Frontier Airlines is an ultra-low-cost major airline headquartered in Denver, Colorado.
It flies to nearly every corner of the United States with international destinations including Costa Rica, Mexico, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic.
Their unique selling proposition is that they are “Americas Greenist Airlines” meaning that save much on fuel efficiency they are able to charge lower fares.
In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about Frontier Airlines before you book a flight.
A Brief Background on Frontier Airlines
The Original Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines was born from the executives of the “original” Frontier Airlines which operated from 1950 to 1986. The original went into bankruptcy and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Janice Brown and Bob Schulman were both previously employed by the original Frontier Airlines, joined Frederick Brown (Janice’s husband) and started Frontier Airlines as it is known today.
The New Frontier Was Born
The new Frontier got its start in 1994 when it took on Continental Airlines regional routes from Denver’s Stapelton International Airport as Continental announced that it was scaling back service from that airport. Frontier’s first flights were operated between Denver and North Dakota using Boeing 737-200s.
To round out the 1990s, Frontier expanded its service to major cities in every corner of the United States. They also signed agreements to purchase and operate Airbus A318 and Airbus A319 aircraft alongside their Boeing 737 fleet.
At the start of the 2000s, they incorporated Direct TV as part of their inflight entertainment, just like JetBlue Airways.
In 2005, Frontier became an all-Airbus fleet as they retired the last Boeing 737 under operation.
Bankruptcy Troubles
In 2008, Frontier again was in trouble due to bankruptcy. They were eventually purchased by Republic Airways with competition from Southwest Airlines. In addition to the purchase of Frontier, Republic Airways also purchased Midwest Airlines and began operating both airlines as one.
However, there was confusion amongst the public because each airline offered different amenities which sometimes didn’t match what was promised on the airfare. Both airlines were eventually merged in 2010 under the Frontier Airlines brand. Republic Airways sold Frontier Airlines in 2013.
Shift to an Ultra Low-Cost Airline
Frontier announced in 2014 a shift to become an ultra-low-cost airline. The company announced some route service cuts and staff reductions.
The airline was ranked in 2015 as one of the worst-performing airlines in the United States. Poor customer service, on-time performance, and the number of passengers forced off flights are cited as reasons why they were rated so poorly.
Most recently, the airline placed a bid to purchase Spirit Airlines in 2022. However, Spirit’s shareholders rejected Frontier’s deal and decided to take the deal offered by JetBlue Airways.
Key Facts and Information about Frontier Airlines
Year Founded: 1994
Years of Operation: 28 years
Airline Type: Major
Call Sign: FRONTIER FLIGHT
Website: http://flyfrontier.com/
Frontier’s Aircraft Fleet Information
Frontier Airlines has a total of 116 aircraft and are known to operate an all-Airbus fleet.
They joined airlines such as Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Spirit Airlines known as those who only operate aircraft from one manufacturer. This helps with maintenance and pilot training costs.
Frontier also brands itself as “America’s Greenist Airline”. They claim that they are 43% more fuel efficient than competing airlines in the United States. This is due to the fact that their average fleet age is 4 years meaning their aircraft have been built with better fuel efficiency.
Also, they are a very weight-conscious airline. They’ve incorporated lightweight seats in their aircraft and have some of the most strict rules regarding luggage encouraging their customers to pack lighter. Frontier has also removed its flight entertainment system to also remove more added weight.
Frontier Airlines most commonly flies the Airbus A320neo, Airbus A321-200, and Airbus A320-200.
Airbus A320-200
The A320-200 is a popular narrow-body jetliner designed for short to medium-haul flights. It can seat up to 180 passengers and has a range of over 3,000 miles.
Airbus A320NEO
The Airbus A320neo is a narrow-body commercial aircraft that can carry up to 240 passengers. It is known for its fuel efficiency, advanced avionics, and modern design, making it a popular choice for both short and medium-haul flights.
Airbus A321
The Airbus A321-200 is a popular commercial aircraft that is known for its comfort and efficiency. It features spacious interiors, advanced technology, and low fuel consumption, making it a popular choice for airlines worldwide.
Frontier Airlines Seating Configurations and Amenities
Like most ultra-low-cost air carriers, Frontier doesn’t offer much in terms of flight amenities.
They do not carry a flight entertainment system on their aircraft. The airline also doesn’t provide complimentary food service, although food and drink can be purchased onboard the planes.
There is no first-class seating on any of Frontier’s aircraft, however, there are options for stretch seats. These stretch seats offer 5 to 7 inches more legroom than normal seating on a Frontier flight.
As for seating configuration on Frontier aircraft, they use a 2-column, 3-seat per-column configuration.
Frontier Airlines Flight Operations and Performance
Frontier Airlines currently flies to 115 destinations across the United States and international destinations such as El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica.
Frontier Airlines Operating Bases
Frontier Airlines utilizes the following airports as its operating bases.
- Atlanta (KATL)
- Chicago-Midway (KMDW)
- Cleveland (KCLT)
- Las Vegas (KLAS)
- Miami (KMIA)
- Denver (KDEN)
- Orlando (KMCO)
- Philadelphia (KPHL)
- Phoenix-Sky Harbor (KPHX)
- Tampa (KTPA)
- Trenton (KTTN)
Frontier’s Most Popular Routes
Below are some of Frontier’s most popular flight routes based on the number of flights offered per day.
- Orlando to Philadelphia
- Las Vegas to Denver
- Orlando to San Juan
- Washington to Denver
- Denver to Phoenix
- Orlando to Cleveland
- Las Vegas to Dallas Fort Worth
- Atlanta to Orlando
- San Diego to Denver
- Orlando to Trenton
Frontier Airlines On-Time Performance
As already mentioned, in 2015 Frontier Airlines was notoriously famous for having some of the worst on-time performance.
In the first quarter of 2022, it seemed that Frontier Airlines has cleaned up this concern finishing eight of all United States airlines with 64% of flights arriving and departing on time. They were one spot ahead of JetBlue Airways and just below Spirit Airlines.
Is Frontier Airlines a Safe Airline to Fly on?
Frontier Airlines is generally considered a safe airline to fly on, with a strong focus on safety and regulatory compliance.
It maintains a modern fleet of Airbus aircraft and adheres to rigorous maintenance standards to ensure the safety and reliability of its planes. Additionally, Frontier Airlines strictly follows the guidelines and regulations set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States.
The airline also invests in regular training programs for its pilots, cabin crew, and ground staff to maintain high safety standards.
While no airline is completely immune to occasional incidents or disruptions, Frontier Airlines demonstrates a commitment to passenger safety and takes necessary precautions to ensure a safe and secure flying experience.
However, it’s important to note that as with any airline, individual experiences may vary, and factors such as weather conditions, air traffic control, and other external factors can influence the overall flying experience.
Sources
https://seatguru.com/airlines/Frontier_Airlines/information.php
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frontier_Airlines
https://usafacts.org/articles/what-are-the-best-and-worst-airlines-for-on-time-performance/
