Frontier Airlines Route Expansion Adds 20 Winter Flights
Frontier Airlines is pushing into peak winter with 20 new routes from key U.S. metros, aiming to keep fares low on underserved city pairs. Starting in November 2025, the low-cost carrier adds domestic links and new service into Latin America and the Caribbean, with introductory fares from $29.00 one way if purchased by September 1, 2025. Executives say the moves support a broader strategy to become the number one low-fare option across the top 20 U.S. metro areas, backed by recent loyalty and product upgrades.
Key Points
- Why it matters: More nonstop choices, lower entry prices, and fresh competition on busy metro corridors.
- Travel impact: $29.00 fares through September 1, 2025, on select days, with holiday blackouts.
- What's next: Additional fleet deliveries and more 2026 routes are planned, subject to approvals.
- Houston, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Baltimore, Charlotte, and Dallas see the biggest gains.
- International launches from Houston target Guatemala City, San Salvador, and San Pedro Sula, pending approvals.
Snapshot
Frontier will launch or resume 20 routes beginning November 2025, rolling out through February 2026. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) gains weekly Cancun International Airport (CUN) flights on November 22 and new links to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) on November 20, plus Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) on February 12, 2026. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) adds Fort Lauderdale on November 20, Houston and Miami International Airport (MIA) on November 21, Cancun on November 22, and New Orleans on February 12, 2026. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) gets Fort Lauderdale on November 20 and New Orleans on February 13, 2026. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) adds Fort Lauderdale on November 21 and Detroit on November 23. Fort Lauderdale adds O'Hare International Airport (ORD) from November 20.
Background
Frontier has been re-shaping its network to emphasize large metro pairs, while expanding into leisure-heavy Latin America and the Caribbean. With industry capacity shifting, leadership frames this expansion as a way to preserve affordable options in markets that risk higher prices. The airline recently refreshed its loyalty ecosystem and product mix, positioning "The New Frontier" as more than just bare-bones fares. That includes discounted introductory prices, but also frequent promotions and status accelerators. For readers tracking those changes, see our coverage of Frontier's recent elite status, miles match, and companion certificate moves in Frontier miles match and companion certificates. Travelers should also expect typical holiday constraints; promo fare windows exclude peak Thanksgiving and late-December periods.
Latest Developments
20 new routes across top U.S. metros
Frontier concentrates growth in six hubs. From BWI, new service includes weekly Cancun from November 22, plus Fort Lauderdale and Houston, three times weekly from November 20, and New Orleans twice weekly from February 12, 2026. CLT adds Fort Lauderdale, three times weekly from November 21, and Detroit twice weekly from November 23. DFW adds Fort Lauderdale, three times weekly from November 20, and New Orleans twice weekly from February 13, 2026. DTW expands with Fort Lauderdale, three times weekly from November 20, Houston and Miami, three times weekly from November 21, weekly Cancun from November 22, and New Orleans twice weekly from February 12, 2026. FLL adds Chicago O'Hare, three times weekly from November 20. Houston sees weekly Fort Lauderdale from November 22; Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) three times weekly from November 21; New Orleans twice weekly from February 13, 2026; plus Guatemala City's La Aurora International Airport (GUA) three times weekly from December 18, San Salvador International Airport (SAL) three times weekly from December 19, and Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport (SAP) weekly from December 20.
Sale pricing, holiday blackouts, and approvals to note
Introductory fares start at $29.00 one way when purchased by 11:59 p.m. ET on September 1, 2025. Valid travel dates run October 20, 2025, through January 5, 2026, with blackout periods around November 23 to 30, December 21 to 31, and January 1 to 2. As with most new cross-border routes, international launches from IAH to GUA, SAL, and SAP are pending government approvals. Some fares tied to MSY open later. Travelers should factor peak-season crowding and weather into plans; our FAA Daily Air Traffic Report helps forecast likely delays on rollout dates.
Analysis
This Frontier Airlines route expansion continues a pivot toward high-population corridors, where price discipline is often softer during peak leisure periods. Concentrating adds in Houston, Detroit, and South Florida builds density, improves aircraft utilization, and supports schedule reliability during winter. International growth from Houston is notable, connecting a major U.S. energy and diaspora market to Central America with low frequency but attractive pricing, a classic ultra-low-cost play. The Detroit ramp restores links that disappeared during prior network resets, while CLT and DFW add competitive pressure in the Southeast and Texas, respectively. The sale window is tight, and holiday blackouts limit the cheapest seats during the busiest weeks, but the $29.00 headline will stimulate demand on shoulder-period dates. Watch for competitive responses from incumbents, especially on Florida and New Orleans flows. For travelers, ancillary fees still matter; total trip cost depends on bags and seats. For trade, the bigger signal is Frontier's stated ambition to dominate low-fare share in the top 20 metros, implying more additions as new aircraft arrive in 2026.
Final Thoughts
Frontier's winter schedule adds useful new city pairs, sharper pricing, and more ways into Latin America during the cool-weather peak. Expect modest frequencies at launch, with potential up-gauging or day-of-week tweaks as demand patterns emerge. The combination of sale fares, restored links, and new cross-border options signals a sustained Frontier Airlines route expansion.