Frontier Airlines is in the middle of one of its biggest overhauls ever — and if you’re a U.S. traveler looking for cheap fares with a bit more comfort, this week is a very big deal.
In the past few days, the Denver‑based ultra‑low‑cost carrier has:
- Announced four new U.S. routes launching in early 2026 with introductory fares from $29 one way. [1]
- Switched on five new nonstop routes from Detroit Metro Airport to warm‑weather destinations including Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Cancun, with promo fares as low as $29 for domestic trips. [2]
- Pushed a discounted GoWild! all‑you‑can‑fly pass and fresh elite‑status perks. [3]
- Confirmed plans to add in‑flight Wi‑Fi and debut first‑class seating, a major pivot away from its no‑frills past. [4]
Here’s what changed, what’s on sale right now, and how it all fits together for travelers as of today, November 25, 2025.
Four New Frontier Routes for Early 2026 – From $29 One Way
Frontier’s November 20 announcement adds four leisure‑focused routes that start flying between January and February 2026. [5]
New routes and launch dates
- Newark (EWR) – Orlando (MCO)
- Starts January 21, 2026
- 3x weekly
- Introductory fares advertised from $39 one way [6]
- Salt Lake City (SLC) – Tucson (TUS)
- Starts January 22, 2026
- 2x weekly
- Intro fares from $59 one way [7]
- Miami (MIA) – Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
- Orlando (MCO) – Pensacola (PNS)
- Starts February 13, 2026
- 2x weekly
- Intro fares from $29 one way [10]
On Frontier’s homepage this week, the airline is pushing a “4 new routes” promotion with fares from $29 one way if you buy by November 26, 2025, for travel on select days between January 21 and April 13, 2026. Discount Den members get access to the lowest prices, and blackout dates apply. [11]
Detroit Becomes a Frontline City in Frontier’s Expansion
Detroit is one of the biggest near‑term winners from Frontier’s network reset.
As of this week, the airline has five new nonstop routes from Detroit Metro Airport (DTW), timed perfectly for winter getaway season: [12]
- DTW – Fort Lauderdale (FLL) – launched Nov. 20, 2025, 3x weekly
- DTW – Houston (IAH) – from Nov. 21, 3x weekly
- DTW – Miami (MIA) – from Nov. 21, 3x weekly
- DTW – Cancun (CUN) – from Nov. 22, weekly
- DTW – Charlotte (CLT) – from Nov. 23, 2x weekly
A local report this week notes that domestic promo fares start at $29 one way, with early Cancun tickets around $110, and that the introductory sale for these Detroit routes runs until December 3, 2025, subject to blackout dates and availability. [13]
A sixth route, Detroit – New Orleans (MSY), is scheduled to start in February 2026, adding another warm‑weather option ahead of Mardi Gras. [14]
All of this flows from Frontier’s August strategy announcement, where the airline pledged to become the #1 low‑fare carrier in the top 20 U.S. metro areas and unveiled 20 new routes from cities including Detroit, Houston, Fort Lauderdale, Charlotte and Dallas, with fares from $29. [15]
Fort Lauderdale, Houston and Other Hubs Get More Options Too
Detroit isn’t alone. Frontier is also bulking up in Fort Lauderdale and Houston as part of the same push.
Recent schedule changes and local tourism coverage highlight: [16]
- New or ramped‑up service from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to:
- Baltimore/Washington (BWI)
- Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
- Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW)
- Detroit (DTW)
- Charlotte (CLT)
- Houston (IAH)
- Added connectivity from Houston (IAH) to Fort Lauderdale, New Orleans, Philadelphia and new international routes such as Guatemala City, San Salvador and San Pedro Sula, also starting late 2025 and early 2026.
At the same time, Frontier is exiting smaller markets like Palm Springs International Airport, shifting aircraft to larger metro areas while still launching a new DFW–FLL route and those four early‑2026 additions. [17]
In other words: Frontier is trimming fringe routes but doubling down where the demand — and the competition — is hottest.
Why This Is Being Called a “Major Change” for Travelers
The headline that’s been circulating — “Frontier Airlines Makes Major Change for Travelers” — isn’t just about one route announcement. It’s about how all these moves tie into Frontier’s multi‑year transformation, branded “The New Frontier.” [18]
Key pieces of that transformation include:
- First‑class seating in the first two rows of each aircraft, debuting late 2025, with more space and priority benefits, but still priced below traditional legacy‑carrier first class. [19]
- UpFront Plus seats, already available, with extra legroom and a guaranteed empty middle seat at the front of the cabin. [20]
- Unlimited free companion travel for top‑tier Platinum and Diamond elites, set to run across any Frontier flight (you just pay taxes and fees), starting mid‑2025. [21]
- The ability to redeem miles for bags, seat bundles and add‑ons, not just flights. [22]
- A loyalty structure where even entry‑level elites earn 10 miles per dollar spent, with multipliers up to 20x at higher tiers. [23]
For an airline long associated with bare‑bones service and high à‑la‑carte fees, combining premium seats, more flexible mileage use and ultra‑cheap fares is a genuine strategic shift.
In‑Flight Wi‑Fi: Frontier Finally Joins the Connected Era
Perhaps the most surprising development, and a big reason this week’s coverage talks about “sweeping changes,” is that Frontier has now confirmed it is moving ahead with in‑flight Wi‑Fi.
- CEO Barry Biffle recently replied to a social media comment saying Wi‑Fi is “coming.”
