Frontier Airlines adds 3 new San Diego routes, makes push against bigger rivals
Frontier Airlines will add three new flights to and from San Diego International Airport (SAN) this summer, bolstering its presence in Southern California.
Starting June 12, the budget carrier will fly between SAN and Chicago's O’Hare International Airport (ORD) daily. The next day, Frontier will begin operating four flights each week between SAN and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), as well as three flights per week from SAN to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC).
The new flights bring Frontier's total number of routes from San Diego up to eight. The airline currently operates service from SAN to Denver International Airport (DEN), Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
Airline battle: Frontier tries to poach Southwest flyers with free-bag deal
"We are thrilled to announce these three additional routes as we continue to grow our presence in San Diego," Josh Flyr, Frontier's network lead, said in a statement.
While Frontier clearly believes there's plenty of demand between the city pairs, it's not alone; the carrier will face steep competition on each of the routes.
For instance, there are already 220 flights in each direction between SAN and SLC for June, according to data from Cirium; the flights are operated by Alaska Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines and, most prolifically on the route, Delta Air Lines, which accounts for 146 of those flights. Meanwhile, there are about 270 flights in each direction between SAN and ORD, flown by American Airlines and United Airlines.
Still, Frontier often takes a strategy similar to fellow ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit, offering a stripped-down, bare-bones product at a low price while competing directly against legacy carriers. This differs from other airlines like Breeze Airways that prefer to avoid direct competition by operating between city pairs with no existing nonstop service.
However, the strategy of competing with no-frills and low fares has been hit hard in recent years, as the legacy airlines have introduced and fine-tuned their own basic economy options. In response, budget carriers, including Frontier, have taken a page out of the legacies' book, offering more options and services.
For instance Frontier allows passengers to pay to block middle seats in their rows, giving them more space, along with extra legroom. The airline also recently announced that it will begin offering first-class seats later this year. Spirit — which Frontier has expressed interest in acquiring — is shaking up its offering with new segmented fares and cabins.
Time will tell whether the new routes work for Frontier, though we likely won't have to wait very long: Frontier is famous for pulling new routes almost as quickly as it launches them, preferring to read initial market signs and cut its losses instead of taking time to see if a new market can develop.
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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.