• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Home  >  Frontier  >  Frontier Airlines Shamed Into Ditching $39 Empty Middle Seat Sale
Frontier

Frontier Airlines Shamed Into Ditching $39 Empty Middle Seat Sale

Matthew Klint Posted onMay 7, 2020May 7, 2020 5 Comments

Frontier Airlines has abruptly abandoned plans to charge $39+ for customers to buy up empty middle seats. Why? Heavy criticism and bad optics.

Recall from our discussion earlier this week that any expectation of an open middle seat is too great an expectation. As travelers slowly begin to return while airlines maintain reduced flight schedules, planes will fill up…including middle seats.

When that happens, the question becomes who should benefit from the few remaining open middle seats? Luck of the draw? Those who paid more? Frontier Airlines, being a budget carrier grasping for new revenue streams, decided to sell remaining middle seats starting at $39. The final price would depend upon the length of the flight and how busy the flight was.

But after making media rounds yesterday to tout the new ancillary offer, Frontier CEO Barry Biffle told a handful of Congressional members last night it would not proceed with the new program on Friday, as planned. Biffle said:

“We recognize the concerns raised that we are profiting from safety and this was never our intent. We simply wanted to provide our customers with an option for more space. We will leave the seats blocked which were associated with this product and honor purchases made by all customers who bought the product up until now.”

That’s a quite different tune from yesterday, when Biffle told the Denver Post:

“We continue to see a lot of feedback from customers that say ‘OK, I get it, I see that I’m safe but I’d just like a little more peace of mind,’ so we have offered this product, this guaranteed middle seat open.”

Many accused Frontier of trying to profit off people’s safety fears. Biffle again dismissed that charge:

“We offer the lowest total prices in the United States. Period. So we are not profiteering off customers at all. We don’t know how much real demand there is for this. And it’s a little like a belt and suspenders, because, again, we believe you are safe on Frontier without this.”

Offering lowest total prices has nothing necessarily to do with profiting off safety. But that statement doesn’t pass the smell test. Spirit Airlines would have been honest about it…


> Read More: Want More Space On An Airplane? Fly Private Or Stay Home…


CONCLUSION

It merits mentioning here that you can ALWAYS ensure the middle seat is open on your flight by buying a second seat. In that sense, I don’t see what the big problem was in Frontier trying to offer that service at a discount. Sure, a few extra inches of spacing between passengers may be marginally safer and certainly more comfortable, but the notion that Frontier was putting passengers at greater risk is simply absurd.

In any case, Frontier expects its aircraft to be full again soon. Biffle said:

“It’s not going to be long before airplanes are full again. Our plan is to have our entire fleet back in the air in July and all of our destinations should be served.”

That may be more wishful thinking than drumming up ancillary revenue by scaring people into buying the middle seat next to them that would likely remain open anyway…

What are your thoughts on the nixed Frontier Airlines middle seat sale?

Previous Article Airlines Have Every Right To Cut Employee Hours Under CARES Act
Next Article United Airlines May Restore Historic Pan Am Fifth Freedom Route

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • all you can fly

    Is Frontier’s GoWild! All-You-Can-Fly-Pass A Good Deal?

    November 20, 2022
  • JetBlue spirit airlines

    Reversal: Spirit Should Buy JetBlue Instead

    August 7, 2022
  • jetblue spirit airlines

    JetBlue-Spirit Airlines Acquisition Approved, What Now?

    July 31, 2022

5 Comments

  1. Peter Reply
    May 7, 2020 at 10:21 am

    The way you wrote this article it’s as if it’s the future and airlines are filling up. Right now if you fly on any airline there’s no way they will sit someone next to you (I’ve taken a flight or 2 a week since pandemic) there’s about 10 people on the flight. Why would there even be an option for me to pay more knowing the flight will only have 10 people. This will now scare me into purchasing the middle flight door safety reasons only to get onboard and there’s 6 people. Theres literally nothing airlines can do right now with people not flying like before. This plan is simply taking from my pocket and giving it to airlines for no reason. I would like to see airlines raise prices right now which is what you said there only option is.

  2. cargocult Reply
    May 7, 2020 at 4:21 pm

    @Peter

    No reason? If you are afraid of sitting next to someone on a plane, you can pay extra to prevent it from happening. That is a price increase for you. Others who don’t share the same fear can pay less. Why should your fears/desires dictate how others interact with airlines? You can already purchase the type of accommodation you desire without forcing others to pay more.

    • Peter Reply
      May 7, 2020 at 4:27 pm

      There’s a reason they changed it and why other airlines don’t charge for this. Now say when airlines are back to their normal routines, then yes at that time I believe paying extra to not have someone sit next to you wild be a great option, but definitely not now mid pandemic.

