Frontier Airlines adds new destinations as many of the United States Ultra Low Cost Carriers continue their aggressive expansion. Just recently, Spirit announced new destinations and routes. Now, Frontier follows suit. The airline is adding destinations as well as expanding operations in cities it currently serves.
The Routes
Per Travel Weekly, the airline will begin the following routes:
- Cleveland- Minneapolis
- Cleveland- Houston IAH
- Cleveland-Charlotte
- Cleveland- San Diego
- Cincinnati-San Diego
- Cincinnati- New York LGA
- Cincinnati- Minneapolis
- Austin-San Diego
- Austin- Washington IAD
- Austin-Chicago ORD
These routes will operate several times a week. The airline enters a new market (San Diego) with the launch of these flights. Frontier, similar to Spirit, offers ultra low fares, that make you pay for any add-ons you may have. From carry-ons, to seat assignment, they charge for almost everything. This makes the cost of the ticket deceiving, and may end up costing more than some other airlines. The legacy carriers, such as American, have launched basic economy fares to compete with the Ultra-LCCs.
Landing Thoughts
I am always a fan of low fares entering new markets. They tend to drive their competitors to lower fares as well. With the introduction of basic economy, however, we may get lower fares. These fares come with less things included. This could become a trend, and I have mixed feelings about it. I hope to see Frontier continue to expand to new markets, however. Frontier has been expanding to leisure markets recently (launching flights to Cancun and Havana). Maybe someday they will land in Puerto Rico!
What do you think? Are you looking forward to these new Frontier routes? Have you ever flown Frontier? What was your experience?
All images from Wikimedia Commons unless otherwise noted.
Frontier is in talks with officials in Puerto Rico to enter the Puerto Rico market. Between three to six months from now they’ll make an official announcement.