Frontier Airlines, Inc. is a
low-costA low-cost carrier or low-cost airline is an airline that offers generally low fares in exchange for eliminating many traditional passenger services...
airlineAn airline provides air transport services for passengers or freight, generally with a recognized operating certificate or license. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit.Airlines vary...
headquartered in
DenverThe City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the state of Colorado, in the United States. Denver is a consolidated city-county located in the South Platte River Valley on the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
,
ColoradoColorado is a U.S. state located in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States of America. It may also be considered to be part of the Western and Southwestern regions of the United States. Colorado entered statehood in 1876 and was nicknamed the “Centennial State”...
,
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The carrier operates flights throughout the
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
,
MexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, and
Costa RicaCosta Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the east and south, the Pacific Ocean to the west and south and the Caribbean Sea to the east.Costa Rica, which translates literally as "Rich Coast", constitutionally...
. Frontier is a major low-cost airline with two thirds of its US destinations west of the
Mississippi RiverThe Mississippi River is the second longest river in the United States, with a length of from its source in Lake Itasca in Minnesota to its mouth in the Gulf of Mexico....
. The carrier maintains its sole
hubAn airline hub is an airport that an airline uses as a transfer point to get passengers to their intended destination. It is part of a hub and spoke model, where travelers moving between airports not served by direct flights change planes en route to their destinations...
at
Denver International AirportDenver International Airport , often called DIA, is, by land size at , the largest international airport in the United States, and the third largest international airport in the world after King Fahd International Airport and Montreal-Mirabel International Airport...
, and provides regional service to the surrounding
Rocky Mountain StatesThe Mountain States form one of the nine geographic divisions of the United States that are officially recognized by the United States Census Bureau....
through a code-share agreement with
Great Lakes AirlinesGreat Lakes Airlines, is an American regional airline operating domestic scheduled and charter services. Corporate headquarters are located in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with hubs at Denver International Airport, Kansas City International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Lambert-St...
. Frontier is not a member of any of the major air carrier alliances.
In March 2007,
Republic AirlinesRepublic Airline, Inc., operates as Republic Airlines is a regional airline subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings that operates service as US Airways Express for US Airways and as Midwest Connect for Midwest Airlines, using a fleet of Embraer 170 and Embraer 175 aircraft...
slowly began replacing
Horizon AirHorizon Air Industries, Inc. is a regional airline based in SeaTac, Washington, United States. It is the eighth largest regional airline in the USA, serving 52 cities in the United States and Canada....
as the operator of their feeder service, Frontier Airlines operated by Republic Airlines; Frontier JetExpress, which was operated by Horizon Air, ceased operations on November 30, 2007. In April 2008, Frontier and Republic terminated their agreement and Republic withdrew its aircraft from Frontier service on June 23, 2008.
On April 10, 2008, Frontier announced that it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to its credit card processor,
First DataFirst Data Corporation is an American payment processing company headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado. First Data is a provider of electronic commerce and payment solutions, and the company's chief rival is TSYS...
, attempting to withhold significant proceeds from ticket sales. First Data decided that it would withhold 100% of the carrier's proceeds from ticket sales beginning May 1. According to Frontier's press release, "This change in practice would have represented a material change to our cash forecasts and business plan. Unchecked, it would have put severe restraints on Frontier's liquidity..." Its operation continues uninterrupted, though, as Chapter 11 bankruptcy protects the
corporationA corporation is a legal entity separate from the shareholders and employees. In British tradition it is the term designating a body corporate, where it can be either a corporation sole or a corporation aggregate...
's assets and allows restructuring to ensure long-term viability.
On June 22, 2009 Frontier announced that pending court approval, Republic Airways would become corporate parent of Frontier. However, on July 30, 2009, Dallas-based
Southwest AirlinesSouthwest Airlines Co. is an American low-cost airline. Southwest is the largest airline in the world by number of passengers carried per year . Southwest, the 6th largest U.S. airline by revenue, maintains the third-largest passenger fleet of aircraft among all of the world's commercial airlines....
announced that it would be making a bid for Frontier during a bankruptcy auction in August.
On August 13, 2009,
Republic Airways HoldingsRepublic Airways Holdings, Inc. is an aviation holding corporation based in Indianapolis, Indiana, which owns six airlines operating in the United States: Chautauqua Airlines, Midwest Airlines, Republic Airlines, Shuttle America, Frontier Airlines, and Lynx Aviation, the latter two as of August...
acquired Frontier Airlines and
Lynx AviationLynx Aviation, Inc. is a regional airline based in Denver, Colorado, USA. The airline is a subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings and operates feeder service for Frontier Airlines. The Lynx name plays off of the tail pictures of its planes, specifically Larry the Lynx, and the fact that it "links"...
as wholly owned subsidiaries. On October 1, 2009 Republic completed the transaction as Frontier officially exited bankruptcy as a new airline.
History
Frontier Airlines was founded in 1994 by a group that included executives of
a previous incarnation of Frontier AirlinesFrontier Airlines was formed by a merger of Arizona Airways, Challenger Airlines, and Monarch Airlines on June 1, 1950, with headquarters at Stapleton Airport in Denver, Colorado. However, it dated its origin to November 27, 1946 when Monarch began service over routes in Colorado, Utah, New...
. Scheduled flights began in 1994 utilizing
Boeing 737The Boeing 737 is a short to medium range, single aisle, narrow body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has nine variants with the -600, -700, -800 and -900 currently in production.Originally envisioned in...
aircraft. Like the original, Frontier flies out of Denver and competes with
United AirlinesUnited Air Lines, Inc., trading as United Airlines , is a major airline of the United States. It is a subsidiary of UAL Corporation with corporate offices in Chicago at 77 West Wacker Drive in the Chicago Loop. United's largest hub is O'Hare International Airport, where it has more than 550 daily...
and
Southwest AirlinesSouthwest Airlines Co. is an American low-cost airline. Southwest is the largest airline in the world by number of passengers carried per year . Southwest, the 6th largest U.S. airline by revenue, maintains the third-largest passenger fleet of aircraft among all of the world's commercial airlines....
. In the late 1990s, Frontier began purchasing
AirbusAirbus
SAS is an aircraft manufacturing subsidiary of EADS, a European aerospace company. Based in Toulouse, France, and with significant activity across Europe, the company produces around half of the world's jet airliners.Airbus began as a consortium of aerospace manufacturers...
aircraft and offering
DirecTVDirecTV is a direct broadcast satellite service based in El Segundo, California, which transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States. Its primary competitors are Dish Network and cable providers. DirecTV currently has 18 million subscribers...
in-flight television on its new aircraft. Frontier Airlines was the launch customer of the Airbus A318 in 2003. In mid-April 2005, Frontier officially became an all-Airbus fleet, retiring its last 737.
