Frontier Airlines Adds First Class, Upgrades, Free Companion Travel

Frontier is looking at a significant pay raise for pilots and overall operating costs are going up.

They need higher yields.

It's attractive for anyone doing nonstops. But I wouldn't want to fly Frontier with connections. Nor would I want to fly Frontier during bad weather. Their customer service is notoriously awful. I'm also curious to know if there will be a meal service on longer routes or if we're just getting drinks/snacks and a seat.

"In late 2025, Frontier Airlines plans to introduce a first class cabin on all of its aircraft."

It will take less than Allegris, for sure.

The issue is that the ULCC isn't sustainable in the long run. If it was Spirit and Frontier would be making a billion plus a year but the latter is struggling to survive and the former is barely profitable. So there's only one direction, up.

The issue will be what will the total product be and how will their pricing compare to cash upgrade offers. That's the audience they will be targeting. Flyers that know about cash upgrades and take advantage of them when they are worth while. Simply a bigger seat and make a free bag of pretzels might not do it.

As long as they stick with Airbus as if it’s Boeing …. I ain’t going.

My biggest problem with Frontier (and one that I don't think they've announced plans to address) is that unlike all other airlines in the US (including even Spirit), they do not have WiFi on their planes. While I don't always need WiFi, I rarely know in advance if I will, so booking Frontier is a nonstarter.

I disagree, I think the unbundled low-cost model is ultimately going to be extinct in a couple of years. The US is ahead of Europe in this sense, but given how expensive the likes of Ryanair and easyJet have become here, I reckon they're not going to survive with their current model. easyJet is already really heavily pushing its easyJet Holidays something they copied from UK rival Jet2 which has had massive successes with and BA is even pushing BA Holidays more rather than flight purchases alone. Often they include free hold luggage with these "packages". As fares continue to rise, the difference between low-cost carriers and legacy carriers is going to be less and they start to compete more on the same field in terms of customers, so I think we'll see some re-introduction of onboard service and things like luggage becoming included again as the norm.

From your mouth to dog's ear...

I like the stock photo. Asian bro trying to rizz on Svetlana. Seems welcoming and positive.

Must be a sad life to voluntarily avoid so many great aircraft (And I mean that both ways). Fleet diversity is nice.

No way low costs are going extinct in Europe, they are still much larger than legacies.

I'd say my biggest problem is getting over the fear that if they cancel my flight I'm stuck for days. They need to provide a real solution for irregular/cancelled ops, other than "your next available flight is next week."

My biggest complaint and problem with Frontier is their horrible and deplorable customer service. The agents who staff their chatbot are completely useless and it's outrageous that they require you to pay extra to talk to somebody on the phone.

Back in 2017 my partner and I decided to fly Frontier from TPA to LAS. Now I grew up with the old, wonderful Frontier. I knew this experience would be FAR from the days of Steak & eggs for breakfast on a Salt Lake to Denver flight. NEVER could I have imagined just how miserable we would be for almost 5 hours.
I knew it would be bare bones...just didn't think the experience would be painful.
LOL flew DL F class home, NEVER again Frontier.

I flew them once after hearing such lovely things. It was the most uncomfortable seat, and I've flown on Norwegian euro flights, and Indigo.

You base your ticket purchase on WiFi? You were never a Frontier target customer...

...as the business mantra goes...know who your customers are, and know who are NOT your customers.

Such a boring comment.

Always references to "ULCC", but what are the actual operational cost differentials these days?? It's kinda worthless to reference "ULCC" without a reference to actual financials? Of course, the definition also varies by global region.

Anyways, without the data... seems Frontier is highly innovative. Do they have a new management team?

Will it work...?...it seems based on Frontier being able to develop a loyalty base, but I'd think their base is more price driven...not loyalty driven. Not an ideal recipe for yields. And that also comes down to network. I admittedly don't know much about their network other than DEN. We'll see! But I think it's great that they're being innovative..

One is not apologetic for boring you Leigh, but perhaps you might like an explanation.
For decades I have flown with the airline and upon whichever aircraft my masters have deemed it necessary. The variety of aircraft types I have experienced is both extensive and enviable to most aircraft geeks. Very soon, upon my retirement, I will be free to choose my own airline, destinations and aircraft type.
Boeing have proven to have lost their way in recent years, manufacturing, technology and safety records, etc, have become unenviable. Therefore, I would not set foot on a Max.
Now Airbus are the masters of the commercial airline industry, as demonstrated by their current order book, delivery records, etc.
Ben regularly reports that the Airbus A350 and A380, are favourites of his. One has to agree, these aircraft do provide a superior passenger experience, especially when travelling in F or J cabins.
Currently crossing the pond on a B787, the flight experience is pleasant enough thanks to BA. However, my next return trip on an A350 will be much quieter, the cabin climate and ambiance much nicer because of superior Airbus technology, etc.
One hopes that this synopsis will clarify my earlier comment.

@Samo, doesn't mean they always will be. As prices rise people will expect and want to take more for granted. Unbundled service and crap service is not going to cut it.

Nice addition, but frequency & dependability are the key attractions for business PAX who pay a premium which Frontier, Spirit, & JetBlue desperately need.
Might be better to adopt the Euro ULLC model of flight banks from key airports.