      • cargocult Reply
        May 7, 2020 at 4:57 pm

        They changed it because of public outcry. That doesn’t mean the public is in the right. This often won’t be an issue given low loads, but as route capacities have been reduced, more crowded flights will return. Passengers should expect to pay more for guarantees of service. One can hope for a complimentary upgrade, use an instrument to confirm one or pay for the premium seat outright. Each passenger can decide according to his preferences. Is the case with middle seats any different?

  3. Pingback: Frontier Airlines Shamed For Wrong Reasons | One Mile at a Time

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Recent Posts

  • Spirit brawl
    Brawl: Spirit Airlines Employees Drawn Into Gate Fight February 5, 2023
  • runway incursion
    Close Call: Two Airliners Narrowly Avoid Runway Catastrophe February 5, 2023
  • belarus journalist arrested on ryanair flight
    Couple Abandon Child At Airport Over €25 Fee February 5, 2023
  • United Airlines Steakhouse Cheeseburger
    Steakhouse Cheeseburger On United Airlines February 4, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Spirit Airlines Captain Runs Out Of Cockpit After Woman Yells “I Hope Y’All Crash And Die!” January 17, 2023
  • Hotel Worker entered room
    Woman Demands $3,000 In Compensation After Hotel Worker Walked Into Her Room At Midnight January 24, 2023
  • United Airlines 2023 Status Extension
    United Airlines Quietly Extends MileagePlus Premier Status…Again January 14, 2023
  • United Airlines Polaris Meal Service: The Sad State Of Affairs January 27, 2023

Archives

February 2023
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728  
« Jan    

As seen on:

live_and_lets_fly

The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles is the most beautiful of all Polaris Lounges. Stay tuned for a detailed look and many more photos on the blog tomorrow. Well done @united.
@malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire i @malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire its A380 fleet. While not surprising, it is sad to see the growing list of carriers retiring this superjumbo jet. On Malaysia Airlines, I flew the #A380 once from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London (LHR) and had the entire first class cabin to myself (full review on the blog). It was a beautiful flight that I will always remember.
Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited tha Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited that a new carrier, Avelo, has launched, especially from an airport just 12 minutes from my home!
I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxair I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxairport. Hopefully this summer it will return.

.
.
.
.
#Lufthansa #FirstClass #747 #747-8 #StarAlliance #Miles #Points
I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. This is not only a lovely, all-inclusive resort, but one of the best properties to use your @hyatt World of Hyatt points.
.
.
.
.
#Hyatt #BigSur #California #WorldofHyatt #CA-1 #Points #Hotels
In terms of a spacious first class product, the @E In terms of a spacious first class product, the @Emirates suite on a 777-300ER is hard to beat. My preference is Suite 2K.

.
.
.
.
#Emirates #777 #firstclass
Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from I Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from Instagram ahead of the birth of my first child. Goodness, how time flies. While I’ve enjoyed catching up on others over the years, now it is time for me to return to Instagram. In this first post, I highlight two joys in my life, my two children, whom I trust will grow up to be prolific travelers that circumnavigate the globe as ambassadors of love and respect.

.
.
.
.
.

#travel #airplanes #airlines #miles #points #familytravel #human #integrity #honor
United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improv United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improvement over UA's current business class seat. Check out my blog at liveandletsfly.com for 70+ photos of how @united is transforming its entire business class experience starting this December!
The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben! The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben!
Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen - Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen -- oh, and I love 40°F summer weather!
One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure of flying with in all my years of flying. Thank you @flysas SK940 on 11 Aug 2016
Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I a Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I assign a window seat months in advance, don't move me to a center seat "for my convenience" with no way to get my original seat back... 😞
Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be rac Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be racing the #Delta flight to JFK at the gate next to us, which also departs at 12:45p. With @onemileatatime
Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregenc Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregencycasablanca #cassablanca #hyatt
Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the i Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the inside of the @grandhyatt_shanghai ... It is 40°C outside! 😓
From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minut From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minutes flat. I ❤️ #bur #burbankairport
@malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in se @malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in service at #kul -- beautiful livery!
View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful bran View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful brand new @parkhyattguangzhou -- look for a full review coming soon on the blog #hyatt #parkhyatt #guangzhou #parkhyattguangzhou
Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, which closes tomorrow and the Queen of the Skies #747 which will be retired in 2018.
The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. If you're ever here, get up at 5am and have a walk around the city before it gets busy. You can hear the birds instead of honking horns.
Load More... Follow on Instagram
facebook twitter instagram rss

This site is for entertainment purposes only. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances.

 

Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners.

 

Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.