As part of its plan to stay competitive the company underwent a reorganization early in 2006. On April 3, 2006 Frontier created Frontier Airlines Holdings, Inc. (FRNT), a holding company incorporated in
DelawareDelaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The state takes its name from Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, a British nobleman and Virginia's first colonial governor, after whom Cape Henlopen was originally named.Delaware is located in...
to take advantage of favorable tax laws in that state. The corporate headquarters did not leave Colorado.
In November 2006, Frontier Airlines partnered with
AirTran AirwaysAirTran Airways is a Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport based low-cost airline with headquarters in Orlando, Florida, USA. It is a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings. AirTran operates over 750 daily flights, primarily in the eastern and midwestern United States...
, allowing frequent fliers to earn airline miles in its EarlyReturns frequent flyer program, or AirTran's A+ frequent flyer program. In addition, the airlines refer customers to each other when appropriate.
On January 24, 2007, Frontier was designated as a
major carrierMajor carrier or major airline carrier is a designation given by the United States Department of Transportation to U.S.-based airlines that post more than $1 billion in revenue during a fiscal year.As of 2008, the major carriers are the following:...
by the
United States Department of TransportationThe United States Department of Transportation is a federal Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with transportation. It was established by an act of Congress on October 15, 1966 and began operation on April 1, 1967...
.
On April 10, 2008 Frontier Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. While in bankruptcy Frontier will continue to operate.
After months of losses, Frontier Airlines reported that they made their first profit during the month of November 2008. Frontier Airlines reported $2.9 Million in net income during the month of November.
On June 22, 2009, Frontier Airlines announced that pending bankruptcy court approval,
Republic Airways HoldingsRepublic Airways Holdings, Inc. is an aviation holding corporation based in Indianapolis, Indiana, which owns six airlines operating in the United States: Chautauqua Airlines, Midwest Airlines, Republic Airlines, Shuttle America, Frontier Airlines, and Lynx Aviation, the latter two as of August...
, an Indianapolis based Holding company that owns
Chautauqua AirlinesChautauqua Airlines, Inc. is a regional airline and a subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings based in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. Based on April 2008 published flight schedules, it operates scheduled passenger services on more than 680 flights daily to 94 airports in 30 states,...
,
Shuttle AmericaShuttle America Corporation is a regional airline based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. It feeds United Airlines flights at Chicago, Denver, and Washington as United Express, and feeds Delta Air Lines flights at Atlanta and New York as Delta Connection and Delta Shuttle...
,
Republic AirlinesRepublic Airline, Inc., operates as Republic Airlines is a regional airline subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings that operates service as US Airways Express for US Airways and as Midwest Connect for Midwest Airlines, using a fleet of Embraer 170 and Embraer 175 aircraft...
, and
Midwest AirlinesMidwest Airlines is an airline subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings based in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, operating from the city's General Mitchell International Airport...
, would acquire all assets of Frontier Airlines for the amount of $108 million. Thus, Frontier Airlines would become a wholly new airline.
On July 30, 2009,
Southwest AirlinesSouthwest Airlines Co. is an American low-cost airline. Southwest is the largest airline in the world by number of passengers carried per year . Southwest, the 6th largest U.S. airline by revenue, maintains the third-largest passenger fleet of aircraft among all of the world's commercial airlines....
publicly announced a $113.6 million bid for Frontier Airlines, with intent to operate Frontier as a wholly owned subsidiary. Further, according to the web site, it will slowly fold Frontier resources in to current Southwest operating assets. However, on August 13, 2009, Republic Airways won the auction. Upon emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the Fall of 2009, Frontier Airlines and Lynx Aviation will become wholly owned subsidiaries of the Indianapolis based company.
On August 13, 2009,
{{Otheruses4|the company founded in 1994|the earlier (1950 to 1986) company|Frontier Airlines (1950-1986)}}
{{For|the similarly named Alaskan airline|Frontier Flying Service}}
Frontier Airlines, Inc. is a
low-costA low-cost carrier or low-cost airline is an airline that offers generally low fares in exchange for eliminating many traditional passenger services...
airlineAn airline provides air transport services for passengers or freight, generally with a recognized operating certificate or license. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit.Airlines vary...
headquartered in
DenverThe City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the state of Colorado, in the United States. Denver is a consolidated city-county located in the South Platte River Valley on the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
,
ColoradoColorado is a U.S. state located in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States of America. It may also be considered to be part of the Western and Southwestern regions of the United States. Colorado entered statehood in 1876 and was nicknamed the “Centennial State”...
,
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The carrier operates flights throughout the
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
,
MexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, and
Costa RicaCosta Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the east and south, the Pacific Ocean to the west and south and the Caribbean Sea to the east.Costa Rica, which translates literally as "Rich Coast", constitutionally...
. Frontier is a major low-cost airline with two thirds of its US destinations west of the
Mississippi RiverThe Mississippi River is the second longest river in the United States, with a length of from its source in Lake Itasca in Minnesota to its mouth in the Gulf of Mexico....
. The carrier maintains its sole
hubAn airline hub is an airport that an airline uses as a transfer point to get passengers to their intended destination. It is part of a hub and spoke model, where travelers moving between airports not served by direct flights change planes en route to their destinations...
at
Denver International AirportDenver International Airport , often called DIA, is, by land size at , the largest international airport in the United States, and the third largest international airport in the world after King Fahd International Airport and Montreal-Mirabel International Airport...
, and provides regional service to the surrounding
Rocky Mountain StatesThe Mountain States form one of the nine geographic divisions of the United States that are officially recognized by the United States Census Bureau....
through a code-share agreement with
Great Lakes AirlinesGreat Lakes Airlines, is an American regional airline operating domestic scheduled and charter services. Corporate headquarters are located in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with hubs at Denver International Airport, Kansas City International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Lambert-St...
. Frontier is not a member of any of the major air carrier alliances.
In March 2007,
Republic AirlinesRepublic Airline, Inc., operates as Republic Airlines is a regional airline subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings that operates service as US Airways Express for US Airways and as Midwest Connect for Midwest Airlines, using a fleet of Embraer 170 and Embraer 175 aircraft...
slowly began replacing
Horizon AirHorizon Air Industries, Inc. is a regional airline based in SeaTac, Washington, United States. It is the eighth largest regional airline in the USA, serving 52 cities in the United States and Canada....
as the operator of their feeder service, Frontier Airlines operated by Republic Airlines; Frontier JetExpress, which was operated by Horizon Air, ceased operations on November 30, 2007. In April 2008, Frontier and Republic terminated their agreement and Republic withdrew its aircraft from Frontier service on June 23, 2008.
