After announcing service from Wilmington-New Castle to Orlando, Frontier Airlines is ramping up its flight schedule out of the Philadelphia International Airport.
The three new nonstop routes from Philadelphia to Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles expands nonstop service to two dozen destinations that cover 13 of the 15 largest domestic markets. Frontier is offering fares as low as $29 one way.
“Today’s expansion in Philadelphia represents Frontier’s commitment to growing our service in the city while delivering on the promise of ‘Low Fares Done Right’ to our customers,” said Daniel Shurz, senior vice president of commercial for Frontier Airlines. “Frontier will now offer the only nonstop ultra-low-cost flights to Boston and Chicago from PHL and daily flights to Los Angeles.”
Shurz was in New Castle on Tuesday to announce nonstops to Orlando.
Philadelphia flights will operate daily on the Los Angeles and Boston routes, with three-time-a-week service to O’Hare. The additional service from Philadelphia will get underway in April and May.
Southwest Airlines offered lower-fare service to New England, but later dropped flights. Jet Blue and American now offer service to Boston
Frontier has expanded service from Philadelphia, since its 2015 exit from Wilmington-New Castle and now offers service to nearly two dozen destinations. Much of the service is offered a few days a week.
Frontier is hoping to lure travelers away from American Airlines, which has been struggling to match the profitability of rivals United, Delta and Southwest. American operates a hub in Philadelphia, but has added more flights at its more profitable hub in Charlotte.
Southwest and to a lesser extent American have been hampered by the grounding of Boeing 737 Max jets.
In Wimington-New Castle Frontier is offering flights three days a week, beginning on May 14, with bookings ending in early August. While Frontier has made no promises on a long term presence, although officials indicated the carrier will work to build up traffic on the route and have more experience in operating in smaller markets.
Earlier this year, Frontier announced additional service from Baltimore-Washington, Thurgood Marshall International Airport to Miami, San Juan and El Salvador.
Frontier offers flights with low base fares and charges extra for assigned seats and checked or overhead bin luggage.
Bundles at an extra charge come with added perks, such as refundable fares and more legroom.
