Frontier Airlines Expands Summer Offerings with Over 50 New Routes
Frontier Airlines, a Denver-based ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC), is significantly ramping up its operations with the addition of over 50 new and returning routes as part of its summer schedule. This expansion marks a substantial increase in Frontier’s footprint in the U.S. domestic market, alongside enhanced services to the Caribbean and Mexico.
Starting in the second quarter of the year, Frontier plans to begin flights from a total of 38 airports, with services commencing in April, May, or June. The expansion includes 14 new routes from Dallas-Fort Worth, seven from Charlotte, and eight from San Juan, Puerto Rico. An analysis by Routes indicates that Frontier will encounter competition on 51 of the 54 services being launched, showcasing the airline’s strategic entry into competitive markets.
Josh Flyr, Frontier’s Vice President for Network and Operations Design, emphasizes that this expansion is part of the airline’s strategy to grow in underserved and overpriced routes, both domestically and internationally.
The expansion encompasses flights from existing Frontier bases such as Atlanta, Denver, Las Vegas, Miami, Philadelphia, Phoenix Sky Harbor, and Tampa. Additionally, the airline is preparing to establish new bases in Chicago O’Hare and Midway, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Cleveland Hopkins, and San Juan later this year.
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is set to see the most significant expansion with 13 domestic routes and one international route to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. This move will increase Frontier’s total network from DFW to 35 routes and approximately 250 weekly departures.
San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) will also see a notable expansion with eight new routes. Frontier plans to open a crew base at SJU in June, with an expectation to station around 90 pilots and 200 flight attendants within a year. Since 2019, Frontier has more than doubled its capacity to and from Puerto Rico, and the new expansion will add 22 more departures per week from SJU.
According to OAG Schedules Analyser data, Frontier has previously operated 21 of these 54 routes since 2020, but they have not been part of its network since 2022.
By early June 2024, once all new routes are operational, Frontier will face significant competition on most routes. Only three routes — Raleigh-Durham to Milwaukee, San Juan to Norfolk, and San Juan to Palm Beach — will be exclusive to Frontier. This strategic expansion reflects Frontier’s commitment to increasing its market presence and offering affordable travel options in key domestic and international markets.