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| |||||||
| Founded | 2016 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commenced operations | March 22, 2016 | ||||||
| AOC # | FJTA920D[1] | ||||||
| Hubs | |||||||
| Fleet size | 18 | ||||||
| Destinations | 28[2] | ||||||
| Parent company | Contour Aviation | ||||||
| Headquarters | Smyrna, Tennessee, U.S. | ||||||
| Key people | Matt Chaifetz (CEO)[3] | ||||||
| Website | contourairlines.com | ||||||
Contour Airlines is a regional airline headquartered at Smyrna Airport in Smyrna, Tennessee, United States.[4] All Contour Airlines flights are public charters sold and operated by parent company Contour Aviation as a direct carrier.
Contour Airlines was established by its parent company Contour Aviation in 2016. Contour began service on March 22, 2016, completing its inaugural flight from Nashville to Tupelo, Mississippi. Since then, Contour has expanded to 20 destinations nationwide, focusing on providing key business and leisure markets previously underserved with nonstop short-haul routes.[5]
On April 1, 2019, Contour retired its Jetstream 31/32 fleet and focused solely on ERJ-135/145 aircraft.
On February 5, 2020, Contour Airlines announced that it would add Indianapolis as a focus city and purchase additional ERJ-135/145 aircraft. The goal was to provide efficient service to markets within driving distance but without direct flights to capture travelers who would rather drive than fly with a layover.[6] The airline planned to serve Nashville, Pittsburgh and St. Louis from Indianapolis beginning June 10, 2020,[7] however, the service had been suspended indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8] On July 28, 2021, Contour announced its relaunch in Indianapolis, beginning on October 12 and flying to Milwaukee, Nashville, and Pittsburgh.[9] However, Contour quietly dropped Milwaukee and Pittsburgh less than three months later.[10] According to Contour CEO Matt Chaifetz, the Indianapolis to Milwaukee route averaged 40% full and was climbing, but stalled in the winter due to fears over the omicron variant.[6] He said "the timing was just poor" for the new routes, but said, "We're still committed to Indianapolis."[6]
Contour Airlines announced that it had returned to pre-covid numbers in Tupelo, having more than 12,000 boardings in 2022. This helps increase funds granted by the FAA to Tupelo Airport, up from $150,000 to $1,000,000.[11]
In March 2023, due to complaints following frequent cancellations and delays, representatives from the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority met with Contour Airlines at their headquarters to mark eight months of Contour providing essential air service at Ogdensburg International Airport. The disruptions are cause for a further strain to the Ogdensburg Police Department.[12] It is expected for services to improve following the terminal expansion project at Ogdensburg Airport and Contour's expanding fleet. The airline has been operating in Ogdensburg since July 2022.[13]
On April 20, 2023, the Department of Transportation approved Contour Airlines' bid to replace Cape Air at Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois in Marion, Illinois. Contour will connect the airport to O'Hare International Airport, starting August 1, 2023.[14] The contract is set to last three years.[15]
Due to inflation, Cape Air has opted in late 2022 to cease operations out of Owensboro prior to the end of their contract, which was scheduled to end in 2023. Contour Airlines has been chosen to replace Cape Air, to commence operations to and from Charlotte.[16] However, both Contour Airlines and Owensboro Airport later decided to change the twelve Owensboro flights per week to go to Chicago O'Hare International Airport instead of Charlotte, which the Department of Transportation approved on May 30, 2023.[17] The service will start on August 1, 2023.[18]
Contour Airlines operates flights serving the following destinations:[19][20]
Contour Airlines operates solely Embraer Regional Jets in 30-seat configurations. The airline has previously operated Jetstream 31/32s in their scheduled operations.[25]
| Model | Delivered | In service | Future |
|---|---|---|---|
| Embraer ERJ-135 | 10 | 10 | |
| Embraer ERJ-140 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Embraer ERJ-145 | 5 | 3 |
In November 2019[citation needed], Contour launched an interline agreement with American Airlines allowing passengers to travel via Contour and American under a single itinerary. Bookings can be made through third-party travel agencies, through the American Airlines website, or directly through the Contour Airlines website.[26]
Passengers traveling with Contour receive free seat selection and their first piece of checked baggage without charge on all fare classes.[27] All Contour flights feature leather seating, 36 inches of legroom, and complimentary in-flight snack and beverage service.[5]
