a man and woman sitting in an airplane

Frontier Airlines is quietly catching up, finally committing to in-flight Wi-Fi after years of lagging behind its U.S. low-cost peers.

Frontier Airlines Confirms It’s Installing In-Flight Wi-Fi

Frontier CEO Barry Biffle recently confirmed that Wi-Fi is “coming” to the carrier’s fleet, a major shift for an airline that has long operated with no connectivity of any kind. In a statement to The Points Guy, Frontier also noted that “competition among potential vendors is heating up and they are eager to work with us,” suggesting the airline is currently weighing its options for onboard service partners.

Until now, Frontier aircraft have flown with no Wi-Fi, no seat-back screens, no streaming capabilities, and no power outlets. Frontier’s own website still states: “We do not currently offer Wi-Fi, TV, movies or other in-flight entertainment options.” But that could soon change.

View From The Wing notes that Frontier has been evaluating different connectivity models, including advertiser-supported access and paid tiers. The airline now appears ready to commit to installation and move forward with equipping its Airbus fleet.

This Will Make Me Reconsider Frontier

In-flight connectivity is now viewed as a basic expectation by most travelers, including me, even on ultra-low-cost carriers. For many passengers, Wi-Fi availability directly influences booking decisions, especially on longer flights or when traveling for work.

Frontier has historically taken a bare-bones approach, focusing on ultra-low fares and high seat density while avoiding added costs. Installing Wi-Fi involves significant investment: hardware installation, certification, ongoing bandwidth costs, ground infrastructure upgrades, and training. If Frontier is moving ahead despite those costs, it signals a recognition that the competitive landscape has shifted and that connectivity is no longer optional.

I find that to be a smart investment and that alone woudl make me reconsdier flying Frontier again (it wasn’t so bad last for me last time, though my wife and kids had a lot of trouble).

Key Questions Remain

Frontier has not yet released specifics about the service. Several important details are still unknown:

Will Wi-Fi be free, advertiser-supported, or available only through paid tiers?
Which aircraft types will be equipped first?
Will the service support streaming or only basic browsing?
What is the expected installation timeline?

These details will ultimately determine whether this is a meaningful upgrade or mostly a marketing headline.

CONCLUSION

Frontier’s confirmation that Wi-Fi is coming marks a significant change for the carrier. For travelers who already accept limited legroom and minimal amenities to save money, the addition of connectivity could greatly improve the onboard experience. The remaining questions (pricing, rollout, and performance) will determine how impactful this move really is. For now, Frontier’s willingness to embrace Wi-Fi reflects a broader industry acknowledgment: even the most bare-bones airlines cannot ignore the modern expectation of being connected in the air.

image: Frontier