Eastern Air Express (Texas) (BBQ, Fort Worth Alliance) has commenced operations with its first B737-800, N917XA (msn 32917), with it being chartered out by the Donald Trump and J.D. Vance campaign for the US presidency and vice-presidency on behalf of the Republican Party.
N917XA was added to Eastern Air Express’s fleet on July 18 after a flight from Kansas City International, where it was stored, to Milwaukee General Mitchell. The plane, which has a configuration of 189 economy seats, is painted with a livery promoting the Trump-Vance campaign.
It is currently owned by Eastern Air Express’s parent, Eastern Airlines (2D, Miami International). The narrowbody jet is a 21.92-year-old airframe first delivered to Air Berlin (1991) in 2002. It has also operated Orenair, XTRA Airways, and iAero Airways.
N917XA was one of the twenty-eight B737s that Eastern 737 Asset Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Eastern Air Holdings, purchased from Swift Air LLC as part of its Chapter 11 proceedings.
The ch-aviation fleets module shows that Eastern Air Express’ fleet comprises seven aircraft, including two B737-300s, three B737-700s, one B737-700(QC), and one B737-800.
Eastern Air Express was rebranded from Texan charter carrier Hillwood Airways after being acquired by Eastern Air Holdings in 2023.
