Contour Airlines
Airline of the United States
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Contour Airlines is an independent regional airline headquartered at Smyrna Airport in Smyrna, Tennessee, United States.[4]
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 Contour Airlines Embraer ERJ-145 | |||||||
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| Founded | March 22, 2016 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commenced operations | April 5, 2016 | ||||||
| AOC # | FJTA920D[1] | ||||||
| Hubs | |||||||
| Fleet size | 39 | ||||||
| Destinations | 32[2] | ||||||
| Parent company |
| ||||||
| Headquarters | Smyrna, Tennessee, United States | ||||||
| Key people | Matt Chaifetz (CEO)[3] | ||||||
| Employees | 800 (approx.) | ||||||
| Website | contourairlines | ||||||
Contour Airlines is set up as a public charter operator for regulatory purposes and does not directly operate aircraft. Contour Airlines charters 30-seat 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]
History
Contour Airlines was established by its parent company Contour Aviation in 2016. Contour began service on April 5, 2016, completing its inaugural flight from Nashville to Tupelo, Mississippi. 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]
In early 2024, regional carrier SkyWest Airlines purchased a 25% ownership stake in Contour Airlines to gain access to its infrastructure, personnel, and operational expertise as it launches its own Part 135 operation, SkyWest Charter. SkyWest also plans to supply Contour with CRJ200 aircraft and partner with the airline to both recruit young pilots and provide opportunities to pilots who would otherwise need to retire due to age.[11][12]
On October 1, 2024, Contour changed multiple routes to new American Airlines hubs. Altoona used to connect to Philadelphia but now connects to Charlotte.[13] Fort Leonard Wood and Cape Girardeau changed from Nashville to Chicago.
In January 2025, Contour appointed Ben Munson as president. He will report to CEO Matt Chaifetz.[14]
Corporate affairs
As of 2024, Contour Airlines employs approximately 800 people across its operations. Matt Chaifetz is the current president and chief executive officer; leading the company since its founding in 2016.[15] Contour currently employs nearly 200 pilots, all reporting to Greg Engel, the Chief Pilot.
Corporate headquarters
Contour Airlines' Corporate Headquarters is located at 808 Blue Angel Way, on the grounds of Smyrna Airport (MQY) in Smyrna, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville. The facility serves as the nerve center for the airline's operations and administrative functions. In addition, it is the home of the Systems Operations Control Center (SOC), the Inflight Services Training Center (IFS), the Reservations Call Center (RES), and various other administrative offices. This centralized location allows for efficient coordination between different departments, supporting Contour Airlines' operations across its network.
Destinations
As of February 2026[update], Contour Airlines operates flights serving the following destinations:[16][17]
Caribbean
| City | Airport | IATA Code | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Dominica | ||||
| Dominica | Douglas–Charles Airport | DOM | Saint Thomas[18]
San Juan[18] |
|
 Puerto Rico | ||||
| San Juan | Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport | SJU | Dominica
St. Maarten |
|
 Sint Maarten | ||||
| Sint Maarten | Princess Juliana International Airport | SXM | San Juan[19] | |
 US Virgin Islands | ||||
| St. Thomas | Cyril E. King Airport | STT | Dominica | |
United States
| City | Airport | IATA Code | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Alabama | ||||
| Muscle Shoals | Northwest Alabama Regional Airport | MSL | Charlotte
Pensacola (Seasonal) |
AEAS community |
 Arizona | ||||
| Page | Page Municipal Airport | PGA | Denver (Seasonal)
Las Vegas (starting July 2, 2026)[20] Phoenix |
AEAS community |
| Phoenix | Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport | PHX | Moab
Page Show Low[21] Vernal |
|
| Show Low | Show Low Regional Airport | SOW | Phoenix | AEAS community |
 California | ||||
| Los Angeles | Los Angeles International Airport | LAX | Merced | Service starts July 1, 2026[22] |
| Merced | Merced Regional Airport | MCE | Las Vegas
Los Angeles |
EAS community Service starts July 1, 2026[22] |
