Frontier Airlines is adding routes and potentially Wi-Fi. The Denver-based low-cost airline announced Thursday an expansion of four routes covering six U.S. cities.
This includes new service to Orlando from the New York City area, as well as a flight that will likely catch the attention of one of the largest US airlines.
Meanwhile, Frontier has confirmed that it is considering inflight Wi-Fi for its planes, a feature that just a couple of years ago would have been unthinkable for the historically no-frills airline.
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Frontier’s 4-route expansion
Let’s go to the new routes first. That’s actually three completely new routes and one returning one, to be specific.
The budget airline is beefing up its service to warm-weather destinations during the winter months.
The flights below will launch between early January and mid-February, so they will take off very soon.
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Orlando International Airport (MCO) – Launches January 21 and operates three times a week
- MCO to Pensacola International Airport (PNS) – Launches February 13, Offering Twice-Weekly Service
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) to Tucson International Airport (TUS): Launches January 22 and runs twice a week.
Additionally, Frontier will regain service between Miami International Airport (MIA) and O’Hare International Airport (ORD), a route it last served in 2022, according to Cirium scheduling data.
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Those flights will begin on February 13 and will operate three times a week. American Airlines will likely figure out this route from MIA to ORD, as it is a flight between two of their hubs. (O’Hare is, of course, also the home base of United Airlines.)
Onboard Wi-Fi on the horizon
Frontier also made headlines in recent weeks by signaling its intention to add inflight Wi-Fi to its planes.
For years, the airline has remained without Internet, even as its main domestic competitor, Spirit Airlines, added inflight connectivity.
But earlier this month, CEO Barry Biffle responded to a social media comment about inflight Wi-Fi by saying, “it’s coming.”
A Frontier spokesperson elaborated, telling TPG that the airline hopes to select a Wi-Fi partner within the next year.
“Competition among potential suppliers is increasing and they are eager to work with us,” the airline said.
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Wi-Fi on board is becoming more and more important amenity for airlines. Each of the six largest U.S. airlines has announced plans to make Wi-Fi free (or has already made it free).
Until now, Frontier has held off on using Wi-Fi, which is an expensive service for airlines to add, and which historically hasn’t suited its low-cost, no-frills approach.
But the airline is already breaking that mold in other ways, with plans to add first class seats in the near future.
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