Frontier Airlines adds 3 new routes, including new Punta Cana service – The Points Guy

Frontier Airlines is once again expanding its network at major U.S. airports.

This time, the Denver-based carrier is adding three routes:

• Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to Tampa International Airport (TPA)
• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) to Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) in the Dominican Republic
• Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C., to Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas

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All three of the routes were previously operated by Frontier before the coronavirus pandemic, according to Cirium schedules, but this is the first time they will be flown since 2019.

Daily service from IAD to LAS kicks off May 1, and four-times-weekly flights from CLT to TPA take off just one day later. Frontier will operate weekly Saturday-only service from CVG to PUJ beginning May 17.

To coincide with the announcement, Frontier’s introductory fares on these new routes start at $29. Note that Frontier’s bare-bones business model means that you’ll need to pay for extras like bags and seat assignments on the cheapest introductory fares.

For Frontier, this is the latest push into major U.S. airports, especially CLT and IAD. The former is the second-biggest hub for American Airlines, and the carrier already operates up to 10 daily flights in this market.

The nation’s other big ultra-low-cost carrier, Spirit Airlines, also operates service in this market.

Meanwhile, IAD is a major hub for United Airlines, which offers up to four daily flights to LAS; Frontier will be the first discount carrier in this market.

With so much competition, it might initially surprise some travelers that Frontier is adding more routes from CLT and IAD. That said, while the airline has historically preferred to fly from secondary airports, Frontier has recently been busy growing its network at some of the biggest airports in the country.

This includes New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), where Frontier recently added three more routes, including a transcon to Los Angeles.

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It’s usually cheaper for airlines to operate from smaller, secondary airports, which is one of the big reasons why Frontier (and its ultra-low-cost rivals) have historically preferred them.

But in recent quarters, Frontier’s network strategy of focusing on secondary markets hasn’t been working as well as it would like, leading to the airline upending its historical model to focus on bigger markets.

This network growth builds on Frontier’s revamped commercial business model that includes up-front pricing on different bundles that include bags and seats, as well as the elimination of change and cancellation fees.

Frontier is even planning to add a domestic first-class-style recliner product later this year.

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