On April 10, 2008, Frontier announced that it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to its credit card processor,
First DataFirst Data Corporation is an American payment processing company headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado. First Data is a provider of electronic commerce and payment solutions, and the company's chief rival is TSYS...
, attempting to withhold significant proceeds from ticket sales. First Data decided that it would withhold 100% of the carrier's proceeds from ticket sales beginning May 1. According to Frontier's press release, "This change in practice would have represented a material change to our cash forecasts and business plan. Unchecked, it would have put severe restraints on Frontier's liquidity..." Its operation continues uninterrupted, though, as Chapter 11 bankruptcy protects the
corporationA corporation is a legal entity separate from the shareholders and employees. In British tradition it is the term designating a body corporate, where it can be either a corporation sole or a corporation aggregate...
's assets and allows restructuring to ensure long-term viability.
On June 22, 2009 Frontier announced that pending court approval, Republic Airways would become corporate parent of Frontier. However, on July 30, 2009, Dallas-based
Southwest AirlinesSouthwest Airlines Co. is an American low-cost airline. Southwest is the largest airline in the world by number of passengers carried per year . Southwest, the 6th largest U.S. airline by revenue, maintains the third-largest passenger fleet of aircraft among all of the world's commercial airlines....
announced that it would be making a bid for Frontier during a bankruptcy auction in August.
On August 13, 2009,
Republic Airways HoldingsRepublic Airways Holdings, Inc. is an aviation holding corporation based in Indianapolis, Indiana, which owns six airlines operating in the United States: Chautauqua Airlines, Midwest Airlines, Republic Airlines, Shuttle America, Frontier Airlines, and Lynx Aviation, the latter two as of August...
acquired Frontier Airlines and
Lynx AviationLynx Aviation, Inc. is a regional airline based in Denver, Colorado, USA. The airline is a subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings and operates feeder service for Frontier Airlines. The Lynx name plays off of the tail pictures of its planes, specifically Larry the Lynx, and the fact that it "links"...
as wholly owned subsidiaries. On October 1, 2009 Republic completed the transaction as Frontier officially exited bankruptcy as a new airline.
History
Frontier Airlines was founded in 1994 by a group that included executives of
a previous incarnation of Frontier AirlinesFrontier Airlines was formed by a merger of Arizona Airways, Challenger Airlines, and Monarch Airlines on June 1, 1950, with headquarters at Stapleton Airport in Denver, Colorado. However, it dated its origin to November 27, 1946 when Monarch began service over routes in Colorado, Utah, New...
. Scheduled flights began in 1994 utilizing
Boeing 737The Boeing 737 is a short to medium range, single aisle, narrow body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has nine variants with the -600, -700, -800 and -900 currently in production.Originally envisioned in...
aircraft. Like the original, Frontier flies out of Denver and competes with
United AirlinesUnited Air Lines, Inc., trading as United Airlines , is a major airline of the United States. It is a subsidiary of UAL Corporation with corporate offices in Chicago at 77 West Wacker Drive in the Chicago Loop. United's largest hub is O'Hare International Airport, where it has more than 550 daily...
and
Southwest AirlinesSouthwest Airlines Co. is an American low-cost airline. Southwest is the largest airline in the world by number of passengers carried per year . Southwest, the 6th largest U.S. airline by revenue, maintains the third-largest passenger fleet of aircraft among all of the world's commercial airlines....
. In the late 1990s, Frontier began purchasing
AirbusAirbus
SAS is an aircraft manufacturing subsidiary of EADS, a European aerospace company. Based in Toulouse, France, and with significant activity across Europe, the company produces around half of the world's jet airliners.Airbus began as a consortium of aerospace manufacturers...
aircraft and offering
DirecTVDirecTV is a direct broadcast satellite service based in El Segundo, California, which transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States. Its primary competitors are Dish Network and cable providers. DirecTV currently has 18 million subscribers...
in-flight television on its new aircraft. Frontier Airlines was the launch customer of the Airbus A318 in 2003. In mid-April 2005, Frontier officially became an all-Airbus fleet, retiring its last 737.
As part of its plan to stay competitive the company underwent a reorganization early in 2006. On April 3, 2006 Frontier created Frontier Airlines Holdings, Inc. (FRNT), a holding company incorporated in
DelawareDelaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The state takes its name from Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, a British nobleman and Virginia's first colonial governor, after whom Cape Henlopen was originally named.Delaware is located in...
to take advantage of favorable tax laws in that state. The corporate headquarters did not leave Colorado.
In November 2006, Frontier Airlines partnered with
AirTran AirwaysAirTran Airways is a Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport based low-cost airline with headquarters in Orlando, Florida, USA. It is a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings. AirTran operates over 750 daily flights, primarily in the eastern and midwestern United States...
, allowing frequent fliers to earn airline miles in its EarlyReturns frequent flyer program, or AirTran's A+ frequent flyer program. In addition, the airlines refer customers to each other when appropriate.
On January 24, 2007, Frontier was designated as a
major carrierMajor carrier or major airline carrier is a designation given by the United States Department of Transportation to U.S.-based airlines that post more than $1 billion in revenue during a fiscal year.As of 2008, the major carriers are the following:...
by the
United States Department of TransportationThe United States Department of Transportation is a federal Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with transportation. It was established by an act of Congress on October 15, 1966 and began operation on April 1, 1967...
.
On April 10, 2008 Frontier Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. While in bankruptcy Frontier will continue to operate.
After months of losses, Frontier Airlines reported that they made their first profit during the month of November 2008. Frontier Airlines reported $2.9 Million in net income during the month of November.
On June 22, 2009, Frontier Airlines announced that pending bankruptcy court approval,
Republic Airways HoldingsRepublic Airways Holdings, Inc. is an aviation holding corporation based in Indianapolis, Indiana, which owns six airlines operating in the United States: Chautauqua Airlines, Midwest Airlines, Republic Airlines, Shuttle America, Frontier Airlines, and Lynx Aviation, the latter two as of August...
, an Indianapolis based Holding company that owns
Chautauqua AirlinesChautauqua Airlines, Inc. is a regional airline and a subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings based in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. Based on April 2008 published flight schedules, it operates scheduled passenger services on more than 680 flights daily to 94 airports in 30 states,...
,
Shuttle AmericaShuttle America Corporation is a regional airline based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. It feeds United Airlines flights at Chicago, Denver, and Washington as United Express, and feeds Delta Air Lines flights at Atlanta and New York as Delta Connection and Delta Shuttle...
,
Republic AirlinesRepublic Airline, Inc., operates as Republic Airlines is a regional airline subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings that operates service as US Airways Express for US Airways and as Midwest Connect for Midwest Airlines, using a fleet of Embraer 170 and Embraer 175 aircraft...
, and
Midwest AirlinesMidwest Airlines is an airline subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings based in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, operating from the city's General Mitchell International Airport...
