When Great Lakes Airlines abruptly pulled up stakes at the Page Municipal Airport (PGA) in March of 2018, it left both residents and visitors even more limited in their options for travel between Phoenix-Sky Harbor Airport (PHX), and seasonally Denver International Airport (DEN), and the remote Northern Arizona town. In August 2018, a new airline not only stepped up to the plate, they stepped up the game, in more ways than one!
Effective Wednesday, August 15th, 2018, Contour Airlines resumed Essential Air Service between Phoenix/Sky Harbor and Page, and recently announced plans to resume flights to and from Las Vegas in early November. The Smyrna, Tennessee-based carrier’s beginnings date back to 1982. Since then, they have grown into one of the largest largest regional air carriers and Alternate Essential Air Service providers in the United States. Though the bulk of their operations are focused on Southern cities such as Macon, Georgia, Tupelo, Mississippi and Nashville, Tennessee, they are making inroads into the Western U.S., beginning with scheduled air service between Crescent City and Oakland, CA, and now Page, AZ, Show Low, AZ, Moab, UT, Vernal, UT, Taos, NM, and Phoenix, AZ.
Contour Airlines’ arrival promises to elevate passengers’ quality of experience noticeably. Instead of crowding aboard cramped 19-passenger turbo-prop airplanes of years past, Contour Airlines will run PHX-PGA and DEN-PGA service in newer Embraer Regional Jet 135’s.* Originally designed to hold 37 passengers, these planes have been modified for maximum passenger comfort by having 7 of those seats removed. That means passengers will have equal legroom to those in the first-class section of much larger jets for a 45-minute flight. What’s more, Contour Airlines ERJ135’s are air conditioned, a convenience that’s bound to be appreciated during the Southwest’s notoriously hot summers. Another plus? You can check your bags free of charge, and — drum roll, please — there’s a bathroom on board!
*9-passenger British Aerospace Jetstream 31/32 turbo-prop aircraft may be substituted at company’s discretion based on passenger demand and other factors.
“Like” Contour Airlines on Facebook for frequent announcements of “Super Saver” fares on all their routes, and visit www.ContourAirlines.com to book your seats.
