SHD staff has been working with the Department of Transportation for the past several months to select a new airline to provide flights for Valley travelers. Today we are thrilled to officially announce our new partnership with Contour Airlines, offering daily jet flights to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)! Service to the Queen City will start November 1st, but tickets can be booked now at contourairlines.com. Contour is offering a special introductory fare of $49 each way to Charlotte for tickets purchased by October 31!*
Many factors were taken into consideration when we evaluated the bids from airlines interested in serving our market. Here’s why the Airport Commission requested the Department of Transportation award our contract to Contour Airlines:
- Connectivity – We know how important it is to have well-timed connections at the hub to get where you need to go as quickly and efficiently as possible. Charlotte International Airport (CLT) is a major gateway to the world with 700+daily flights to 188 destinations, including 36 international destinations. It’s a great hub to reach almost anywhere with a single connection.
- Major Airline Affiliation – Contour has an interline agreement with American Airlines. That means you can purchase combined tickets on both airlines under a single itinerary, and checked baggage will be seamlessly transferred at the hub all the way to your final destination. As many as 90% of all flights at Charlotte are operated by American so this partnership between Contour and American is a major plus.
- Passenger Experience – Contour is all about the passenger experience. Their beautiful ERJ-135 jet aircraft offer all leather seating, first-class legroom in every row (five to six inches more than any other domestic carrier), complimentary snacks and beverages, and a complimentary checked bag on all flights to Charlotte. They operate their own Customer Support Center where you can call and talk to a real person for flight assistance without a lengthy wait on hold. And to top it all off, Contour is consistently ranked among the most punctual airlines in America by the Official Airline Guide (OAG).
While the aviation industry as a whole faced many challenges over the last two years, thanks to you, passenger traffic at SHD has continued to grow, surpassing even some pre-pandemic levels. We are confident that Contour is the right partner to continue this momentum. We know you put a tremendous amount of trust in us to connect you with the destinations, the people, and the opportunities that are important to you. This is why such careful consideration was given to choosing the partner that could best serve you.
Matt Chaifetz, CEO of Contour Airlines, wants to pass this message along to Valley Travelers, “Contour is excited to bring reliable jet service to Shenandoah Valley Airport, where travelers will appreciate low fares and worldwide connectivity through our relationship with American Airlines. We thank the Valley community and the U.S. Department of Transportation for selecting Contour, and we look forward to being the air carrier of choice in this market for many years to come.”
SkyWest has been an excellent partner over the past four years and they are committed to ensuring a smooth transition as Contour begins operations. SkyWest/United flights will still be operating to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Washington Dulles (IAD) through October 30th. If you have booked tickets through SkyWest/United after this date, you have several options. You can alter your travel arrangements to use another airport with United service or you can cancel the flights and request a full refund of your trip. Any changes can be made by logging into My Trips on United.com or by contacting United customer service at (1-800-UNITED-1).
Thank you so much for your support as we celebrate this new milestone at SHD. We can’t wait to welcome you aboard our Contour flights to Charlotte starting November 1st!
*Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights. Other restrictions apply; visit contourairlines.com for additional details.)