, would acquire all assets of Frontier Airlines for the amount of $108 million. Thus, Frontier Airlines would become a wholly new airline.
On July 30, 2009,
Southwest AirlinesSouthwest Airlines Co. is an American low-cost airline. Southwest is the largest airline in the world by number of passengers carried per year . Southwest, the 6th largest U.S. airline by revenue, maintains the third-largest passenger fleet of aircraft among all of the world's commercial airlines....
publicly announced a $113.6 million bid for Frontier Airlines, with intent to operate Frontier as a wholly owned subsidiary. Further, according to the web site, it will slowly fold Frontier resources in to current Southwest operating assets. However, on August 13, 2009, Republic Airways won the auction. Upon emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the Fall of 2009, Frontier Airlines and Lynx Aviation will become wholly owned subsidiaries of the Indianapolis based company.
On August 13, 2009,
{{Otheruses4|the company founded in 1994|the earlier (1950 to 1986) company|Frontier Airlines (1950-1986)}}
{{For|the similarly named Alaskan airline|Frontier Flying Service}}
Frontier Airlines, Inc. is a
low-costA low-cost carrier or low-cost airline is an airline that offers generally low fares in exchange for eliminating many traditional passenger services...
airlineAn airline provides air transport services for passengers or freight, generally with a recognized operating certificate or license. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit.Airlines vary...
headquartered in
DenverThe City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the state of Colorado, in the United States. Denver is a consolidated city-county located in the South Platte River Valley on the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
,
ColoradoColorado is a U.S. state located in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States of America. It may also be considered to be part of the Western and Southwestern regions of the United States. Colorado entered statehood in 1876 and was nicknamed the “Centennial State”...
,
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The carrier operates flights throughout the
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
,
MexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, and
Costa RicaCosta Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the east and south, the Pacific Ocean to the west and south and the Caribbean Sea to the east.Costa Rica, which translates literally as "Rich Coast", constitutionally...
. Frontier is a major low-cost airline with two thirds of its US destinations west of the
Mississippi RiverThe Mississippi River is the second longest river in the United States, with a length of from its source in Lake Itasca in Minnesota to its mouth in the Gulf of Mexico....
. The carrier maintains its sole
hubAn airline hub is an airport that an airline uses as a transfer point to get passengers to their intended destination. It is part of a hub and spoke model, where travelers moving between airports not served by direct flights change planes en route to their destinations...
at
Denver International AirportDenver International Airport , often called DIA, is, by land size at , the largest international airport in the United States, and the third largest international airport in the world after King Fahd International Airport and Montreal-Mirabel International Airport...
, and provides regional service to the surrounding
Rocky Mountain StatesThe Mountain States form one of the nine geographic divisions of the United States that are officially recognized by the United States Census Bureau....
through a code-share agreement with
Great Lakes AirlinesGreat Lakes Airlines, is an American regional airline operating domestic scheduled and charter services. Corporate headquarters are located in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with hubs at Denver International Airport, Kansas City International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Lambert-St...
. Frontier is not a member of any of the major air carrier alliances.
In March 2007,
Republic AirlinesRepublic Airline, Inc., operates as Republic Airlines is a regional airline subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings that operates service as US Airways Express for US Airways and as Midwest Connect for Midwest Airlines, using a fleet of Embraer 170 and Embraer 175 aircraft...
slowly began replacing
Horizon AirHorizon Air Industries, Inc. is a regional airline based in SeaTac, Washington, United States. It is the eighth largest regional airline in the USA, serving 52 cities in the United States and Canada....
as the operator of their feeder service, Frontier Airlines operated by Republic Airlines; Frontier JetExpress, which was operated by Horizon Air, ceased operations on November 30, 2007. In April 2008, Frontier and Republic terminated their agreement and Republic withdrew its aircraft from Frontier service on June 23, 2008.
On April 10, 2008, Frontier announced that it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to its credit card processor,
First DataFirst Data Corporation is an American payment processing company headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado. First Data is a provider of electronic commerce and payment solutions, and the company's chief rival is TSYS...
, attempting to withhold significant proceeds from ticket sales. First Data decided that it would withhold 100% of the carrier's proceeds from ticket sales beginning May 1. According to Frontier's press release, "This change in practice would have represented a material change to our cash forecasts and business plan. Unchecked, it would have put severe restraints on Frontier's liquidity..." Its operation continues uninterrupted, though, as Chapter 11 bankruptcy protects the
corporationA corporation is a legal entity separate from the shareholders and employees. In British tradition it is the term designating a body corporate, where it can be either a corporation sole or a corporation aggregate...
's assets and allows restructuring to ensure long-term viability.
On June 22, 2009 Frontier announced that pending court approval, Republic Airways would become corporate parent of Frontier. However, on July 30, 2009, Dallas-based
Southwest AirlinesSouthwest Airlines Co. is an American low-cost airline. Southwest is the largest airline in the world by number of passengers carried per year . Southwest, the 6th largest U.S. airline by revenue, maintains the third-largest passenger fleet of aircraft among all of the world's commercial airlines....
announced that it would be making a bid for Frontier during a bankruptcy auction in August.
On August 13, 2009,
Republic Airways HoldingsRepublic Airways Holdings, Inc. is an aviation holding corporation based in Indianapolis, Indiana, which owns six airlines operating in the United States: Chautauqua Airlines, Midwest Airlines, Republic Airlines, Shuttle America, Frontier Airlines, and Lynx Aviation, the latter two as of August...
acquired Frontier Airlines and
Lynx AviationLynx Aviation, Inc. is a regional airline based in Denver, Colorado, USA. The airline is a subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings and operates feeder service for Frontier Airlines. The Lynx name plays off of the tail pictures of its planes, specifically Larry the Lynx, and the fact that it "links"...
as wholly owned subsidiaries. On October 1, 2009 Republic completed the transaction as Frontier officially exited bankruptcy as a new airline.
History
Frontier Airlines was founded in 1994 by a group that included executives of
a previous incarnation of Frontier AirlinesFrontier Airlines was formed by a merger of Arizona Airways, Challenger Airlines, and Monarch Airlines on June 1, 1950, with headquarters at Stapleton Airport in Denver, Colorado. However, it dated its origin to November 27, 1946 when Monarch began service over routes in Colorado, Utah, New...
. Scheduled flights began in 1994 utilizing
Boeing 737The Boeing 737 is a short to medium range, single aisle, narrow body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has nine variants with the -600, -700, -800 and -900 currently in production.Originally envisioned in...
aircraft. Like the original, Frontier flies out of Denver and competes with
United AirlinesUnited Air Lines, Inc., trading as United Airlines , is a major airline of the United States. It is a subsidiary of UAL Corporation with corporate offices in Chicago at 77 West Wacker Drive in the Chicago Loop. United's largest hub is O'Hare International Airport, where it has more than 550 daily...
and
Southwest AirlinesSouthwest Airlines Co. is an American low-cost airline. Southwest is the largest airline in the world by number of passengers carried per year . Southwest, the 6th largest U.S. airline by revenue, maintains the third-largest passenger fleet of aircraft among all of the world's commercial airlines....
