Contour Airlines

What Contour Airlines does

Contour Airlines is the regional airline brand of Corporate Flight Management, Inc., a privately held company founded in 1982 and headquartered in Smyrna, Tennessee. Operating a fleet of 30-seat Embraer ERJ-135 and ERJ-145 regional jets configured in a three-abreast all-leather layout with expanded legroom, the airline runs scheduled commercial service across 36+ destinations in the United States and Caribbean. Its route network is anchored by multi-year Essential Air Service contracts awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation to serve underserved regional communities, supplemented by seasonal leisure routes to beach and outdoor recreation destinations and year-round business/military routes.

The company's revenue is generated across three primary streams: scheduled passenger ticket sales (structured into Super Saver, Standard, and Flexible fare tiers and distributed through contourairlines.com, a 24/7 call center, travel agencies, and interline channels), Part 135 charter services for groups, sports teams, schools, and corporate events (in which segment Contour is among the 10 largest U.S. operators and the largest in the Southeast), and contracted EAS revenue from DOT-selected communities. Contour holds interline agreements with Alaska, American, JetBlue, and United Airlines, plus Winair for Caribbean connectivity, enabling single-ticket itineraries and through-checked baggage across carriers. The parent company also operates aircraft sales and management, aircraft maintenance, and FBO services under the Contour Aviation brand.

Contour's go-to-market is a hybrid of enterprise/B2B (DOT contract capture, charter sales, and the Spirit Airlines operating partnership) and direct-to-consumer (website, email, social, and call center) channels. The customer base spans underserved-community leisure travelers, business and government/military travelers, charter group customers, and interline-originating passengers. Ancillary services, including hotel and car-rental booking via Rezserver and a paid checked-bag program effective May 1, 2026, provide incremental monetization. The company maintains a Platinum safety rating from ARG/US and is led by founder-CEO Matt Chaifetz and President Ben Munson.

Name

Contour Airlines

Legal name

Corporate Flight Management, Inc.

Website

https://contourairlines.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Contour Airlines is a privately held US regional airline operating 30-seat Embraer ERJ jets across 36+ underserved US and Caribbean destinations. The company provides DOT Essential Air Service, charter flights, and interline-connected scheduled service through partnerships with major US carriers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Passenger Airlines

NAICS

Scheduled Passenger Air Transportation (481111), Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211), Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812)

SIC

Air Transportation, Scheduled (4512), Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522), Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

On-Demand Scheduled Commuter (Part 135/Small Aircraft Scheduled) (THABACAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interline Agreements (Baggage & Through-Check) (THABAHAF), Island & Remote Region Regional Airlines (THABACAL)

Keywords

• Regional airline services
• Scheduled passenger flights
• Private charter flights
• Essential air service
• Interline airline partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Smyrna

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Scheduled Passenger Service: Contour operates scheduled commercial air service across 36+ domestic and Caribbean destinations using 30-seat regional jets. Revenue is generated through ticket sales via direct website, call center, and travel agencies, with pricing structured across Super Saver, Standard, and Flexible fare tiers.
2. Charter Services: The company operates Part 135 charter services using 30-seat ERJ-135/145 aircraft positioned throughout the country. Charter services target school groups, sports teams, tours, and events, offering custom travel solutions. Contour is among the 10 largest Part 135 charter operators in the United States and the largest in the Southeast.
3. Essential Air Service (EAS) Contracts: Contour is selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation under the Essential Air Service program to provide service at regional airports including Merced Yosemite Regional Airport for a four-year term. This government contracted service provides stable revenue for serving underserved communities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Contour Airlines is a regional carrier that operates scheduled commercial passenger service and Part 135 charter flights using a fleet of 30-seat Embraer ERJ-135 and ERJ-145 regional jets. The airline serves 36+ underserved destinations across the United States and Caribbean, providing premium amenities (leather seating, extra legroom, complimentary snacks/beverages, free first checked bag) at low fares, with seamless connectivity to global networks through interline partnerships with Alaska, American, JetBlue, and United Airlines.

