Frontier Airlines Resumes Service at San Jose with New Domestic Routes

After a hiatus of nearly three years, Frontier Airlines is set to return to San Jose International Airport (SJC) in July, launching five new domestic routes to key destinations across the western United States. The ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) had previously ceased operations at SJC in September 2021, citing rising cost pressures and a challenging fare environment. At that time, Frontier’s sole route from San Jose was to Las Vegas.

The revival of Frontier’s operations at SJC will see the airline offering flights to Denver International Airport (DEN), San Diego International Airport, Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). The first two routes, to Denver and San Diego, will commence on July 22, followed by the additional three routes starting on August 13.

This strategic expansion will significantly increase Frontier’s presence at SJC, with the airline planning to operate 35 flights per week by mid-August. Frontier’s return is marked by a network model adjustment, shifting towards an out-and-back model which enhances operational efficiency by having crews and aircraft return to a base city each night. According to Frontier’s president, Jimmy Dempsey, the network realignment has shown substantial progress, aiming for 80% out-and-back flying by June, supported by new crew bases in Cincinnati, Chicago, and soon in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Frontier faces direct competition on only one of the new routes, with United Airlines currently operating the SJC to DEN route. However, data indicates that United’s frequencies on this route will be reduced significantly by mid-August.

The ULCC’s expansion in San Jose is part of a broader strategy to enhance connectivity within its network, including potential new routes between the U.S. mainland and San Juan, and intra-Caribbean services. Frontier plans to establish a significant crew base in San Juan, expecting to staff it with up to 90 pilots and 200 flight attendants within a year of opening.

This expansion not only signifies Frontier’s renewed commitment to the San Jose market but also underscores the dynamic nature of airline route strategies in response to evolving market conditions.