. In the late 1990s, Frontier began purchasing
AirbusAirbus
SAS is an aircraft manufacturing subsidiary of EADS, a European aerospace company. Based in Toulouse, France, and with significant activity across Europe, the company produces around half of the world's jet airliners.Airbus began as a consortium of aerospace manufacturers...
aircraft and offering
DirecTVDirecTV is a direct broadcast satellite service based in El Segundo, California, which transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States. Its primary competitors are Dish Network and cable providers. DirecTV currently has 18 million subscribers...
in-flight television on its new aircraft. Frontier Airlines was the launch customer of the Airbus A318 in 2003. In mid-April 2005, Frontier officially became an all-Airbus fleet, retiring its last 737.
As part of its plan to stay competitive the company underwent a reorganization early in 2006. On April 3, 2006 Frontier created Frontier Airlines Holdings, Inc. (FRNT), a holding company incorporated in
DelawareDelaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The state takes its name from Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, a British nobleman and Virginia's first colonial governor, after whom Cape Henlopen was originally named.Delaware is located in...
to take advantage of favorable tax laws in that state. The corporate headquarters did not leave Colorado.
In November 2006, Frontier Airlines partnered with
AirTran AirwaysAirTran Airways is a Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport based low-cost airline with headquarters in Orlando, Florida, USA. It is a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings. AirTran operates over 750 daily flights, primarily in the eastern and midwestern United States...
, allowing frequent fliers to earn airline miles in its EarlyReturns frequent flyer program, or AirTran's A+ frequent flyer program. In addition, the airlines refer customers to each other when appropriate.
On January 24, 2007, Frontier was designated as a
major carrierMajor carrier or major airline carrier is a designation given by the United States Department of Transportation to U.S.-based airlines that post more than $1 billion in revenue during a fiscal year.As of 2008, the major carriers are the following:...
by the
United States Department of TransportationThe United States Department of Transportation is a federal Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with transportation. It was established by an act of Congress on October 15, 1966 and began operation on April 1, 1967...
.
On April 10, 2008 Frontier Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. While in bankruptcy Frontier will continue to operate.
After months of losses, Frontier Airlines reported that they made their first profit during the month of November 2008. Frontier Airlines reported $2.9 Million in net income during the month of November.
On June 22, 2009, Frontier Airlines announced that pending bankruptcy court approval,
Republic Airways HoldingsRepublic Airways Holdings, Inc. is an aviation holding corporation based in Indianapolis, Indiana, which owns six airlines operating in the United States: Chautauqua Airlines, Midwest Airlines, Republic Airlines, Shuttle America, Frontier Airlines, and Lynx Aviation, the latter two as of August...
, an Indianapolis based Holding company that owns
Chautauqua AirlinesChautauqua Airlines, Inc. is a regional airline and a subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings based in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. Based on April 2008 published flight schedules, it operates scheduled passenger services on more than 680 flights daily to 94 airports in 30 states,...
,
Shuttle AmericaShuttle America Corporation is a regional airline based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. It feeds United Airlines flights at Chicago, Denver, and Washington as United Express, and feeds Delta Air Lines flights at Atlanta and New York as Delta Connection and Delta Shuttle...
,
Republic AirlinesRepublic Airline, Inc., operates as Republic Airlines is a regional airline subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings that operates service as US Airways Express for US Airways and as Midwest Connect for Midwest Airlines, using a fleet of Embraer 170 and Embraer 175 aircraft...
, and
Midwest AirlinesMidwest Airlines is an airline subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings based in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, operating from the city's General Mitchell International Airport...
, would acquire all assets of Frontier Airlines for the amount of $108 million. Thus, Frontier Airlines would become a wholly new airline.
On July 30, 2009,
Southwest AirlinesSouthwest Airlines Co. is an American low-cost airline. Southwest is the largest airline in the world by number of passengers carried per year . Southwest, the 6th largest U.S. airline by revenue, maintains the third-largest passenger fleet of aircraft among all of the world's commercial airlines....
publicly announced a $113.6 million bid for Frontier Airlines, with intent to operate Frontier as a wholly owned subsidiary. Further, according to the web site, it will slowly fold Frontier resources in to current Southwest operating assets. However, on August 13, 2009, Republic Airways won the auction. Upon emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the Fall of 2009, Frontier Airlines and Lynx Aviation will become wholly owned subsidiaries of the Indianapolis based company.
On August 13, 2009, {{Republic Airways Holdings]] was announced as the winning bidder for Frontier Airlines and Lynx Aviation. Both would become a wholly owned subsidiary, joining Chatauqua Airlines,
Shuttle AmericaShuttle America Corporation is a regional airline based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. It feeds United Airlines flights at Chicago, Denver, and Washington as United Express, and feeds Delta Air Lines flights at Atlanta and New York as Delta Connection and Delta Shuttle...
, Republic Airways, and
Midwest AirlinesMidwest Airlines is an airline subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings based in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, operating from the city's General Mitchell International Airport...
.
On October 1, 2009, Frontier Airlines emerged from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy as a wholly owned subsidiary of
Republic Airways HoldingsRepublic Airways Holdings, Inc. is an aviation holding corporation based in Indianapolis, Indiana, which owns six airlines operating in the United States: Chautauqua Airlines, Midwest Airlines, Republic Airlines, Shuttle America, Frontier Airlines, and Lynx Aviation, the latter two as of August...
.
Maintenance awards
Frontier has been awarded the FAA Diamond award for ten years straight, from 1999 through 2009. The Diamond award recognizes carriers whose mechanics and maintenance staff complete additional training and certifications beyond that required for normal FAA certification. In order to receive this award, a minimum of 25 percent of an airline's mechanics and maintenance staff must complete this additional training. Frontier is the only airline to have consecutively received this award for the last seven years, as well as the only airline to ever receive this award with 100% participation from its maintenance staff. Frontier's staff has maintained 100% participation for the last seven consecutive years during which it has earned this award.
Route structure
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2007}}
Unlike some low-cost carriers, Frontier operates a hub and spoke route system, with more than 90% of flights originating or arriving at its Denver hub. While the hub system can move people efficiently, it is also dependent on critical coordination at a single point. Hub-and-spoke systems like Frontier's, however, can simplify passenger connections. Long-distance itineraries between Frontier cities generally require no more than one connection (usually in Denver), whereas a linear carrier may require multiple connections to span a long distance. Hub-and-spoke systems can also simplify maintenance, as all aircraft transit a hub frequently.