Product overview

Contour Airlines is a regional airline operating scheduled commercial service and private charter flights across the United States and Caribbean. The company operates a fleet of 30-seat Embraer ERJ-135 and ERJ-145 regional jets featuring all-leather seating with expanded legroom, complimentary snacks and beverages, and complimentary first checked bag. Its core offerings include scheduled passenger service (the primary revenue product), charter services (for groups and events), and an interline partner network (enabling single-itinerary bookings with Alaska, American, JetBlue, and United Airlines to access destinations worldwide). Supporting infrastructure includes an online booking platform with integrated hotel/car rental booking, flight status and notification systems, and 24/7 customer support. The airline serves underserved regional communities under the Essential Air Service program and has expanded into Caribbean markets since 2025.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Contour Airlines Scheduled Passenger Service Scheduled commercial airline service operating daily flights across underserved regional markets throughout the United States and Caribbean using 30-seat Embraer ERJ-135 and ERJ-145 regional jets. Includes all-leather seating with expanded legroom, complimentary snacks and beverages, complimentary first checked bag on Flexible fares, and zero change fees on most fare classes. Tickets are sold via direct website, 24/7 call center, travel agencies, and interline partners.
• Contour Airlines Charter Service Part 135 private charter flight service using 30-seat configured ERJ-135 and ERJ-145 aircraft positioned throughout the country. Targets school groups, sports teams, tours, and corporate events with custom travel solutions, leather seating with ample legroom, and full flight attendant service. Contour is among the 10 largest Part 135 charter operators in the United States and the largest in the Southeast.

Quantifiable outcome

• 36+ destinations served across the United States and Caribbean with interline connectivity to hundreds of worldwide destinations
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• JetBluecoreTechnology or Integration · 3 February 2026Interline agreement effective February 3, 2026, allowing customers to book single itineraries with coordinated ticketing and through-checked baggage across both carriers. Contour customers gain access to JetBlue's network of more than 100 destinations. Agreement complements existing partnerships with Alaska, American, and United Airlines. Combined tickets available through Contour's booking channels and major travel agency platforms.
• Spirit AirlinesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 16 October 2025Strategic partnership announced July 2025 for Spirit Airlines to offer new flights from Middle Georgia Regional Airport to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in partnership with Contour. Represents Spirit's first-ever direct air service between Macon and Fort Lauderdale, with Spirit operating flights using Contour's infrastructure.
• Alaska AirlinescoreTechnology or Integration · 3 February 2024Interline partnership providing seamless connections between Contour's regional routes and Alaska Airlines' network. Enables coordinated ticketing and through-checked baggage for combined itineraries.
• American AirlinescoreTechnology or IntegrationInterline partnership enabling customers to book combined itineraries with connections to American Airlines' global network. Coordinated ticketing and baggage handling available through Contour's booking channels.
• United AirlinescoreTechnology or IntegrationInterline partnership providing access to United Airlines' hub at Dulles International Airport and connections to over 100 destinations worldwide. Passengers can connect to United's domestic and global network through Contour's regional routes.
• MyIDTravelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEmployee travel privilege program allowing Contour employees and their eligible family members to enjoy space-available flights on Contour and MyIDTravel partner airlines.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• JSX: U.S. semi-private carrier operating ERJ-135/145 aircraft in 30-seat configuration with premium service. Closely comparable in aircraft type, cabin configuration, and premium small-jet positioning.

Direct peers

• Breeze Airways: Startup U.S. carrier focused on underserved mid-size markets with Embraer and A220 aircraft. Direct competitor in connecting smaller communities to major hubs with a premium-leisure positioning.
• CommutAir: U.S. regional carrier operating Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft exclusively for United Airlines under the United Express brand. Comparable fleet type and partner-airline interline model.
• Boutique Air: Small U.S. regional airline operating scheduled and charter service to underserved communities with Pilatus PC-12 and Phenom 100 aircraft. Comparable EAS contract model and small-community focus.
• Cape Air: U.S. regional carrier serving small communities and islands across the Northeast, Midwest, and Caribbean with Cessna 402 and ATR aircraft. Comparable mission of connecting underserved small markets and Caribbean routes.
• Republic Airways: U.S. regional carrier operating Embraer 170/175 aircraft under American, Delta, and United codeshares. Closest direct peer in regional jet operations and major-airline partnership model.
• Silver Airways: Small U.S. regional carrier operating turboprop and regional jet service to underserved Florida, Bahamas, and Southeast U.S. communities. Closely comparable in fleet size, EAS-like mission, and premium small-aircraft positioning.
• Winair: Caribbean regional carrier based in St. Maarten operating inter-island scheduled service. Direct interline partner of Contour and comparable in small-aircraft regional model.
• Avelo Airlines: U.S. ultra-low-cost carrier operating 737s from smaller airports targeting underserved leisure markets. Direct competitor for small-community traffic and DOT EAS-adjacent routes.

Broad incumbents

• SkyWest Airlines: Largest U.S. regional airline operating CRJ and ERJ fleets under codeshare for American, Delta, and United. Comparable to Contour in fleet type and partner airline model, but vastly larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ContourAirlines
• Facebookfacebook.com/contourairlines
• Instagraminstagram.com/iflycontour
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/corporate-flight-management

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Contour Airlines