photo by Hollie Webb
Southern Airways announced Wednesday the start of its new flight service between Chattanooga and Memphis.
CEO and Chairman Stan Little said in a press release, "We are very please to be offering the only available scheduled air travel directly connecting Chattanooga with Metropolitan Memphis."
Flight fares start at $198.
However, what makes Southern Airways different from other airlines flying out of Chattanooga is the flight experience.
Chief Operating Officer Keith Sisson said Southern Airways gives passengers a "private flying experience" for the price of a normal flight.
With their aircraft seating nine people or less, passengers do not have to worry about being crowded, he said. The seating is all leather and has space for each passenger typically only seen in first or business class.
Also, because of the small number of people flying per flight, passengers do not have to go through the TSA security lines. Passengers are able to arrive around 20 minutes in advance, compared to hours when flying other airlines.
To complete the experience, Southern Airways pilots are dressed in uniforms modeled after those of 1960's Pan-Am pilots.
When flying to Memphis, pilots wear blue suede shoes.
The flights are out of Wilson Air Center rather than the airport terminal.
photo by Hollie Webb