Summary
- Frontier Airlines introduced new fare options on Friday.
- The carrier’s CEO, Barry Biffle, assures no change fees and transparency in pricing.
- Enhancements include free change/cancel fees, extended flight credit validity, customer service phone calls.
Ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) Frontier Airlines announced major policy changes on Friday. The airline, which refers to itself as “The New Frontier,” says the changes will improve its product and enhance the passenger experience.
The updated policies revise pricing, and change fees, and customer benefits. The changes follow a final rule from the Department of Transportation (DOT) that prevents airlines from implementing surprise junk fees when travelers book their flights.
What are the changes?
There are four different booking bundles: Basic, Economy, Premium, and Business. The airline says the options are “designed to meet various customers’ needs and budgets,” although the Premium and Business bundles are “subject to availability.”
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Passengers who book the Business bundle will be provided with “UpFront Plus” seating that offers additional space and comfort. Rather than a designated class with larger seats in a 2-2 seating configuration, the airline is eliminating the middle seats in the front section of the aircraft. The bundle also gives passengers a complimentary carry-on bag and two free checked bags limited to 50 pounds (lbs). Additionally, business passengers have priority boarding privileges, allowing guaranteed overhead bin space.
Photo: nyker | Shutterstock
The Premium bundle provides passengers with the same benefits as the Business bundle except for complimentary checked bags, while the Economy bundle comes with a standard seat assignment and a carry-on bag. Travelers who book the Basic bundle, the cheapest option, are only allowed a free personal item. All other amenities will be available for purchase, which the carrier says offers “a balance between affordability and convenience.”
“Just really low prices”
Frontier’s CEO, Barry Biffle, spoke about the airline’s pricing overhaul on Friday.
“Today marks the beginning of a new era for Frontier – one with transparency in our prices, no change fees and the lowest total price. This is ‘The New Frontier’ and we are committed to offering more than the lowest fares – we deliver the best price for all the options you want and the customer support you need, when you need it. No gimmicks, just really low prices and good customer service.”
According to the airline, the new pricing options are currently only available on its website and will eventually be rolled out on its mobile app. Should Premium and UpFront Plus seating become full, passengers will be provided with the next best seat option available and will be subject to paying any differences in fares.
|
Frontier Airlines New Fare Options Comparison Table |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Allowance |
Basic Fare |
Economy Bundle |
Premium Bundle |
Business Bundle |
|
Personal Item |
Included |
Included |
Included |
Included |
|
Board First |
For purchase |
For purchase |
Included |
Included |
|
Choose Your Seat |
For purchase |
Standard seat included |
Premium seat included |
UpFront Plus seat included |
|
Checked Bags |
For purchase |
For purchase |
For purchase |
Two bags, 50 lbs each |
|
No Change/Cancel Fee |
N/A |
Included |
Included |
Included |
|
Bundle prices starting from (per person, per direction) |
N/A |
From $30 |
From $50 |
From $100 |
Enhancements to customer service
Eliminating change fees is another new element of the “New Frontier.” The benefit is only available to passengers with Economy, Premium, and Business tickets, allowing increased travel flexibility.
“We’ve changed, and now it’s free to change,” Biffle explained. “This enhancement is a key part of our promise to make travel with Frontier as flexible and worry-free as possible. We understand that plans can change, and we want to ensure that when they do, our passengers can adjust their bookings without the stress of additional fees.”
Frontier will also extend the validity of flight credits. Any credits issued on or after May 17th will be valid for 12 months, up from the previous three-month validity allowance. Customer support via speaking to a representative on the phone is returning. The benefit is available for passengers within 24 hours of their flight or those with Elite status. In addition, the airline says a “new callback service” will soon be introduced, catering to other inquiries that travelers may have.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
The ULCC is also doubling down on its commitment to low fares. Its new “For Less” price guarantee allows passengers to compare the airline’s fare to other competitors on the same route and date. If a traveler finds a lower price on a different airline, Frontier will award them 2,500 frequent flyer miles after completing their trip.
“This guarantee is part of our commitment to ensuring you always travel with confidence,” Biffle stated.
Last month, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a final rule requiring airlines to disclose all add-on fees. US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the new rule will result in passengers saving more than a billion dollars annually.
“Airlines should compete with one another to secure passengers’ business—not to see who can charge the most in surprise fees. DOT’s new rule will save passengers over half a billion dollars a year in unnecessary or unexpected fees by holding airlines accountable for being transparent with their customers.”
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