| |||||||
Founded | 2016 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Commenced operations | March 22, 2016 | ||||||
AOC # | FJTA920D[1] | ||||||
Hubs | |||||||
Secondary hubs | |||||||
Fleet size | 19 | ||||||
Destinations | 28[2] | ||||||
Parent company | Contour Aviation | ||||||
Headquarters | Smyrna, Tennessee, United States | ||||||
Key people | Matt Chaifetz (CEO)[3] | ||||||
Website | contourairlines |
Contour Airlines is an independent regional airline headquartered at Smyrna Airport in Smyrna, Tennessee, United States.[4]
Contour Airlines is set up as public charter operator for regulatory purposes and does not directly operate aircraft. Contour Airlines charters 30-seat Embraer regional jets operated by its parent company, Contour Aviation, then resells seats on those aircraft to the public. The arrangement allows Contour to utilize pilots who are qualified to operate charter services, who can be either less experienced or older than allowed on commercial passenger flights.[5]
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.[6]
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.[7] The airline planned to serve Nashville, Pittsburgh and St. Louis from Indianapolis beginning June 10, 2020,[8] however, the service had been suspended indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9] On July 28, 2021, Contour announced its relaunch in Indianapolis, beginning on October 12 and flying to Milwaukee, Nashville, and Pittsburgh.[10] However, Contour quietly dropped Milwaukee and Pittsburgh less than three months later.[11] 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.[7] He said "the timing was just poor" for the new routes but said, "We're still committed to Indianapolis."[7]
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.[12]
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.[13] The contract is set to last three years.[14]
Due to inflation, Cape Air opted in late 2022 to cease operations out of Owensboro before the end of their contract, which was scheduled to end in 2023. Contour Airlines was chosen to replace Cape Air and commence operations to and from Charlotte.[15] 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.[16] The service started on August 1, 2023.[17]
As of January 2024[update], Contour Airlines operates flights serving the following destinations:[18][19]
City | Airport | IATA Code | Destinations | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | ||||
Muscle Shoals | Northwest Alabama Regional Airport | MSL | Charlotte | AEAS community |
Arizona | ||||
Page | Page Municipal Airport | PGA | Phoenix | AEAS community |
Phoenix | Sky Harbor International Airport | PHX | Page
Moab Vernal |
|
California | ||||
Crescent City | Del Norte County Airport | CEC | Oakland | To be replaced by Advanced Air starting March 17, 2024.[20] |
Oakland | Oakland International Airport | OAK | Crescent City | To be replaced by Advanced Air starting March 17, 2024.[20] |
Georgia | ||||
Macon | Middle Georgia Regional Airport | MCN | Baltimore | AEAS community |
Illinois | ||||
Chicago | Chicago O'Hare International Airport | ORD | Kirksville
Marion Owensboro |
|
Marion | Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois | MWA | Chicago/O'Hare | EAS community |
Kentucky | ||||
Paducah | Barkley Regional Airport | PAH | Charlotte | EAS community |
Owensboro | Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport | OWB | Chicago/O'Hare | EAS community |
Maryland | ||||
Baltimore | Baltimore-Washington International Airport | BWI | Macon | |
Mississippi | ||||
Greenville | Greenville Mid-Delta Airport | GLH | Dallas/Fort Worth | AEAS community |
Tupelo | Tupelo Regional Airport | TUP | Nashville | AEAS community |
Missouri | ||||
Cape Girardeau | Cape Girardeau Regional Airport | CGI | Nashville | EAS community |
Fort Leonard Wood | Waynesville-St. Robert Regional Airport | TBN | Nashville
Dallas |
EAS community |
Kirksville | Kirksville Regional Airport | IRK | Chicago/O'Hare | EAS community |
New York | ||||
Ogdensburg | Ogdensburg International Airport | OGS | Philadelphia | AEAS community |
Plattsburgh | Plattsburgh International Airport | PBG | Philadelphia | AEAS community |
North Carolina | ||||
Charlotte | Charlotte Douglas International Airport | CLT | Beckley
Clarksburg Muscle Shoals Lewisburg Paducah Parkersburg Shenandoah |
|
Pennsylvania | ||||
Altoona | Altoona–Blair County Airport | AOO | Philadelphia[21] | AEAS community |
Philadelphia | Philadelphia International Airport | PHL | Altoona
Ogdensburg Plattsburgh |
|
Tennessee | ||||
Nashville | Nashville International Airport | BNA | Fort Leonard Wood
Cape Girardeau Tupelo |
|
Texas | ||||
Dallas/Fort Worth | Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport | DFW | Greenville (MS)
Fort Leonard Wood |
|
Utah | ||||
Moab | Canyonlands Regional Airport | CNY | Phoenix | AEAS community Service starting February 1, 2024, to replace SkyWest.[22] |
Vernal | Vernal Regional Airport | VEL | Phoenix | AEAS community Service starting February 1, 2024, to replace SkyWest[23] |
Virginia | ||||
Shenandoah | Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport | SHD | Charlotte | EAS community |
West Virginia | ||||
Beckley | Raleigh County Airport | BKW | Charlotte
Parkersburg |
AEAS community |
Clarksburg | North Central West Virginia Airport | CKB | Charlotte | EAS community |
Lewisburg | Greenbrier Valley Airport | LWB | Charlotte | EAS community |
Parkersburg | Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport | PKB | Beckley
Charlotte |
AEAS community |
As of January 2024[update] Contour uses regional jets from the Embraer ERJ family, in a 30-seat configuration.[27]
Aircraft | In Service | Passengers | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Embraer ERJ 135 | 10 | 30 | Owned and operated by Contour Aviation |
Embraer ERJ 140 | 7 | ||
Embraer ERJ 145 | 2 | ||
Fleet total | 19 |
Contour has 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.[28]
Passengers traveling with Contour receive free seat selection and their first piece of checked baggage without charge on all fare classes.[29] All Contour flights feature leather seating, 36 inches of legroom, and complimentary in-flight snack and beverage service.[6]