Frontier Airlines is expanding its route network and exploring inflight Wi‑Fi, the Denver-based low-cost carrier announced Thursday. The airline plans a four-route expansion serving six U.S. cities, with three new routes and one returning service, timed for the winter travel season.
New and returning routes
– Newark Liberty International (EWR) to Orlando International (MCO): launches Jan. 21, three times weekly.
– Salt Lake City International (SLC) to Tucson International (TUS): launches Jan. 22, twice weekly.
– Orlando International (MCO) to Pensacola International (PNS): launches Feb. 13, twice weekly.
– Miami International (MIA) to O’Hare International (ORD): returning service beginning Feb. 13, three times weekly. Frontier last served MIA–ORD in 2022, per Cirium schedule data. The MIA–ORD reinstatement may draw attention from larger carriers, including American Airlines and United, since it links major hubs.
Inflight Wi‑Fi plans
Frontier has long operated without onboard internet, maintaining a no‑frills approach even as competitors added connectivity. That stance appears to be changing. CEO Barry Biffle responded to a social media comment about inflight Wi‑Fi by saying, “it’s coming.” A Frontier spokesperson told the media the airline hopes to select a Wi‑Fi partner within the next year and that competition among potential vendors is heating up.
Adding Wi‑Fi would align Frontier with broader industry trends: each of the six largest U.S. carriers has announced plans to offer free or widely available inflight connectivity. The upgrade would represent a notable shift for Frontier, which has also announced plans to introduce first‑class seating on some aircraft — another move away from its historically ultra‑basic model.
Timing and outlook
Frontier’s new routes begin between Jan. 21 and Feb. 13, expanding winter service to popular warm‑weather destinations and restoring a key business market between Miami and Chicago. If Frontier finalizes a Wi‑Fi provider within a year, passengers could see connectivity rollouts in the coming months to a few years, depending on vendor selection and installation timelines.
The carrier frames the changes as part of broader efforts to evolve its product while remaining a low‑cost option, balancing added amenities with competitive fares.
