Frontier Airlines
was founded in 1994 and its business has evolved significantly since its founding. When it was first founded, it was a low-cost carrier, started by a group of entrepreneurs including former Continental Airlines executives. Its original business model was to provide affordable air travel with a no-frills approach.
At first, the airline focused its route network in the Western United States. However, throughout the years, the airline went through several ownership changes and financial challenges. Republic Airways Holdings acquired the airline in 2009 when it was going through bankruptcy. Frontier was then acquired by Indigo Partners in 2013, an investment firm that focused on low-cost carriers. After the acquisition from Indigo, the ownership shifted the airline’s operational model, expanding aggressively and fully becoming an ultra-low-cost carrier.
Today, Frontier is one of the two largest ULCCs in the US, competing with Spirit Airlines. In fact, in recent years, a merger between the two was considered, but it never went through. With low fares and ancillary fees, the airline generates revenue by charging for things like seat selection, baggage, and onboard food and beverages.
Photo: Bradley Caslin | Shutterstock
Frontier’s network has expanded to more than 100 destinations in the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Its fleet comprises A320 family aircraft, including several A320neos and A321neos. The airline is known for its branding, with animals on its aircraft tails, each with a special nickname.
The airline’s loyalty program is called Frontier Miles. Recently, Frontier Miles shifted to a revenue-based system for earnings, but redemption rates are still fixed. There are three separate categories of fares, all with varying availability. Availability is determined by remaining flight inventory, and pricing is not linked to cash ticket prices.
The three categories of award fares are:
- Value: lowest category with the least availability. More likely to be available booking far in advance, at off-peak times, on less popular routes. Flexible plans will help find availability.
- Standard: also restricted, but more seats at a higher cost.
- Last seat: the most expensive option, guaranteeing a seat on flights that have not yet been sold out. This fare is only available to Frontier Elite members.
Award travel in the value category is available starting at 10,000 miles one-way in the US and Puerto Rico. In standard, fares start at 20,000 miles one-way, and in Last Seat, 22,500 miles.
Below are six examples of routes that can be found starting at 10,000 miles one-way.
6
Atlanta – Montego Bay
Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport – Sangster International Airport
The first is from Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Montego Bay, Jamaica. In September, Frontier is operating two weekly flights to Montego Bay, alternating between its Airbus A321s and A320neos. Value fares for this route start at 15,000 miles one-way, while standard fares start at 25,000.
Taxes and fees:
- $49.60 one-way
- $168.70 roundtrip
5
Miami – Punta Cana
Miami International Airport – Punta Cana International Airport
The second is from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. According to data from Cirium, this route is only operated once weekly this month. The airline deploys its A320neos from MIA to PUJ. Mileage pricing to Punta Cana is the same as to Montego Bay, but taxes and fees are lower roundtrip.
Taxes and fees:
- $49.60 one-way
- $115.55 roundtrip
4
San Juan – Punta Cana
Luis Munoz Marin International Airport – Punta Cana International Airport
As San Juan, Puerto Rico is now a base for Frontier, which has made a push in competition with JetBlue in its local operations, the airline also has flights to Punta Cana. This route is operated five times weekly with the airline’s neo aircraft, both the A320neo and A321neo. The route starts at 10,000 points one-way and taxes are $122 roundtrip.
Photo: Punta Cana International Airport
3
Chicago – Cancun
Chicago O’Hare International Airport – Cancún International Airport
Frontier flies daily from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Cancun, Mexico. The Mexican city, located on the Gulf Of Mexico, is one of the country’s most popular destination. Cancun is famous for its beautiful beaches and warm water. From ORD, Frontier deploys both of its neo aircraft types.
This route also starts off at 15,000 miles one way for a value fare and 25,000 miles one-way for a standard fare.
Photo: Alexander Canas Arango | Shutterstock
Taxes and fees:
- $40.71 one-way
- $126.24 roundtrip
2
New York (JFK) – San Juan
John F. Kennedy International Airport – Luis Munoz Marin International Airport
Competing with JetBlue seems to be a pattern of Frontier’s recently. The ULCC has a nonstop route from John F. Kennedy International Airport to San Juan, and operates flights daily, twice daily on most days. Frontier uses its larger A321neos between the two airports, offering the most amount of seats possible. Despite this, JetBlue has a product that attracts a different level of customers, deploying its Airbus A321LRs with its signature Mint product on some JFK-SJU flights.
Photo: JetBlue
The flight from JFK to SJU starts at 10,000 miles for the value fare and 20,000 miles for standard. Last Seat starts at 22,500 one-way. Taxes and fees are just $5.60 each way.
Taxes and fees:
1
San Juan – Sint Maarten
John F. Kennedy International Airport – Princess Juliana International Airport
The last route on this list is perhaps one of the most exciting ones. From San Juan, Frontier is flying once weekly to Sint Maarten this month. SXM is famous for Maho Beach, where planes fly extremely low before landing because the beach is right up against the airport fence line. The beach is also known for jet blasts, which blow away people’s hats and chairs if they are too close to the fence.
Photo: Wangkun Jia | Shutterstock
This route is operated by Frontier’s A320neo and is available starting at 10,000 miles one-way. Taxes are $91 roundtrip.