The vast majority of Frontier flights operate through its hub in Denver. Frontier's Denver operations utilize the majority of gates on Concourse A; the airline operates out of 29 of Concourse A's 43 gates. Frontier did attempt to establish a focus city at Los Angeles International Airport during 2004, but retreated under heavy competition and the sudden spike in fuel prices at the time. In June 2006, Frontier returned to the California market with five daily nonstop flights between
Los AngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the municipality of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123.445 inhabitants...
and San Francisco, as well as daily non-stop service linking San Francisco to
Las VegasLas Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, fine dining, and entertainment. Las Vegas, which bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, is famous for the number of...
. However, these routes were short-lived and eventually discontinued in July 2007. Internationally, the airline does offer a number of routes to Mexican destinations that do not begin or end at Denver.
Frontier has deferred expansion in the competitive East Coast cities such as
BostonBoston is the capital and largest city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is considered the economic and cultural center of the region and is sometimes regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England"...
and Pittsburgh, but otherwise is expanding outside the US in
MexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. The airline recently dropped seasonal service to
CalgaryCalgary is the largest city in the Province of Alberta, Canada.The Calgary census metropolitan area is the third most diverse in Canada in terms of visible minorities after Toronto and Vancouver when considering only CMAs with population greater than 200,000...
with Frontier JetExpress, Frontier has also dropped seasonal service to Vancouver, BC. The carrier serves three
FloridaFlorida is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the north. It was the 27th state admitted to the United States...
tourist destinations and the business essential cities of
New YorkNew York is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous. The state is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC along the East Coast. The remaining Eastern interior city destinations are in the Midwest along with Atlanta and
NashvilleNashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is the second most populous city in the state after Memphis. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state...
in the South. Contrary to
Southwest AirlinesSouthwest Airlines Co. is an American low-cost airline. Southwest is the largest airline in the world by number of passengers carried per year . Southwest, the 6th largest U.S. airline by revenue, maintains the third-largest passenger fleet of aircraft among all of the world's commercial airlines....
, Frontier uses only one alternative airport in the East with the
Akron-Canton Regional AirportAkron-Canton International Airport is a commercial Class C airport located in the city of Green, in southern Summit County, Ohio roughly southeast of Akron, Ohio, roughly northwest of Canton, Ohio, and roughly south of Cleveland, Ohio...
, which services the Cleveland and Pittsburgh markets.
On May 22, 2007, the airline announced its schedule for service to its fourth country,
Costa RicaCosta Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the east and south, the Pacific Ocean to the west and south and the Caribbean Sea to the east.Costa Rica, which translates literally as "Rich Coast", constitutionally...
. Frontier began operating to San José four times per week from its hub in Denver on November 30, 2007. This marks Frontier's first entry into Central America. Early 2008, frequency was increased to five times per week and will become seasonal, not operating from mid-September until mid-December.
On June 25, 2008, Frontier announced it would be cutting 21 of its daily departures, effective late August. Some routes are eliminated, some are temporarily halted until spring, and some are reduced in frequency.
Lynx Aviation
{{Main|Lynx Aviation (United States)}}
On September 6, 2006, Frontier announced that a new division of the holding company known as Lynx Aviation, would operate 10
Bombardier Q400The Bombardier Dash 8 is a series of twin-engined, medium range, turboprop airliners. Introduced by de Havilland Canada in 1984, they are now produced by Bombardier Aerospace. Since 1996, the aircraft have been known as the Q Series, for "quiet"...
aircraft beginning in May 2007. On December 5, 2007, Lynx Aviation received its operating certificate from the FAA. Lynx began passenger operations on the morning of December 6, 2007.
Since commencing operations, Lynx Aviation has added service to 12 regional destinations: Albuquerque, Aspen, Billings, Bozeman, Colorado Springs, Durango, El Paso (Disc. September 14), Fargo, Grand Junction (Disc. September 14), Jackson Hole (Seasonal), Oklahoma City, Rapid City, Steamboat Springs (Seasonal), Tulsa, and Wichita. Two additional cities, Omaha and Salt Lake City, are served by Lynx Aviation along with Frontier Airlines mainline service.
Frontier JetExpress
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2007}}
In February 2002, the airline launched its first regional product, Frontier JetExpress, initially operated by
Mesa AirlinesMesa Airlines, Inc. is an American regional airline based in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. It is a FAA Part 121 certificated air carrier operating under air carrier certificate number MASA036A issued on June 29, 1979. It is a subsidiary of Mesa Air Group. It was known briefly as Mountain West...
using CRJ-200 regional jets. Similar to "express" operations of other carriers, Frontier JetExpress is targeted for markets to and from Denver that do not generate traffic sufficient to support Frontier's smallest mainline jet, the Airbus A318, but can still offer lucrative business with a smaller jet. The operation's head office was in the Hughes Center in
Clark CountyClark County is a county located in Southern Nevada.The county had a population of 1,375,765 at the 2000 census, and a 2008 estimated population of 1,996,542, making it the most populous county in Nevada. It contains the city of Las Vegas, the state's most populous city. Las Vegas has been the...
,
NevadaNevada is a state located in the western region of the United States. The capital is Carson City and the largest city is Las Vegas. The state's nickname is Silver State, due to the large number of silver deposits that were discovered and mined there...
.
The initial JetExpress partnership with Mesa ended in January 2004, when
Horizon AirHorizon Air Industries, Inc. is a regional airline based in SeaTac, Washington, United States. It is the eighth largest regional airline in the USA, serving 52 cities in the United States and Canada....
was selected to operate the routes. Horizon utilized slightly larger CRJ-700 aircraft on these routes. In August 2006, Frontier and Horizon announced that their partnership would end. While Frontier was generally pleased with Horizon's operation, the carrier decided that it needed to revisit the agreement and find a provider with additional regional jets to grow the operation. The last of the CRJ-700's was returned to the Horizon Air fleet on November 30, 2007.
On January 11, 2007, Frontier Airlines announced it had signed an 11-year service agreement with
Republic AirlinesRepublic Airline, Inc., operates as Republic Airlines is a regional airline subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings that operates service as US Airways Express for US Airways and as Midwest Connect for Midwest Airlines, using a fleet of Embraer 170 and Embraer 175 aircraft...
. Under the agreement, Republic was to operate 17, 76-seat Embraer 170 aircraft for the former Frontier JetExpress operations. At the time the contract was canceled in April 2008, Republic Airlines operated 11 aircraft for Frontier Airlines, with the remaining 6 aircraft expected to join the fleet by December 2008. With the integration of Republic aircraft, the 'JetExpress' denotation was removed. Subsequent to the cessation of Horizon's services for Frontier in December 2007, all flights operated by Republic were sold and marketed as "Frontier Airlines, operated by Republic Airlines." The first market created specifically for the Embraer 170 was Louisville, KY, which began on April 1, 2007; Frontier Airlines has since announced that all service to Louisville will end in August 2008.
