How a public charter operator bypasses traditional commercial flight regulations

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Contour Airlines doesn't actually own or fly its own planes. Instead, it operates as a public charter, using a unique regulatory loophole to employ pilots who might otherwise be forced into retirement due to age or lack of commercial experience.

Headquartered at Smyrna Airport in Tennessee, Contour Airlines functions as a public charter operator rather than a traditional commercial airline. This distinction is vital to its business model: the airline does not directly operate its aircraft. Instead, it charters 30-seat regional jets from its parent company, Contour Aviation, and resells those seats to the public. This arrangement allows the company to utilize a specific pool of pilots qualified for charter services, including those who may be older or less experienced than those permitted on standard commercial passenger flights.

The airline's history is marked by strategic shifts and partnerships. Established in 2016, Contour's inaugural flight ran from Nashville to Tupelo, Mississippi. While it once operated a fleet of British Aerospace Jetstream 31 and 41 aircraft, it retired those in April 2019 to focus exclusively on ERJ-135 and ERJ-145 aircraft. In early 2024, SkyWest Airlines acquired a 25% stake in the company, seeking to leverage Contour's infrastructure and expertise to launch its own charter operation, SkyWest Charter. This partnership also aims to assist in recruiting young pilots and providing opportunities for older pilots.

Connectivity is a core component of Contour's recent growth. The airline has secured interline agreements with major carriers, including American Airlines (since 2019), Alaska Airlines (since April 2024), United Airlines (since October 2024), and JetBlue (since February 2025). These agreements allow passengers to book single itineraries across various networks. Despite setbacks, such as the suspension of Indianapolis routes during the COVID-19 pandemic, the airline continues to expand its reach, employing approximately 800 people and nearly 200 pilots as of 2024.

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