its takeoff 11 minutes later.

Jetlink 4001 then touched down at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston at 1:24 PM, parking 8 minutes later after a low altitude fly-over and additional water-cannon salute at Gate B87.

[citation needed][27] In July 2021, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) granted final approval for ExpressJet to restart commercial operations.

[28][29] One day later, the company also launched aha!, a leisure travel brand providing scheduled air service between Reno-Tahoe International Airport and cities along the West Coast of the United States.

[30] The carrier focused on cities, markets, and customers which have seen diminished air service as a result of airline industry consolidation and "up-gauging" of routes to larger but less-frequent flights.

[33][34] Although Chapter 11 is typically used as protection while a debtor restructures, ExpressJet ceased all flight operations with plans to liquidate its assets.

[37] As of June 2022[update], prior to the closure of all operations, the ExpressJet fleet consisted of the following aircraft:[1] ExpressJet previously operated Bombardier CRJ200, CRJ700, CRJ900, Embraer ERJ 145, and Embraer 175 aircraft for American Eagle, United Express and Delta Connection.

[5][39][40] ExpressJet was one of three tenants that leased space in the two-building, 107,200-square-foot (9,960 m2) North Belt Office Center complex, which includes buildings III and IV.