Frontier targets major US metro markets with 20 new routes amid rivalry with Spirit

The new routes are concentrated in large cities such as Baltimore, Detroit, Houston, and Fort Lauderdale—markets where Spirit either holds significant market share or has recently reduced capacity. For example, six of Frontier's new routes involve Fort Lauderdale, which remains Spirit’s largest base and main international gateway.

Earlier this year, merger talks between Frontier and Spirit failed after repeated advances by Frontier were rebuffed by Spirit management. Since then, Frontier appears to be directly targeting markets where Spirit operates or has cut back service.

Among the newly announced services are Baltimore-Cancun (weekly), Detroit-Fort Lauderdale (three times weekly), Houston-Guatemala City (three times weekly), and several others connecting major metro areas domestically and internationally. Each route will face competition from at least one legacy carrier—such as United Airlines in Houston or Delta Air Lines in Detroit—as well as from Spirit itself.

Most of these new flights will operate two or three times per week initially while load factors are assessed before any increase in frequency is considered. This approach differs from competitors like Spirit that often offer multiple daily frequencies on similar routes.

In addition to network growth, Frontier unveiled enhancements for its loyalty program members through its Frontier Miles plan. Travelers can now upgrade their status from other airlines’ loyalty programs—including Southwest Rapid Rewards and JetBlue TrueBlue—to Elite Gold Status at Frontier for $69 through December 2026. Benefits include free carry-on bags, priority boarding, preferred seat selection, and complimentary upgrades.

Frontier also introduced a new benefit for holders of its World Mastercard: companion travel certificates awarded after certain spending thresholds ($3,000; $10,000; $20,000) on purchases made through January 31, 2026. These certificates allow cardholders to bring a companion on round-trip travel within one year of issuance.

Additionally, for the first time new members can match up to one million miles from other airline loyalty programs if they earn an equivalent amount with Frontier within twelve months—a promotion available only until September 26, 2025.

While these moves signal aggressive expansion by Frontier into established markets dominated by both legacy carriers and rival budget airlines like Spirit—which recently warned it may run out of cash—the success of these efforts depends on passenger demand and competitive response across each targeted route.