Exhibit 4.1 SPECIMEN COMMON STOCK CERTIFICATE COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK - ------------------------ --------------- - - NUMBER ACA ATLANTIC COAST AIRLINES HOLDINGS, INC. SHARES - ------------------------ --------------- - - SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS CUSIP 048396 10 5 INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE THIS CERTIFIES that is the owner of FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF ATLANTIC COAST AIRLINES HOLDINGS, INC., transferable on the books of the Corporation in person or by attorney upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed or assigned. This certificate and the shares represented hereby are subject to the laws of the State of Delaware, and to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Corporation, as now or hereafter amended. This certificate is not valid unless countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar. WITNESS the facsimile seal of the Corporation and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers. Dated: /s/ Richard J. Kennedy /s/ Kerry B. Sheen Secretary President [SEAL] Countersigned and Registered: CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY (Jersey City, NJ) Transfer Agent and Registrar Authorized Officer THE CORPORATION WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH STOCKHOLDER WHO SO REQUESTS, A STATEMENT OF THE POWERS, DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES AND RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING, OPTIONAL, OR OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS OF EACH CLASS OF STOCK OR SERIES THEREOF AND THE QUALIFICATIONS, LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS OF SUCH PREFERENCES AND/OR RIGHTS. The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations: TEN COM -- as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT -- .........................Custodian.......................... (Cust) (Minor) TEN ENT -- as tenants by the entireties under Uniform Gifts to Minors JT TEN -- as joint tenants with right Act.......................................... of survivorship and not as (State) tenants in common Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list. For value received, ...........................................................h ereby sell, assign and transfer unto PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE ............................................................ ............................................................ ............................................................ .......... Please print or typewrite name and address including postal zip of assignee ............................................................ ............................................................ ............................................................ Shares of the Common Stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ............................................................ ............................................................ ............................................................ ........... Attorney to transfer the said stock on the books of the within-named Company with full power of substitution in the premises. Dated,...................................................... ..... NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Certificate, in every particular, without alteration or enlargement, or any change whatever. This certificate also represents Rights that entitle the holder hereof to certain rights as set forth in a Rights Agreement between the Corporation and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent, dated as of January 27, 1999, as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms (the "Rights Agreement"), the terms, conditions and limitations of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal offices of the Corporation. Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights Agreement, such Rights will be evidenced by separate certificates and will no longer be evidenced by this certificate. The Corporation will mail to the holder of this certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement, as in effect on the date of mailing, without charge promptly after receipt of a written request therefor. Under certain circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement, Rights issued to, or beneficially owned by, any Person who is, was or becomes an Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate thereof (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement), whether currently held by or on behalf of such Person or by any subsequent holder, may become null and void.