For years, Frontier Airlines has built its reputation on tight, all-coach cabins and low base fares. That image is about to change. The Denver-based carrier has opened bookings for a front cabin on its planes, starting with flights on March 5, and it has already begun installing the seats on its Airbus aircraft ([1]).
Tickets go on sale ahead of a March debut
Frontier opened sales on Tuesday for its first-class product, which will occupy the first two rows of its planes. The airline is a budget carrier, so the move represents a significant departure from the way it has presented itself to travelers for years.
Some passengers may see the seats before their first booked flight. Installation has already started, and the airline expects every plane to be retrofitted by March.
Frontier also released its first close look at the cabin. The sleek black seats carry a green Frontier emblem on the headrest and sit in a two-by-two layout. They look much like the domestic first-class recliners on major U.S. carriers, with one notable difference: they do not recline. The airline describes them as “ergonomically reclined” instead.
Pricing is meant to stay competitive
Frontier has long competed with larger airlines by keeping fares low, and its executives say the same approach will apply to the front of the plane. Chief commercial officer Bobby Schroeter told reporters ahead of the announcement that the value would be there, adding that the company plans to offer strong prices for the new seats.
Launch pricing is already set. One-way bundles that include a first-class seat cost $129, while one-way “premium” bundles at $90 come with an extra legroom seat.
Key details at launch
- First-class bookings opened for flights beginning March 5
- First two rows on every plane will feature the new seats
- One-way first-class bundles start at $129
- Frontier expects all planes to be retrofitted by March
Loyalty members gain true upgrades
The new cabin also gives Frontier Miles members a clearer reason to reach elite status. Elite members can receive upgrades at no charge, though seats are assigned on a space-available basis. The window for each tier opens at a different point before departure:
- Silver: up to four hours before departure
- Gold: up to eight hours before departure
- Platinum: up to 18 hours before departure
- Diamond: up to 24 hours before departure
The airline is also reworking its extra legroom section. Rows 3 through 8 will offer extra legroom seats, and at least one of those rows on each flight will carry the “UpFront Plus” product, which guarantees an empty middle seat. Frontier is adding USB-C ports to the first eight rows as well. Right now, its planes have no power outlets at all.
Wi-Fi is coming in 2027, but its cost is unclear
Frontier plans to begin installing Starlink internet service early next year. Its aircraft currently offer no inflight internet, so the change would be a major step. Schroeter put it bluntly, saying the airline is “going from nothing” to “the fastest wifi in the sky.”
Whether the service will be free remains unanswered. Complimentary onboard internet has become common across the industry, but Frontier has historically charged extra for most services beyond the base fare. Executives have not said whether passengers will pay to connect.
Frontier is not alone in its move upmarket. JetBlue plans to launch its domestic first-class product soon, and Allegiant Air will begin rolling out new seats in 2027. If many more first-class seats enter the market, travelers may eventually see whether premium seating becomes less expensive. For now, Frontier’s first-class cabin will test whether a carrier known for bare-bones travel can attract passengers who expect more.
