Who?! Contour Airlines to Begin Service from Milwaukee (MKE) with Two Destinations

There’s been a recent surge in airplanes headed toward Milwaukee Mitchell Airport. Sun Country Airlines and Spirit Airlines launched service to the area in June with Sun Country Airlines reporting 315 passengers last month and Spirit Airlines saying they carried over 6,977 travelers.
Now Tennessee-based regional carrier, Contour Airlines announced new nonstop flights from Milwaukee to Indianapolis International Airport and Pittsburgh International Airport beginning Oct. 12.

Direct flights to Indianapolis will operate daily. Flights will depart Milwaukee at 4:05 p.m. and arrive in Indianapolis at 6:05 p.m. and depart Indianapolis at 8:55 a.m. and arrive in Milwaukee at 9:00 a.m. every day except Saturday. Saturday’s flight will depart Milwaukee at 12:45 p.m. and arrive in Indianapolis at 2:45 p.m. and depart Indianapolis at 11:45 a.m. and arrive in Milwaukee at 11:50 a.m.

Direct flights to Pittsburgh will run daily except Saturdays, departing Milwaukee at 9:35 a.m. and arriving in Pittsburgh at 12:00 p.m. and departing Pittsburgh at 3:00 p.m. and arriving in Milwaukee at 3:30 p.m. Travelers can purchase tickets only on Contour Airlines’ website, as they do not partner with any of the larger booking engines, and can find introductory fares starting at $99 each way.

“Low fares, a comfortable in-flight experience and new service to two currently unserved markets…it’s the perfect combination that will make Contour’s new flights wildly successful at MKE,” Milwaukee airport director Brian Dranzik said in a press release. “This is simply a fantastic new airline announcement for Milwaukee and gives all of us more reasons to choose our hometown airport.”

If you haven’t heard of Contour Airlines before, don’t be alarmed, you’re not alone. The airline is owned and operated by Corporate Flight Management Inc., doing business as Contour Aviation. Corporate Flight Management had previously operated flights under a contract with the former OneJet, which flew seven-seat jets from Milwaukee to cities that included Indianapolis and Pittsburgh beginning in 2015 as part of the government-run “Essential Air Service” program. However, in 2019 OneJet suspended all scheduled flights.

Contour Airlines operates 30-seat Embraer ERJ-135 aircraft and offers service to 16 cities including St. Louis, Baltimore, Nashville, and Phoenix. Once onboard, each jet is outfitted with all-leather seating, expanded legroom, and complimentary food and beverage items.

“Indianapolis and Pittsburgh are both strategically important business destinations to the Milwaukee community. As business travel resumes, we know that travelers will appreciate the speed, comfort and convenience of nonstop service,” Contour Airlines’s CEO Matt Chaifetz said in a press release.

American Airlines also recently announced a new nonstop flight to Miami International Airport beginning in November. This continues the airport’s trend of expanding service to leisure destinations including many popular Florida cities.