• Source: Contour Airlines

Contour Airlines is an independent regional airline headquartered at Smyrna Airport in Smyrna, Tennessee, United States.
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.




History


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.
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. The airline planned to serve Nashville, Pittsburgh and St. Louis from Indianapolis beginning June 10, 2020, however, the service had been suspended indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 28, 2021, Contour announced its relaunch in Indianapolis, beginning on October 12 and flying to Milwaukee, Nashville, and Pittsburgh. However, Contour quietly dropped Milwaukee and Pittsburgh less than three months later. 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. He said "the timing was just poor" for the new routes but said, "We're still committed to Indianapolis."
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.
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. The contract is set to last three years.

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. 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. The service started on August 1, 2023.
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.
October 1, 2024 marked change for some routes. Contour now flies to Show Low and Manistee from Phoenix and Chicago, respectively. Altoona used to connect to Philadelphia, but now connects to Charlotte. Fort Leonard Wood and Cape Girardeau used to connect to Nashville but Chicago replaced Nashville. Contour no longer flies to Ogdensburg as Breeze Airways has replaced the airline, now flying to Washington Dulles Airport.




Corporate affairs


As of 2024, Contour Airlines employs approximately 800 people across its operations. Matt Chaifetz is the current President & Chief Executive Officer and has been leading the company since its founding in 2016. Kelly Ginn is the senior Executive Vice President responsible for the oversight and support of personnel needs at Contour. She was originally part of Corporate Flight Management before the company restructured into what is now Contour Airlines.
Contour currently employs nearly 200 pilots, all reporting to Greg Engel, the Chief Pilot. The company's flight dispatchers and flight coordinators who work in the Systems Operations Control Center (SOC) are not unionized.
Unlike some larger airlines, Contour Airlines maintains a relatively small and nimble workforce, the total number of employees being just over 800. The majority of its non-pilot staff, including ground crew, reservations agents, flight operations staff, and maintenance personnel, are non-unionized. This structure allows the airline to maintain flexibility in its operations and adapt quickly to changing market conditions.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Contour Airlines, like many other carriers, faced challenges. However, due to its focus on essential air service routes and regional markets, the company was able to navigate the crisis without significant layoffs. As air travel has rebounded, Contour has been actively recruiting to support its growth and expansion into new markets.




= Personnel

=
The airline's leadership team is composed of the following executives:

Matt Chaifetz, President & CEO
Kelly Ginn, Executive Vice President of Finance
Lee Harris, Executive Vice President of Flight Operations
Aaron Armstrong, Executive Vice President of Maintenance
Rick Berry, Senior Vice President of Human Resources
David Woodard, Vice President of Airport Operations
Sybilla Slavin, Vice President of Charter Operations
Matt Ostermann, Vice President of FBO Operations
Collette Hilliary, Vice President of Inflight Services
John Masters, Vice President of Maintenance Operations
VACANT – Vice President of Safety & Compliance
VACANT – Vice President of Government Services




= 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 October 2024, Contour Airlines operates flights serving the following destinations:




= Discontinued destinations

=




Fleet



Contour uses a variety of regional jets in a 30-seat configuration under the Corporate Flight Management certificate.




Services






= Interline agreement

=
Contour has an interline agreement with American Airlines since October 2019, 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.
Since April 2024, Contour has an interline agreement with Alaska Airlines. Passengers that book through Alaska Airlines are eligible to earn miles for Mileage Plan when flying Contour.
Contour and United Airlines have a new interline agreement. The partnership is expected to be in place starting October 2024.




= In-flight experience

=
Passengers traveling with Contour receive free seat selection and their first piece of checked baggage without charge on all fare classes. All Contour flights feature leather seating, 36 inches of legroom, and complimentary in-flight snack and beverage service.




References






External links


Official website

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