- Frontier told industry outlets it hopes to select a Wi‑Fi provider within about a year, with multiple vendors competing for the contract. [24]
- Until now, the airline’s own FAQ has explicitly stated that it offers no Wi‑Fi, no streaming and no power outlets on board. [25]
Analysts note that this aligns Frontier with rivals that are either rolling out free connectivity or heavily discounting it, especially as Wi‑Fi becomes a basic expectation for business travelers and families alike. [26]
Details such as pricing, speed and which aircraft get it first are still TBD, but the commitment itself is a major philosophical change for a carrier built on “no extras.”
GoWild! Pass and Other Deals: How to Max Out the Savings
Alongside the route news, Frontier also launched its 2026–2027 GoWild! All‑You‑Can‑Fly Annual Pass at a limited‑time price of $349 (regularly $599). [27]
Highlights of the current GoWild offer:
- Nearly a year and a half of unlimited Frontier flights, thanks to early access that lets passholders start flying before the standard May 2026 window.
- You pay just $0.01 in base fare per flight, plus taxes and fees, with bookings typically allowed one day before departure for domestic flights and 10 days before for international.
- Seats are capacity‑controlled, blackout dates apply, and bags/seat selection still cost extra. [28]
On the loyalty side, Frontier is layering in more ways to earn and keep status:
- A Platinum Status Challenge advertised at $99, which can unlock perks like complimentary first‑class upgrades and companion travel more quickly. [29]
- A Miles Match program, letting new members match up to 1 million miles from other airlines if they subsequently earn the same amount with Frontier. [30]
For frequent or highly flexible travelers — especially those living near Detroit, Orlando, Miami, Houston, Fort Lauderdale or Newark — stacking a GoWild pass with the new route map and elite perks can unlock some unusually low effective trip costs (as long as you’re comfortable with restrictions and fees).
Key Dates Travelers Should Know (As of Nov. 25, 2025)
If you’re considering jumping on these changes, these are the big deadlines and start dates:
- Nov. 26, 2025 – Last day to grab promo fares from $29 one way on the four new early‑2026 routes (EWR–MCO, MCO–PNS, SLC–TUS, MIA–ORD) for travel between Jan. 21 and Apr. 13, 2026, on select days. [31]
- Dec. 3, 2025 – Scheduled end of the Detroit promo sale with domestic fares from $29 and discounted Cancun tickets, according to local reporting. [32]
- Dec. 2, 2025 – End of the intro period to buy the 2026–2027 GoWild Annual Pass at $349 with early access. [33]
- Late 2025 – First‑class cabins begin rolling out across the fleet. [34]
- Early 2026 onward – Wi‑Fi partner selection and installation work expected to ramp up, though no exact in‑service date is published yet. [35]
As always, schedules and fares are subject to change, and sale prices are limited; travelers should double‑check availability on Frontier’s website before booking.
Who Benefits Most From Frontier’s New Strategy?
- Detroit‑area travelers
Now have nonstop options to Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Houston, Charlotte and Cancun, plus New Orleans coming in 2026 — all on an ultra‑low‑cost carrier aiming to undercut legacy airline prices. [36] - Florida and Gulf Coast vacationers
The new Orlando–Pensacola and Miami–Chicago routes, plus added Fort Lauderdale connectivity, make quick beach escapes and shoulder‑season trips cheaper and easier. [37] - Budget‑conscious frequent flyers
Travelers willing to book close‑in, travel light and accept restrictions can get outsized value from the GoWild pass, cheap introductory fares and expanded network. [38] - Loyalty and points enthusiasts
Frontier’s status challenges, companion travel benefits and mile‑matching offers are clearly aimed at poaching flyers from Spirit, Southwest and other low‑cost rivals, especially as Spirit restructures. [39]
Taken together, the new routes, Detroit expansion, Wi‑Fi plans, first‑class cabins and revamped loyalty perks explain why Frontier’s latest moves are being framed as a major change for U.S. travelers. For now, the biggest takeaway is simple: if you live near one of Frontier’s growing hubs — especially Detroit, Orlando, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Houston or Newark — this week is a prime moment to lock in 2026 trips while the $29 and GoWild deals are still on the table.
References
1. news.flyfrontier.com, 2. news.flyfrontier.com, 3. news.flyfrontier.com, 4. thepointsguy.com, 5. news.flyfrontier.com, 6. news.flyfrontier.com, 7. news.flyfrontier.com, 8. thepointsguy.com, 9. news.flyfrontier.com, 10. news.flyfrontier.com, 11. www.flyfrontier.com, 12. news.flyfrontier.com, 13. wrif.com, 14. news.flyfrontier.com, 15. news.flyfrontier.com, 16. news.flyfrontier.com, 17. www.the-sun.com, 18. www.mensjournal.com, 19. news.flyfrontier.com, 20. www.flyfrontier.com, 21. news.flyfrontier.com, 22. news.flyfrontier.com, 23. news.flyfrontier.com, 24. thepointsguy.com, 25. faq.flyfrontier.com, 26. thepointsguy.com, 27. news.flyfrontier.com, 28. news.flyfrontier.com, 29. www.flyfrontier.com, 30. news.flyfrontier.com, 31. news.flyfrontier.com, 32. wrif.com, 33. news.flyfrontier.com, 34. news.flyfrontier.com, 35. thepointsguy.com, 36. news.flyfrontier.com, 37. news.flyfrontier.com, 38. news.flyfrontier.com, 39. news.flyfrontier.com
