Skip to content

Frontier to launch 8 new routes this summer, bolstering DFW presence

April 04, 2024
4 min read
Frontier To Buy Discounter Spirit Airlines For $2.9 Billion
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Frontier Airlines is doubling down on its strategy shift in 2024 with another round of route announcements.

The Denver-based ultra-low-cost carrier unveiled eight new routes Thursday, which will launch this summer.

In keeping with the tune of its recent approach, nearly all of the new flights will touch an airport that is among the largest in the U.S. — and, in many cases, is a major hub of one of the "Big Three" legacy carriers (American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines).

Most of the new routes launch in June, with some taking to the air in July.

Frontier's 8 new routes

Here's the full rundown of Frontier's new routes announced Thursday.

RouteLaunchesFrequency
Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) - Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
June 6
Three round trips weekly
Denver International Airport (DEN) - Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV)
June 13
Three round trips weekly
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) - Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
June 13
Four round trips weekly
DFW - St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
June 14
Three round trips weekly
DFW - Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
June 14
Four round trips weekly
Ontario International Airport (ONT) - SMF
July 11
Daily
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) - Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
June 14
Three round trips weekly
Norfolk International Airport (ORF) - PHL
June 5
Three round trips weekly

Of these route announcements, three are technically resumptions. Frontier flew a limited amount of service between Denver and Savannah in 2021 and more frequently before the COVID-19 pandemic.

It flew between Ontario, California, and Sacramento as recently as 2022.

Frontier offered service from Chicago to Salt Lake City briefly in 2021 and also in 2017 and prior.

Dallas-Fort Worth growth

Frontier will add three new destinations out of DFW, where it has placed a lot of focus in 2024 as part of its network shakeup.

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

Adding to an already highly bolstered schedule at American's home base, Frontier will compete with American on new nonstop routes to St. Louis, Seattle and Sacramento.

Even prior to Thursday's announcement, the budget carrier was poised for significant growth at DFW. It already had plans to grow its schedule capacity by 69% in June, July and August versus last year, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.

For a visual comparison, check out what Frontier's route map out of DFW looked like in June 2023.

CIRIUM

Here's what it will look like this June.

CIRIUM

Other head-to-head competition with major carriers

Of Frontier's five other routes announced Thursday, four will also touch a major hub of American, Delta or United; this includes new service from PHL (American), ORD (United and American), DEN (United) and SLC (Delta).

In recent months, the carrier has scaled up in numerous large cities in an effort to escape plummeting fares in prime leisure destinations — most notably Orlando.

Frontier executives have spoken publicly about wanting to capture more leisure travelers flying to visit friends and relatives as part of a push for profitability.

On top of its DFW growth, Frontier was already set to grow its scheduled seats departing ORD by 164% this summer (prior to this new route announcement) and by 44% out of PHL, according to Cirium data.

At the same time, its scheduled seats are scheduled to drop by 19% out of Orlando International Airport (MCO), by 12% out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and by 23% out of Cancun International Airport (CUN).

Related reading:

Featured image by MICHAEL CIAGLO/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

TPG featured card

Rewards rate
5X milesEarn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2X milesEarn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
Enjoy a $250 travel credit & earn 75K bonus miles
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
19.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
670-850Excellent, Good

Pros

  • Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
  • You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
  • Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners

Cons

  • Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
  • LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Top rated mobile app