Frontier Airlines will block some middle seats with new 'UpFront Plus' option

Frontier Airlines is adding a new seating option at the front of the aircraft. Its big selling point: an empty middle seat.

On Tuesday, the Denver-based ultra-low-cost carrier unveiled its new "UpFront Plus" class of seats, which it bills as a "new, upgraded seating option with extra space and comfort."

Situated in the first two rows of Frontier's aircraft, this new seating class won't require any retrofits. The airline will use its existing extra legroom seats but block the middle seat in the first two rows, providing passengers with a bit more space.

UpFront Plus seats are now available through Frontier's booking channels beginning with flights departing April 10.

"UpFront Plus is a great option for those who want expanded personal space and extra comfort," Frontier CEO Barry Biffle said in a statement.

UpFront Plus seating

With this new seating option, Frontier will technically have four seating choices for customers on its flights.

• Standard
• Preferred (standard seats but closer to the front of the plane)
• Premium (extra legroom)
• UpFront Plus (extra legroom with a blocked middle seat)

As a budget airline, you generally have to pay for all seat selections on Frontier. You can pay for seat selection — including UpFront Plus seats — a la carte or as part of a bundle with other ancillary items like baggage and early boarding.

How much do Frontier UpFront Plus seats cost?

From the outset, Frontier will be discounting its new seating option.

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

Email address

Sign up

By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Between April 10 and 30, UpFront Plus seats will cost $49 per person, per segment if booked by March 20.

Beyond that deal, the price goes up quite sharply.

Keep in mind, Frontier's seat prices are dynamic, so how much you pay will all depend on the flight.

For example, a June flight from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Tampa International Airport (TPA) that has a base fare of $158 is offering Standard seats starting at $24, extra legroom Premium seats starting at $86 and UpFront Plus seats starting at $146.

As you can see on the seat map, your only options in rows one and two are the window or aisle seats.

Bottom line

Frontier's move to block the middle seat in the first two rows to give travelers seated there a bit more comfort comes at a time of change for the carrier. Recent months have seen the airline shift its route network pretty dramatically in search of more profitable flying.

The airline has also made a clear effort to woo more business travelers with a new program, which Biffle noted when announcing the new empty-middle-seat option.

"UpFront Plus seating will also provide an affordable upgrade option for those traveling on business seeking additional space," Biffle said.

Related reading:

• The best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare
• Best airline credit cards
• What exactly are airline miles, anyway?
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status