New York’s lesser-known airport suffers a big blow from Frontier Airlines
Despite $220 million in improvements over the years, New York's Stewart International Airport (SWF) is about to lose one of its three airlines.
Frontier Airlines filed plans over the weekend to drop service to SWF on July 2, as first seen in Cirium schedules and later confirmed by a carrier spokesperson.
The Denver-based discounter has had a rocky history with service to Stewart, which is roughly 70 miles northwest of Manhattan. Frontier originally entered the market in October 2021 with flights to Miami, Orlando and Tampa. It later expanded its route portfolio to include Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.
However, the airline has been quietly paring back service on a route-by-route basis over the past few months, leaving just Orlando left as of April 2023. Now, the airline is calling it quits on the market, closing its station there entirely.
"We periodically review and update our routes based on demand, seasonality, and other factors. We value our partnership with New York Stewart International Airport and will continue to evaluate a potential return at some point in the future," airline spokesperson Jennifer de la Cruz shared in a statement.
Locals looking for Frontier flights will now need to trek to LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) or Bradley International Airport (BDL) to fly with the airline.
As Frontier looks to cut unprofitable routes, the big losers are SWF; the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which manages and oversees the airport; and local politicians who've tried to prop the airport up in recent years.
Stewart isn't one of the "Big 3" New York City-area airports most popular with the region's travelers — that title goes to LGA, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). However, it has served as a lower-cost, more manageable alternative over the years.
Despite offering conveniently timed bus service to Manhattan, SWF hasn't really taken off as a replacement for LGA, JFK or EWR. The Port Authority has tried to increase the airport's relevance, but it continues to be most popular with locals living nearby who would prefer avoiding the larger gateways closer to New York City.
Since the Port Authority acquired the airport in November 2007, it has invested more than $220 million in facility improvements. This includes a recently completed $37 million terminal expansion that saw the opening of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection station to support new air service and accommodate additional international travelers.
The new federal inspection station added 20,000 square feet of space to the existing terminal, allowing CBP to efficiently screen up to 400 international passengers per hour.
While the Port Authority thought that this would increase the facility's appeal to international airlines, Stewart's only international service is a daily nonstop to Reykjavik on Play Airlines, the ultra-low-cost budget carrier largely reminiscent of Wow Air, which collapsed in March 2019.
Allegiant Air will become the airport's sole domestic carrier once Frontier drops the market. Allegiant flies to Florida destinations Orlando/Sanford, Punta Gorda and St. Petersburg-Clearwater; it also flies to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, from Stewart.
In a statement shared with TPG, Charles Everett, aviation director for the Port Authority said that "through the Port Authority's five-point strategic plan for SWF, which includes a new air carrier incentive program and a marketing campaign, we are encouraged by ongoing conversations with prospective air carriers and look forward to welcoming new service on Atlantic Airwaysthis summer. This month, the Port Authority is submitting a Small Community Air Service Development Grant Proposal to USDOT to secure funds to support launching new service between SWF and high-demand markets like Chicago, Charlotte and Washington, D.C. as part of our continued air service development efforts."
Interestingly, New York's hometown carrier JetBlue Airways used to fly to Stewart. However, it pulled out of the airport at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic in April 2020, and it has no plans to return in the immediate future.
That said, it's not all bad news for Stewart. Atlantic Airways, the national carrier of the Faroe Islands, recently unveiled its first-ever route to the U.S., which will operate once weekly to Stewart from Vagar Airport (FAE) beginning on Aug. 22.
Related reading:
- When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
- The 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
- What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.