Frontier Airlines Takes Aim at Spirit Routes

Oh, the tale of ultra low-cost carriers in the United States – it’s pretty much a rollercoaster ride with fewer safety checks. The industry’s been going through a rough patch lately, with rising labor costs and consumers becoming, well, a little choosier. These airlines are constantly shuffling their route networks, trying to inch closer to profit, or at least not lose their shirts entirely.

Usually, I don’t delve into the seasonal escapades of these ultra low-cost carriers. But Frontier Airlines just waved a flashy new flyer, making some eyebrow-raising route announcements. Since the airline game resembles a drama series more and more, let’s dive in.

Frontier Airlines Adds Intriguing New Routes

Frontier’s CEO Barry Biffle had a somewhat boisterous revelation: they’re rolling out 20 new routes starting in late 2025 or early 2026. The man himself says:

“Frontier is not just about delivering low fares – we’ve made major enhancements, from product upgrades to the most rewarding loyalty program, and investments in technology and service, as part of The New Frontier. That’s why Frontier is America’s Low Fare Airline, delivering the best value every day – and we see a clear path to being the number one low-fare carrier in the top 20 U.S. metros. As industry capacity adjusts, we want to ensure consumers in those markets continue to have affordable flight options.”

Grab your maps, folks, because here’s where you can catch a Frontier flight soon:

• Baltimore (BWI) to Cancun (CUN) – weekly starting November 22, 2025
• Baltimore (BWI) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) – thrice a week from November 20, 2025
• Baltimore (BWI) to Houston (IAH) – thrice a week from November 20, 2025
• Baltimore (BWI) to New Orleans (MSY) – twice a week starting February 12, 2026
• Charlotte (CLT) to Detroit (DTW) – twice a week from November 23, 2025
• Charlotte (CLT) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) – thrice a week from November 21, 2025
• Dallas (DFW) to New Orleans (MSY) – twice a week from February 13, 2026
• Detroit (DTW) to Cancun (CUN) – weekly starting November 22, 2025
• Detroit (DTW) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) – thrice a week from November 20, 2025
• Detroit (DTW) to Houston (IAH) – thrice a week from November 21, 2025
• Detroit (DTW) to Miami (MIA) – thrice a week from November 21, 2025
• Detroit (DTW) to New Orleans (MSY) – twice a week starting February 12, 2025
• Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Chicago (ORD) – thrice a week from November 20, 2025
• Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Houston (IAH) – weekly starting November 22, 2025
• Houston (IAH) to Guatemala City (GUA) – thrice a week from December 18, 2025
• Houston (IAH) to New Orleans (MSY) – twice a week from February 13, 2025
• Houston (IAH) to Philadelphia (PHL) – thrice a week from November 21, 2025
• Houston (IAH) to San Salvador (SAL) – thrice a week from December 19, 2025
• Houston (IAH) to San Pedro Sula (SAP) – weekly starting December 20, 2025

Now, we’ll ponder why Frontier thinks sprinkling a handful of flights over places like Houston to Fort Lauderdale will build market share? Isn’t owning a piece of a pie more meaningful with a bigger slice?

An Assault on Spirit Airlines?

Here’s where things get a bit spicy. Take a look at the main areas Frontier’s targeting: Baltimore, Detroit, and Houston. Coincidence? I think not. These hubs are Spirit Airlines’ stomping grounds, and nearly every new Frontier route intersects with a Spirit one. What’s up with that?

Remember, Spirit’s been hinting at some major roadblocks recently. They’ve barely dusted off the woes of Chapter 11 bankruptcy and are now flashing a financial distress signal, raising serious doubts about their next 12 months.

There’s rumor afoot, whispered by lessors, suggesting they’re eyeing a replacement for Spirit if the light goes out, as planes leased to Spirit could soon be up for grabs.

And so, with the new routes launching in late 2025 and early 2026, is Frontier simply strategizing like a chess player eyeing his opponent’s potential demise? More importantly, if the worst happened for Spirit, where would that leave Frontier? Sure, a Spirit collapse would clear Frontier’s runway, but can they truly stand tall without more robust loyalty revenue or are they just shuffling seats on an ever-wobbling plane? Speaking of wandering, if you need a break from airports, try unwinding at Val Seny ski resort.

Bottom Line

Frontier is gearing up to unleash 20 shiny new routes come late 2025. But what’s truly captivating is their mirror image to Spirit Airlines’ existing offerings, coming at a time when Spirit’s got existential worries.

Frontier’s CEO hasn’t been shy about wanting to edge out Spirit in this epic low-cost showdown. But how much gold is buried in those weekly flights between Houston and Fort Lauderdale?

So, what are your thoughts on Frontier’s bold new moves?