 Colorado | ||||
| Denver | Denver International Airport | DEN | Carlsbad
Moab Page (Seasonal) Taos Vernal |
|
 Florida | ||||
| Pensacola | Pensacola International Airport | PNS | Cape Girardeau[23]
Muscle Shoals |
Seasonal service |
| Fort Lauderdale | Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport | FLL | Macon | (service starts June 9, 2026)[24] |
 Georgia | ||||
| Macon | Middle Georgia Regional Airport | MCN | Baltimore (service starts June 9, 2026)[24]
Fort Lauderdale (service starts June 9, 2026)[24] Washington/Dulles[25] (service terminates June 8, 2026, to be replaced by BWI)[24] |
AEAS community |
 Illinois | ||||
| Chicago | O'Hare International Airport | ORD | Burlington[26]
Cape Girardeau[27] Fort Leonard Wood[27] (service terminates May 31, 2026; TBN will go to BNA)[28] Kirksville Manistee Marion Owensboro Quincy[29] |
|
| Marion | Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois | MWA | Chicago/O'Hare | EAS community |
| Quincy | Quincy Regional Airport | UIN | Chicago/O'Hare | AEAS community[29] |
 Iowa | ||||
| Burlington | Southeast Iowa Regional Airport | BRL | Chicago/O'Hare | AEAS community[26] |
 Kentucky | ||||
| Owensboro | Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport | OWB | Charlotte[30]
Chicago/O'Hare |
EAS community |
 Maryland | ||||
| Baltimore | Baltimore/Washington International Airport | BWI | Macon | Service starts June 9, to replace MCN-IAD[24] |
 Michigan | ||||
| Manistee | Manistee County Blacker Airport | MBL | Chicago/O'Hare | AEAS community |
 Mississippi | ||||
| Tupelo | Tupelo Regional Airport | TUP | Nashville
Dallas/Fort Worth |
AEAS community |
 Missouri | ||||
| Cape Girardeau | Cape Girardeau Regional Airport | CGI | Chicago/O'Hare[27]
Dallas/Fort Worth[31] Pensacola (Seasonal)[23] |
EAS community |
| Fort Leonard Wood | Waynesville-St. Robert Regional Airport | TBN | Chicago/O'Hare[27] (service terminates May 31, 2026, TBN will go to BNA)[28]
Dallas/Fort Worth |
EAS community |
| Kirksville | Kirksville Regional Airport | IRK | Chicago/O'Hare | EAS community |
 Nevada | ||||
| Las Vegas | Harry Reid International Airport | LAS | Merced
Page |
Service starts July 1, 2026[22] |
 New Mexico | ||||
| Albuquerque | Albuquerque International Sunport | ABQ | Carlsbad | |
| Carlsbad | Cavern City Air Terminal | CNM | Albuquerque
Denver[32] |
EAS community |
| Taos | Taos Regional Airport | TSM | Denver | |
 New York | ||||
| Plattsburgh | Plattsburgh International Airport | PBG | Washington/Dulles[25] | AEAS community |
 North Carolina | ||||
| Charlotte | Charlotte Douglas International Airport | CLT | Altoona[33]
Beckley Clarksburg (service ends April 13, 2026) Muscle Shoals Owensboro Parkersburg |
|
 Pennsylvania | ||||
| Altoona | Altoona–Blair County Airport | AOO | Charlotte[33] | AEAS community |
 South Carolina | ||||
| Myrtle Beach | Myrtle Beach International Airport | MYR | Beckley | Seasonal; service starts June 3, 2026[34] |
 Tennessee | ||||
| Nashville | Nashville International Airport | BNA | Fort Leonard Wood (service starts June 1, 2026)[28]
Tupelo |
|
 Texas | ||||
| Dallas/Fort Worth | Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport | DFW | Cape Girardeau[31]
Fort Leonard Wood Tupelo |
|
 Utah | ||||
| Moab | Canyonlands Regional Airport | CNY | Denver
Phoenix |
AEAS community |
| Vernal | Vernal Regional Airport | VEL | Denver
Phoenix |
AEAS community |
 Virginia | ||||
| Washington D.C. | Dulles International Airport | IAD | Macon (service terminates June 8, 2026, MCN to go to BWI)[24]
Plattsburgh |
[25] |
 West Virginia | ||||
| Beckley | Raleigh County Airport | BKW | Charlotte
Myrtle Beach (seasonal; starting June 3, 2026)[34] |
AEAS community |
| Clarksburg | North Central West Virginia Airport | CKB | Charlotte | EAS community Service ends April 13, 2026 |
| Parkersburg | Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport | PKB | Beckley | |
Discontinued destinations
| City | Airport | IATA Code | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | ||||
| Crescent City | Del Norte County Airport | CEC | Oakland | Replaced by Advanced Air on March 17, 2024.[35] |
| Oakland | Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport | OAK | Crescent City
Santa Barbara |
Replaced by Advanced Air on March 17, 2024.[35] |
| Palm Springs | Palm Springs International Airport | PSP | Sacramento (Seasonal) | Ended due to COVID-19 pandemic |
