Frontier is adding 20 new routes from Detroit, Houston, Baltimore, Fort Lauderdale, Charlotte, and Dallas with fares starting from just $29 in its latest attack against Spirit Airlines.

Frontier Airlines Adds New Routes, Many Already Flown By Spirit Airlines

Let’s take a look at the new routes first, then we’ll discuss why Frontier might be adding these new routes.

One-way fare start at $29.

These Routes Are Directed At Spirit Airlines

While many of these are bread-and-butter routes for network carriers, the focus on Spirit focus cities in cities like Baltimore, Detroit, and Houston is no coincidence.

As Spirit warns of its fight for survival and explores options, including further route cuts and the selling of its assets, Frontier Airlines sees opportunity. These routes do not begin until the end of 2025 or early 2026…giving Spirit Airlines just enough rope to hang itself. Frontier, perhaps not unreasonably, expects it may be the last major ultra low-cost airline standing by the end of the year and so it might as well go after Spirit on these routes.

But let’s not forget that Frontier is losing money too and even though it has tried to reinvent itself through a premium cabin, extra legroom, and a more generous loyalty program, the program still does not have the reach or power to offset the losses from flying. That’s an existential problem for Frontier and every other budget carrier. It’s why we are seeing a flurry of partnership announcements from Sotuwehst Airlines (EVA Airways) and JetBlue (Condor) as those carriers seek to grow their loyalty program.

Finally, the “Frontier effect” is different than the “Southwest effect” or “Spirit effect” in that the limited flight schedule (like flying from Houston to Fort Lauderdale only once a week) only leads to limited price matching. For example, a United flight from IAH to FLL departing on Saturday around the same time as the Frontier flight may be similarly priced, but all other flights will be priced much higher.

CONCLUSION

Frontier’s expansion is less about building new markets and more about taking direct aim at Spirit during a moment of weakness. Whether these routes succeed will depend not only on Spirit’s survival but also on Frontier’s own ability to stem losses while filling planes on a relatively thin schedule. For consumers, the additions mean more cheap seats…at least on certain days…but the long-term question remains whether Frontier can truly thrive as the last big ultra low-cost carrier standing. If Spirit falters, Frontier may inherit its mantle, but the broader challenge is whether any ULCC can survive in a market that increasingly rewards scale, loyalty programs, and global connectivity.

image: Frontier

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