Contour Airlines
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1982
- HeadquartersSmyrna, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
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.
Contour Airlines firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Contour Airlines industry classification
Industry- 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
Where Contour Airlines is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Smyrna
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Contour Airlines business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Super Saver - Lowest fare with restrictions |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Standard - Mid-tier fare with flexibility |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Flexible - Full refundability |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Contour Airlines product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use Contour Airlines
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Contour Airlines technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature1 record
Contour Airlines partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- JetBluecoreInterline 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 AirlinesminorStrategic 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 AirlinescoreInterline partnership providing seamless connections between Contour's regional routes and Alaska Airlines' network. Enables coordinated ticketing and through-checked baggage for combined itineraries.
- American AirlinescoreInterline 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 AirlinescoreInterline 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.
- MyIDTravelminorEmployee 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
Contour Airlines competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging 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
Contour Airlines social profiles
Digital presenceContour Airlines financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Contour Airlines leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Contour Airlines funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Contour Airlines M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Contour Airlines
What does Contour Airlines do?
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.
Is Contour Airlines a public or private company?
Contour Airlines is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Contour Airlines founded?
Contour Airlines was founded in 1982. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Contour Airlines based?
Contour Airlines is headquartered in Smyrna, United States, in the North America region.
How does Contour Airlines make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Scheduled Passenger Service is the primary driver. The others are charter Services and essential Air Service (EAS) Contracts.
Who are Contour Airlines's main competitors?
JSX is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Breeze Airways, CommutAir, Boutique Air, Cape Air, Republic Airways, Silver Airways, Winair and Avelo Airlines. SkyWest Airlines is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Contour Airlines have an API?
No public API is recorded for Contour Airlines.
What industry is Contour Airlines in?
Contour Airlines's product category is Regional Passenger Airlines. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THABACAN, On-Demand Scheduled Commuter (Part 135/Small Aircraft Scheduled), with a secondary code of THABAHAF, Interline Agreements (Baggage & Through-Check). Its NAICS code is 481111 and its SIC code is 4512.