Flights operated by Republic Airlines offered in-flight snack and beverage services similar to Frontier's mainline flights. Unlike Frontier's aircraft and due to the nature of contracting with regional carriers, these aircraft were not fitted with
LiveTVLiveTV is a major provider of airline in-flight entertainment systems. Originally a subsidiary of Thales Group, it is now a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue Airways Corporation....
.
Destinations
{{Main|Frontier Airlines destinations}}
Frontier Airlines currently flies to 56 destinations throughout,
Costa RicaCosta Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the east and south, the Pacific Ocean to the west and south and the Caribbean Sea to the east.Costa Rica, which translates literally as "Rich Coast", constitutionally...
,
MexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, and the
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It will then increase to 57 when Frontier begins flying back to Fort Meyers, Florida on November 21, 2009.
Mexico service
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2007}}
Prior to 2008, Frontier Airlines offered extensive service to Mexican resort cities. Even with the airline's recent discontinuation of several routes to/from Mexico, Frontier still maintains a substantial presence in
MexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. From Denver, Frontier flies to
Cabo San LucasCabo San Lucas is a city at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula at , in the municipality of Los Cabos in the state of Baja California Sur, Mexico. As of the 2005 census, the population was 56,811 people...
,
CancúnCancún is a coastal city in Mexico's easternmost state, Quintana Roo, on the Yucatán Peninsula. Cancún is located on the Yucatan Channel that separates Mexico from the island of Cuba in the Greater Antilles....
,
CozumelCozumel is an island in the Caribbean Sea off the eastern coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, opposite the Playa del Carmen, and close to the Yucatan Channel. It is one of the nine municipalities of the state of Quintana Roo...
,
MazatlánMazatlán is a city in the Mexican state of Sinaloa; the surrounding municipio for which the city serves as the municipal seat is also called Mazatlán. It is located at on the Pacific coast, just across from the southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula.Mazatlán is a Nahuatl word meaning...
, and
Puerto VallartaPuerto Vallarta is a Mexican resort city situated on the Pacific Ocean's Bahía de Banderas.The 2005 census reported Puerto Vallarta's population as 177,830 making it the fifth-largest city in the state of Jalisco...
.
At one time, Frontier maintained two focus cities in Mexico; one at Cabo San Lucas'
Los Cabos International AirportLos Cabos International Airport is the sixth most important airport in Mexico, located at San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. The airport serves Los Cabos area: San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. This airport has three terminals with 4 concourses...
, and the other at Cancún's
Cancún International AirportCancún International Airport is located in Cancún, Quintana Roo, on the Caribbean coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. It is Mexico's second busiest airport, after Mexico City International Airport in Mexico City....
. Currently, Frontier offers nonstop service from
CUNCun may refer to:* Cun , a traditional Chinese unit of measure* Villages of China * Cún, a village in HungaryCUN may refer to:* Cancún International Airport, IATA code: CUN...
-
SLCSLC may refer to, among other things:* Salt Lake City, Utah**Salt Lake City International Airport, IATA Airport Code**SLC Punk!, a film set in Salt Lake City* Salt Lake County, Utah* Sounds Like Chicken, a music group* South Lanarkshire Council...
,
CUNCun may refer to:* Cun , a traditional Chinese unit of measure* Villages of China * Cún, a village in HungaryCUN may refer to:* Cancún International Airport, IATA code: CUN...
-
MCIMCI may refer to:* 1101, as Roman numerals*mCi, millicurie, 1/1000 of a curie, a non-SI unit of radioactivity, 1 mCi = 3.7×107 decays per second or becquerels....
, and
PVRPVR may refer to:* Personal video recorder, also known as a digital video recorder* Plant Variety Rights, a patented cultivar* CD155, the Poliovirus Receptor that facilitates poliovirus infection...
-
MCIMCI may refer to:* 1101, as Roman numerals*mCi, millicurie, 1/1000 of a curie, a non-SI unit of radioactivity, 1 mCi = 3.7×107 decays per second or becquerels....
, in addition to the airline's
DenverThe City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the state of Colorado, in the United States. Denver is a consolidated city-county located in the South Platte River Valley on the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
hub. In December 2009, Frontier will increase service out of Cancún with new non-stop flights to
IndianapolisIndianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. The United States Census estimated the city's population, excluding the included towns, at 798,382 in 2008...
and
St. LouisSt. Louis is an independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. With an estimated population of 354,361 in 2008, it is the principal municipality of Greater St. Louis, population 2,866,517, the largest urban area in Missouri and sixteenth largest in the United States...
. In cooperation with Apple Vacations, Frontier offers non-stop, weekend-only charter service between Chicago's Midway Airport and Cancún, and Saturday-only service between Denver and Huatulco, Mexico. In cooperation with MLT Worry Free Vacations, Frontier also offers non-stop twice weekly scheduled charter service between both Dallas/Ft Worth and Denver to Cancún.
At its peak, Frontier served 21 routes between 12 U.S. gateways and 8 destinations in Mexico (excluding Charters). The expansion included routes from California, Indiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin to Mexico.
By the end of 2009, Frontier will operate 10 routes between 5 U.S. gateways and 5 destinations in Mexico (excluding Charters).
Codeshare agreements
Frontier Airlines has a codeshare agreement with the following airlines:
- Great Lakes Airlines
Great Lakes Airlines, is an American regional airline operating domestic scheduled and charter services. Corporate headquarters are located in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with hubs at Denver International Airport, Kansas City International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Lambert-St...
: Connecting flights through Denver International AirportDenver International Airport , often called DIA, is, by land size at , the largest international airport in the United States, and the third largest international airport in the world after King Fahd International Airport and Montreal-Mirabel International Airport...
and Phoenix Sky Harbor International AirportPhoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is located in the city of Phoenix and is the largest and busiest airport in the state of Arizona.-Overview:...
to 39 cities in 10 states.
- Midwest Airlines
Midwest Airlines is an airline subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings based in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, operating from the city's General Mitchell International Airport...
: Flights in select markets to/from Milwaukee. Codeshare began on September 8, 2009.
Fleet
As of September 2009, the Frontier Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft:
Frontier Airlines Fleet
| Aircraft |
Total |
Passengers |
Notes |
| Airbus A318-111 |
9 |
120 |
Launch customer
In July 2003, Frontier became the first airline to operate the Airbus A318. |
| Airbus A319-100 |
38 |
136 |
5 Aircraft Joining Midwest AirlinesMidwest Airlines is an airline subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings based in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, operating from the city's General Mitchell International Airport...
