In 1981, Crossair's third year of operation, new flights operate between Zurich and Hannover, Rotterdam and Maastricht. Crossair is allowed to operate flights from Basel-Mulhouse. This was an excellent move for the Basel region since Swissair was just dropping most of the Basel flights at this time. In 1982, Crossair for the first time in history offered scheduled flights from Basel to Brussels, Geneva, Munich, Vienna and Zurich. After Swissair dropped the flights from Basel to Paris and Frankfurt, Crossair took over these flights. It became clear that Crossair’s product, operating with small aircraft and with a good schedule, was a success.

A decisive moment came with the airline’s commitment to modern turboprop aircraft, particularly the Saab 340. Crossair had placed an order for ten of these aircraft in 1980, and the first unit entered service in June 1984, operating routes such as Basel to Paris Charles de Gaulle. This aircraft became the backbone of Crossair’s regional network, allowing the airline to increase frequency, improve reliability, and open thinner routes that would not have been viable with larger jets.

Throughout the mid-1980s, Crossair expanded steadily from its bases at Zürich and Basel. The airline focused on short-haul routes linking Switzerland with key regional cities in France, Germany, Austria, and Italy. By the mid-1980s, the airline had also relocated its headquarters to Zürich Airport in Kloten, reflecting the growing importance of Zürich as a hub in its network.

The late 1980s saw further fleet growth and network densification. Additional Saab 340 aircraft were delivered throughout the decade, enabling Crossair to expand into secondary European destinations and strengthen its presence in established markets.

Entering the 1990s, Crossair transitioned from a purely turboprop regional airline into a more complex hybrid carrier. One of the most significant developments was the introduction of the first jet aircraft. In May 1990, Crossair began operating British Aerospace BAe 146 jets, followed by larger variants in the early 1990s. The addition of jets, enabled Crossair to extend its network beyond purely regional operations and into medium-density European routes.

At the same time, the airline continued expanding its route network across Europe. During the early 1990s, Crossair increased its presence in major markets such as France, Germany, and Italy, while also developing services to other parts of Europe. Its multi-hub strategy—centered on Zürich, Basel, Geneva, Bern, and Lugano—allowed it to build a dense network of short-haul connections, linking smaller cities with major economic centers.

A major milestone came in 1992 when Crossair became a founding member of the Qualiflyer frequent flyer program, alongside Swissair and Austrian Airlines.

The mid-1990s were particularly transformative.  In 1993 Swissair buys more Crossair stocks and now owns 56.1% of Crossair. A new Livery shows its proximity to Swissair is introduced.

Fleet modernisation continued at pace during this period. In addition to the Avro RJ series, Crossair became a launch customer for the Saab 2000 in 1994, a high-speed turboprop that offered jet-like performance with lower operating costs. The airline would go on to operate one of the largest Saab 2000 fleets in the world, using the aircraft to serve both passenger routes and cargo partnerships with companies such as DHL and FedEx.

As well, in 1994 Crossair took over the medium-range business of Balair/CTA. Therefore, several MD82/83 joined the Crossair fleet later during 1995, which were the largest aircraft ever operated by Crossair.

This investment was tied to a major fleet expansion, including the purchase of Avro RJ100 jets, which joined the fleet in October 1995, with additional options secured.

As part of this restructuring, Swissair outsourced much of its regional flying to Crossair and transferred certain operations, including charter services previously operated by Balair. This effectively positioned Crossair as the regional arm of the Swissair Group, responsible for feeding passengers into Swissair’s long-haul network.

Crossair also distinguished itself through innovative marketing and branding initiatives during the 1990s. The airline became known for special aircraft liveries, including collaborations with cultural and commercial partners. One notable example was a livery promoting Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” in Basel, as well as the famous “McPlane,” a partnership with McDonald’s that included onboard branding and themed services.

By the late 1990s, Crossair had grown into a major regional airline with a broad European network. A particularly important strategic move came in 1997–1998 with the creation of Crossair Europe, a subsidiary based on the French side of the EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg. Crossair Europe began operations in 1998 with routes to cities such as Marseille, Milan, and Venice, further expanding the group’s reach within Europe.

This expansion contributed to a significant increase in passenger numbers, with Crossair handling over 4 million passengers by 1998. The airline’s network had grown substantially compared to earlier years, and when combined with Swissair’s operations, the number of destinations served from Basel alone rose dramatically during this period.

By 1998, Crossair had firmly established itself as one of Europe’s leading regional airlines. The airline’s integration into the Swissair Group, combined with its operational efficiency and innovative approach, positioned it as a central pillar of Swiss aviation.