| Sacramento | Sacramento International Airport | SMF | Palm Springs (Seasonal)
Santa Barbara |
Ended due to COVID-19 pandemic |
| San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport | SBP | Las Vegas | Ended due to COVID-19 pandemic |
| Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara Municipal Airport | SBA | Las Vegas
Oakland Sacramento |
Ended due to COVID-19 pandemic[36] |
| Florida | ||||
| Destin | Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport | VPS | Bowling Green | Ended due to low demand |
| Tampa | Tampa International Airport | TPA | Charlotte
Macon |
Ended due to low demand[37] |
| Georgia | ||||
| Atlanta | Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport | ATL | Bowling Green | Ended due to low demand[38] |
 Indiana | ||||
| Indianapolis | Indianapolis International Airport | IND | Milwaukee
Nashville Pittsburgh |
Ended due to COVID-19 pandemic[39] |
| Kentucky | ||||
| Bowling Green | Bowling Green–Warren County Regional Airport | BWG | Atlanta
Destin-Fort Walton |
Ended due to low demand[38] |
| Paducah | Barkley Regional Airport | PAH | Charlotte | Ended February 23, 2026, replaced by SkyWest Airlines[40] |
| Maryland | ||||
| Baltimore | Baltimore/Washington International Airport | BWI | Macon | Ended April 30, 2025, replaced by Washington/Dulles.[25] |
| Mississippi | ||||
| Greenville | Greenville Mid-Delta Airport | GLH | Dallas/Fort Worth
Nashville |
Ended September 30, 2025, replaced by Denver Air Connection[41] |
| Missouri | ||||
| St. Louis | St. Louis Lambert International Airport | STL | Fort Leonard Wood | |
| Nevada | ||||
| Las Vegas | Harry Reid International Airport | LAS | Page
San Luis Obispo Santa Barbara |
Ended due to COVID-19 pandemic |
| New York | ||||
| Ogdensburg | Ogdensburg International Airport | OGS | Philadelphia | Replaced by Breeze Airways on October 1, 2024.[42] |
| Pennsylvania | ||||
| Philadelphia | Philadelphia International Airport | PHL | Altoona
Ogdensburg Plattsburgh |
Ended April 30, 2025. Replaced by Washington/Dulles.[25] |
| Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh International Airport | PIT | Indianapolis
Milwaukee |
Ended due to low demand |
| Virginia | ||||
| Shenandoah | Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport | SHD | Charlotte | Ended February 1, 2026, replaced by SkyWest Airlines[43][44] |
| West Virginia | ||||
| Clarksburg | North Central West Virginia Airport | CKB | Charlotte | Service to end April 13, 2026, to be replaced by SkyWest Airlines[43][44] |
| Lewisburg | Greenbrier Valley Airport | LWB | Charlotte | Ended February 8, 2026, replaced by SkyWest Airlines[43][44] |
 Wisconsin | ||||
| Milwaukee | Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport | MKE | Indianapolis
Pittsburgh |
Ended due to low demand |
Fleet
As of September 2025, Contour uses a variety of regional jets in a 30-seat configuration under the Corporate Flight Management certificate.
| Aircraft | In service | Orders | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bombardier CRJ200 | 10 | — | 30 |
| Embraer ERJ 135 | 10 | — | 30 |
| Embraer ERJ 140 | 8 | — | 30 |
| Embraer ERJ 145 | 3 | — | 30 |
Contour Airlines also formerly operated 7 British Aerospace Jetstream 31[citation needed] and 4 British Aerospace Jetstream 41[citation needed]
Services
Interline agreement
Contour has had an interline agreement with American Airlines since October 2019,[45] 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.[46]
Since April 2024, Contour has had an interline agreement with Alaska Airlines.[45] Passengers who book through Alaska Airlines are eligible to earn miles for Mileage Plan when flying Contour.[47]
Since October 2024, Contour and United Airlines have had an interline agreement.[48][49]
In February 2025, Contour and JetBlue signed a new interline agreement that allow customers to book for single itineraries. This agreement allows Contour to access for more than 100 destinations served by JetBlue in the Americas, while extending JetBlue's reach into smaller and underserved regional markets served by Contour.[50]
In-flight experience
Passengers traveling with Contour receive free seat selection and their first piece of checked baggage without charge on all fare classes.[51] All Contour flights feature leather seating, 36 inches of legroom, and complimentary in-flight snack and beverage service.[52]
