Frontier challenges DOT decision on Reagan National Airport slot allocations

Frontier also objected to other airlines' applications, arguing that similar issues present in United Airlines' application were overlooked by the DOT. The airline asserted it was an "incumbent air carrier" qualifying as a limited incumbent carrier under the FAA Reauthorization Act 2024.

"In the Notice," Frontier stated, "the DOT explained that carriers’ applications 'should' (not 'shall') include...the aircraft type." It argued that since timing information was irrelevant for determining slot assignments, there was good cause for considering Frontier’s supplemental information.

The airline plans to operate flights between Washington-National and San Juan starting March 6, 2025. It will use an A320 configured with either 180 or 186 seats.

On October 30, alongside JetBlue and Spirit Airlines, Frontier expressed objections to the slot allocations. Both Frontier and Spirit contested Alaska Airlines' eligibility due to a codeshare agreement with American Airlines. They argued this partnership gave Alaska more access than Frontier had with its limited slots.

Alaska responded on November 12 by citing a legal agreement preventing them from displaying American's flight code on their itineraries at Washington-National following their merger with Virgin America in 2017.