Frontier Airlines is returning to Burbank with a trio of new routes, all three of which directly challenge an incumbent carrier including both of United’s routes from the convenient Southern California airport.
Frontier Takes On Southwest, United, American, and Alaska With Three New Burbank Routes
It has been a rough road for Frontier Airlines. The budget carrier has tried to reinvent itself in an era in which demand for so-called “ultra-low-cost carriers” has plummeted. That includes directly challenging incumbent carriers on their so-called “bread and butter” routes in an effort to win not just leisure travelers, but business travelers. Frontier is also sharply reducing its flying on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, which are traditionally slower travel days.
In its latest route shake-up, Frontier announced it would return to Hollywood-Burbank Airport (BUR), my home airport just 15 minutes away, with a trio of new* flights:
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- daily service launches November 22, 2024
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- four weekly round trips launch November 21, 2024
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- daily service launches November 21, 2024
New has an asterisk in that Frontier has tried service to Denver and Phoenix before, in 2022 to be precise. It did not work then. But will it work now?
Southwest Airlines already serves all three destinations with multiple flights per day. United Airlines services both Denver and San Francisco. Alaska Airlines serves San Francisco. American Airlines serves Phoenix.
I don’t know whether it work, but should force the incumbent carriers to keep fares in check, which will benefit all travelers as long as Frontier operates. But of course that is the problem with carriers like Frontier (or Spirit): if full-service carriers drop pricing to be competitive, folks will choose those carriers (and even pay a little more to do so).
Other New Frontier Routes
Additionally, Frontier Airlines announced the following new routes:
- Atlanta (ATL) ⇄ Austin (AUS) – 3x weekly – begins October 11, 2024
- Atlanta (ATL) ⇄ Newark (EWR) – daily – begins November 4, 2024
- Atlanta (ATL) ⇄ Washington Dulles (IAD) – daily – begins November 14, 2024
- Cincinnati (CVG) ⇄ Sarasota (SRQ) – 1x weekly – begins October 12, 2024
- Orlando (MCO) ⇄ Washington Dulles (IAD) – 4x weekly – begins November 14, 2024
- Orlando (MCO) ⇄ New York (JFK) – daily – begins October 27, 2024
- New York (JFK) ⇄ Tampa (TPA) – daily – begins October 27, 2024
- Seattle (SEA) ⇄ Salt Lake City (SLC) – 3x weekly – begins October 21, 2024
Every flight above is already served by at least one other carrier.
CONCLUSION
Frontier has been aggressive in trying to return to profitability and I wish it all the best. Frontier may not be for me, but offers a compelling product for those who simply want to get between points A and B at the cheapest price and do not mind traveling light.
While I’m not convinced there is anything Frontier can do at the moment to find success, it makes sense to keep tinkering as it searches for a route network that does not bleed red ink.
