Airplane — Sailing above the clouds. (Johnny Goerend)

Northwest Alabama Regional Airport (MSL) is a convenient option for those that live in Muscle Shoals and surrounding areas. It offers free parking, and saves you the trip to Nashville, Atlanta or Birmingham to catch your flight. Soon, a new airline is headed to the Shoals and will provide even more airlift. Read on for full details.

Northwest Alabama Regional Airport

Just a stone’s throw from Florence and Muscle Shoals, MSL is a great option for those looking for an easier start to their travels. Being able to skip the drive to Atlanta, Birmingham or Nashville to start your trip is great, but flying straight home on the return is even better.

Currently, the airport offers flights to places including Atlanta and Pensacola. North Alabamians will be pleased to hear that soon, these offerings will expand.

New routes beginning in March

According to WHNT, Contour Airlines will begin new routes on March 1, with flights available to book now.

We took a peek at Contour’s website and found that you can book future trips from MSL to places like Beckley, West Virginia, Parkersburg, West Virginia and Charlotte, North Carolina. Charlotte is especially noteworthy as it is a hub for American Airlines, connecting MSL passengers to a number of International and domestic flights.

Bonus? WHNT shared that Contour has a special agreement with American Airlines to make things easier on MSL passengers. Passengers will be able to book an itinerary through Contour and American Airlines, without having to re-check bags or maintain multiple itineraries.

Contour’s arrival at Northwest Alabama Regional Airport

The airline’s 31-month contract is under the US Department of Transportation’s Alternate Essential Air Service program. The program was established by Congress to allow communities to contract airlines/schedule flights that meet their specific region’s needs.

The government will subsidize a portion of the contract, but MSL must keep up with certain requirements (things like passengers per flight, etc.).

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