Frontier Airlines breathes new life into Seattle's Paine Field with 3 new routes
Frontier Airlines is adding a new pin for a somewhat surprising destination to its route map.
The Denver-based carrier is taking its talents to Seattle's "other" airport, adding flights to Seattle Paine Field International Airport (PAE).
Frontier announced on Tuesday that it'll start flying to Denver International Airport (DEN), Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) from PAE on June 2. The airline will offer three weekly flights on each route, with introductory one-way fares starting at just $29.
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For Frontier, the new Paine Field service complements its existing presence at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), from where it flies to seven destinations. That includes the same three airports it'll add from PAE, as well as Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Ontario International Airport (ONT) in California.
Located in Everett, Washington, Paine Field resumed commercial flight operations in March 2019 and was intended to serve as an alternative for people living north of downtown Seattle. Historically, Paine Field had been closed to commercial traffic for decades.
Until 2019, residents in Snohomish County and the surrounding areas previously had to drive nearly 40 miles south to SEA to fly out of the region.
Since it reopened, Alaska Airlines and United Airlines have flown to Paine Field. United pulled out of the airport during the coronavirus pandemic, leaving it served exclusively by Alaska, the region's hometown carrier.
Alaska's PAE service has also had its ups and downs, with the carrier recently cutting one of its newest routes from the airport due to weak demand.
But with the new Frontier service, Paine Field is getting a new airline, something that has been on the airport's agenda for years.
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“This new service further validates Seattle Paine Field as the region’s 'second' airport, Brett Smith, CEO of Propeller Airports (the company that manages the Paine Field passenger terminal), said in a statement. "Frontier enhances our nationwide connectivity and provides customers throughout the region with additional options, while reducing congestion at our sister airport Seattle-Tacoma International. I know this is welcome news for our passengers."
In recent months, Frontier has been busy redeploying its animal-tailed aircraft to some of the nation's busiest airports with high operating costs, including New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
The ultra-low-cost carrier has been chasing all the demand it can find, so it's interesting to see Paine Field become Frontier's latest addition to its route map. That's especially true since Alaska already flies from PAE to LAS and PHX. (United used to fly from PAE to DEN before it pulled out of the airport.)
Clearly, Frontier sees an opportunity at Paine Field; hopefully, Frontier's service will last longer than United's did.
In other news, Frontier will also add a new twice-weekly route from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, on June 19.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.