| Date of Event | Monday, March 16, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Primary Location | South Arkansas Regional Airport (ELD), El Dorado, Union County |
| Key Entities | Contour Airlines; South Arkansas Regional Airport; City of El Dorado; El Dorado chamber of commerce |
| Outcome | Nonstop jet service to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) started; round trips advertised from $132 |
EL DORADO — Contour Airlines started nonstop jet service Monday, March 16, 2026, between South Arkansas Regional Airport (ELD) in El Dorado and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Officials from the airport, the City of El Dorado, the chamber of commerce and the airline marked the first day, KNOE reported.
Contour El Dorado–Dallas-Fort Worth Flight Schedule
Contour flies a 30-seat regional jet. The airline’s published schedule lists three flights each way on some days and two on others.
El Dorado (ELD) to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)
- 7:40 a.m.–8:55 a.m.: Daily
- 12:25 p.m.–1:40 p.m.: Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays
- 4:45 p.m.–6:00 p.m.: Daily
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to El Dorado (ELD)
- 10:40 a.m.–11:55 a.m.: Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays
- 2:55 p.m.–4:10 p.m.: Daily
- 5:30 p.m.–6:45 p.m.: Daily
Fares, Bags and Connecting Flights
- Fares: KNOE reported round trips out of El Dorado start at $132.
- Bags and service: Contour says every fare includes one free checked bag, extra legroom, and complimentary snacks and beverages.
- Connections: Contour lists interline partners Alaska, American, JetBlue and United for travel beyond DFW.
- Booking: Book at contourairlines.com or call (888) 332-6686.
Essential Air Service and Previous Carrier
The U.S. Department of Transportation will help Contour subsidize the route under the Essential Air Service program, KNOE reported. Southern Airways Express previously served El Dorado under the same program.
El Dorado Mayor Paul Choate said in Contour’s announcement:
“Having dependable jet service will provide stability to our ability to reach any destination we desire. This will be an asset to our industrial community as well.”
— Paul Choate, mayor of El Dorado, in a Contour Airlines news release dated Feb. 18, 2026
Earlier coverage: Contour announces daily El Dorado–Dallas nonstop jet schedule and DOT approves Contour jet service for El Dorado. More on the local economy: Southeast Arkansas business news and El Dorado news.
Sources: Contour Airlines news release (Feb. 18, 2026); KNOE (March 16, 2026).