Fleet On November 19, 2009, will be operated by Frontier crews. |
| Airbus A320-214 |
4
(7 orders) |
162 |
|
| Embraer E-190AR |
5 |
100 |
Operated By: Republic AirlinesRepublic Airways Holdings, Inc. is an aviation holding corporation based in Indianapolis, Indiana, which owns six airlines operating in the United States: Chautauqua Airlines, Midwest Airlines, Republic Airlines, Shuttle America, Frontier Airlines, and Lynx Aviation, the latter two as of August...
Begins: November 19, 2009
Aircraft Will Operate To: ATL, BOI, CAK, DAY, LAS, LAX, MKE, OMA, SAN, SEA. |
Bombardier Dash 8 Q400The Bombardier Dash 8 is a series of twin-engined, medium range, turboprop airliners. Introduced by de Havilland Canada in 1984, they are now produced by Bombardier Aerospace. Since 1996, the aircraft have been known as the Q Series, for "quiet"...
|
11 |
74 |
Operated by: Lynx Aviation Lynx Aviation, Inc. is a regional airline based in Denver, Colorado, USA. The airline is a subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings and operates feeder service for Frontier Airlines. The Lynx name plays off of the tail pictures of its planes, specifically Larry the Lynx, and the fact that it "links"...
|
As of August 2009, Frontier's average fleet age was 5.0 years.
Livery
The Frontier Airlines livery consists of an all-white fuselage with silver billboard-style "Frontier" titles on the sides of the aircraft. Frontier uses wildlife photography on the vertical stabilizers and winglets of the aircraft to produce a distinctive look, touted in their advertisements along with their slogan: "A Whole Different Animal".
The concepts used in the livery extend into Frontier’s marketing as well. Animal aircraft used in their radio and television commercials include Jack the rabbit, Grizwald the bear, Foxy the fox (for whom Jack has a crush), Flip the dolphin (who always gets stuck going to Chicago rather than the warmer climates the others are going to), Larry the lynx, Hector the sea otter, and Sal the cougar. New additions are Penguins Jim, Joe, Jay, and Gary, a barbershop-style quartet, singing the praises of EarlyReturns to an audience of Frontier’s well-known characters from the "a whole different animal" campaign, and Hector the otter, advertising Frontier's expanded service to Mexico.
Tail art and names
Each animal on the tail of a Frontier Airlines Airbus and Lynx Aviation Q400 has a name, the most famous being "Larry the Lynx," "Grizwald the Bear," "Jack the Rabbit", "Flip the Dolphin", "Hector the Sea Otter", and "Jim, Joe, Jay, and Gary the Penguins" for being heavily featured in Frontier advertising. When Frontier was promoting its then-new Mexico service, the airline launched its "Send Flip to Mexico" campaign, and Frontier's "Denver's Favorite Animal" campaign continues to shine attention upon their popular tails.
The names of all the tails are:
Cabin
Frontier offers a single class of service. While Frontier does market itself as a low-cost carrier, it differentiates itself in the market by offering
LiveTVLiveTV is a major provider of airline in-flight entertainment systems. Originally a subsidiary of Thales Group, it is now a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue Airways Corporation....
, an in-seat satellite television service, available for a fee on all domestic flights, with in-seat movies also available for purchase. LiveTV service is complimentary on all international flights south of the U.S. border, as well as on all flights to/from Anchorage, Alaska (ANC). With the addition of aircraft to the fleet in June 2007, Frontier has begun a transition to incorporate an all-leather seat interior and the addition of more seats to each aircraft.
With the launch of AirFairs in December 2008, passengers can choose among a basic "economy" fare, a "classic" fare that includes complimentary checked bags and in-flight television, and a "classic plus" fare that is fully refundable and offers free flight changes.
Economy: The economy fare targets passengers who don't need to check bags and don't expect to change their flight. Amenities available for purchase include: snacks, checked bags and in-flight television. Seat assignments are made at check-in up to 24 hours prior to departure.
Classic: The classic fare most closely represents Frontier's traditional level of cabin service. Purchasers of this fare get advanced seat assignments, two complimentary checked bags and free DirectTV. EarlyReturns miles are credited at 125 percent. Itinerary changes are less expensive than for Economy fares.
Classic plus: Fares in this category are fully refundable, and flight changes, even on the same day, don't carry an extra fee. Besides the freebies included with the classic fare, passengers receive priority boarding, an in-flight snack and a premium beverage. EarlyReturns miles are credited at 150 percent.
Beginning April 28, 2008, Frontier began offering the Grizwald's Gourmet Cafe
buy on boardIn commercial flight, buy on board is a system where food and/or beverages are paid for on board; often food and/or beverages are not included in the ticket price for certain fare classes....
service. This service provides passengers with a variety of snack options available for purchase on board. They include offerings from Mountain Man Fruit and Nut Company and Udi's Handcrafted Foods. Fresh Sandwiches and Salads from Udi's are also available on select Airbus Flights.
Frontier was one of the first carriers to offer a virtual "mall" or the Frontier More Store, allowing elite Ascent or Summit frequent-flyers to spend accrued miles on merchandise and unique services.{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}} As of May 30, 2008, Frontier Airlines discontinued the "More Store" due to the filing of Chapter 11 protection on April 10, 2008
EarlyReturns
EarlyReturns is Frontier Airlines frequent flier program. Early Returns and
AirTranAirTran Airways is a Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport based low-cost airline with headquarters in Orlando, Florida, USA. It is a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings. AirTran operates over 750 daily flights, primarily in the eastern and midwestern United States...
's A+ Rewards program have reciprocal earning. It is a mileage-based program that contains three levels. Upon enrolling, members start at the first level, Base, and accrue miles commensurate with actual air miles traveled on Frontier or partner airline AirTran. Once a member accumulates 15,000 miles in a calendar year, they reach the Ascent level and receive free
DIRECTVDirecTV is a direct broadcast satellite service based in El Segundo, California, which transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States. Its primary competitors are Dish Network and cable providers. DirecTV currently has 18 million subscribers...
service, priority boarding and ticketing, priority seat assignments, a 25% mileage bonus in addition to miles accrued, and other perks. The third level, Summit, is awarded for the accrual of 25,000 miles in a calendar year and adds a 50% mileage bonus in addition to miles accrued on each flight. Besides receiving the same benefits as Ascent members, Summit members also receive complimentary alcoholic beverages. Free round trip tickets between all destinations in the contiguous U.S. as well as between the U.S. and Canada require 20,000 miles, and round trip award tickets to and from Anchorage, Alaska and all Mexican destinations require 30,000 miles, Costa Rica requires 40,000 miles.
External links
{{commons|Frontier Airlines}}
{{Airlines of the United States}}