Frontier Airlines

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Frontier Airlines
IATA F9	ICAO FFT	Callsign Frontier Flight
Founded		1994
Hubs		Denver International Airport
Focus cities		Cancún International Airport Los Cabos International Airport
Frequent flyer program		EarlyReturns
Fleet size		57
Destinations		60
Parent company		Frontier Airlines, Inc.
Company slogan		"A Whole Different Animal"
Headquarters		Denver, Colorado
Key people		Jeff S. Potter (President and CEO) Samuel D. Addoms (Chairman)
Website: http://www.frontierairlines.com

Frontier Airlines, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRNT), is a low-cost airline based at Denver International Airport in Denver, Colorado, USA. The carrier operates flights throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Frontier is a major low-cost airline with two thirds of its US destinations west of the Mississippi River. The carrier maintains its primary hub at Denver International Airport, and provides regional service to the surrounding Rocky Mountain States through a codeshare agreement with Great Lakes Airlines. The airline also codeshares with Horizon Air, operating as Frontier JetExpress. In March 2007, Republic Airlines slowly began replacing Horizon Air as the operator of Frontier JetExpress.

Frontier offers a single class of service. While Frontier does market itself as a low-cost carrier, it differentiates itself in the market by offering LiveTV, an in-seat satellite television service, for five dollars on all domestic flights, and in-seat movies for eight dollars.

Frontier has a frequent flyer program, called EarlyReturns.

Contents 1 History 2 Route structure 2.1 Mexico service 2.2 Frontier JetExpress 2.3 Lynx Aviation and FrontierExpress 2.4 Code shares 3 Maintenance awards 4 Destinations 4.1 New routes 4.2 Upcoming discontinued routes 5 Fleet 6 Livery 6.1 Tail names 6.1.1 Airbus A318 6.1.2 Airbus A319 7 Frequent Flyer Program 8 Confusion with Frontier Flying Service 9 References 10 External links

[edit] History

Frontier Airlines was founded in 1994 by executives of a previous incarnation of Frontier Airlines. Scheduled flights began in 1994 utilizing Boeing 737 aircraft. Like the original, Frontier flies out of Denver and competes with United Airlines and its subsidiary Ted, each of which use Denver as a hub. In the late 1990s, Frontier began purchasing Airbus aircraft and offering DirecTV in-flight television on its new aircraft. In mid-April 2005, Frontier officially became an all-Airbus fleet, retiring its last 737.

Frontier Airlines was the launch customer of the Airbus A318 in 2003, and now has eight in its fleet with three more on order (to be delivered by May 2007).

Frontier was one of the first carriers to offer a virtual "mall", allowing passengers to spend accrued miles on merchandise and unique services. Frontier is not a member of any of the major air carrier alliances.^{[citation needed]}

As part of its plan to stay competitive the company underwent a reorganization early in 2006. On April 3, 2006 Frontier created Frontier Holdings a holding company incorporated in Delaware to take advantage of favorable tax laws in that state. The corporate headquarters did not leave Colorado.^[1]

In November 2006, Frontier Airlines' partnered with AirTran Airways, allowing frequent flyers to earn airline miles in either EarlyReturns, or AirTran's A+ Frequent flyer program. In addition the airlines will refer customers to each other when appropriate.

On January 24, 2007, Frontier was designated as a major carrier by the United States Department of Transportation.^[2]

[edit] Route structure

Unlike some low-cost carriers, Frontier operates a hub and spoke route system, with nearly all flights originating or arriving at its Denver hub. While the hub system can move people efficiently, it is also dependent on critical coordination at a single point. Hub-and-spoke systems like Frontier's, however, can simplify passenger connections. Long-distance itineraries between Frontier cities generally require no more than one connection (usually in Denver), whereas a linear carrier may require multiple connections to span a long distance. Hub-and-spoke systems can also simplify maintenance, as all aircraft transit a hub frequently.

The vast majority of Frontier flights are through its Concourse A hub in Denver. Frontier did attempt to establish a focus city at Los Angeles International Airport during 2004, but retreated under heavy competition and the sudden spike in fuel prices at the time. In 2006, Frontier returned to the California market with five daily nonstop flights between Los Angeles and San Francisco, as well as daily non-stop service linking San Francisco to Las Vegas. Services between San Francisco and Las Vegas will increase to twice daily with the start of Frontier's spring timetable. Internationally, the airline does offer a number of routes to Mexican destinations that do not begin or end at Denver.

Frontier has deferred expansion in the competitive East Coast cities such as Boston and Pittsburgh, but otherwise is expanding outside the US in Mexico and Canada. The airline operates service to Calgary with Frontier JetExpress, and will begin new mainline service to Vancouver, BC on May 5, 2007. The carrier serves four Florida tourist destinations and the business essential cities of New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC along the East Coast, and has recently commenced new non-stop service between Denver and Hartford, CT. The remaining Eastern interior city destinations are in the Midwest along with Atlanta, Memphis, and Nashville in the South. Contrary to Southwest Airlines, Frontier uses only one alternative airport in the East at Akron, which services the Cleveland market. Service to Memphis will begin on May 12, 2007 to Denver, Orlando and Las Vegas

[edit] Mexico service

The carrier offers extensive service to Mexican resort cities.

From Denver, Frontier flies to Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Cancún, Cozumel, Guadalajara, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta

Frontier maintains a focus city at Cancún, Mexico, offering point-to-point nonstop service to and from Indianapolis, Nashville, St. Louis, Kansas City, San Diego (seasonal), and Salt Lake City. The carrier also serves Cancún from its Denver hub. In cooperation with Apple Vacations, Frontier also offers a non-stop, weekend-only charter service between Chicago's Midway Airport and Cancún, and Saturday-only service between Denver and Huatulco, Mexico.

The airline is expanding its nonstop, point-to-point routes to other Mexican cities. It currently offers service between Kansas City and Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas (in addition to Cancún), and between Los Angeles and Cabo San Lucas. Frontier also recently innaugurated nonstop service between Cabo San Lucas and Sacramento, and San Jose, California.

On February 7, 2007, Frontier was given final authority from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to begin non-stop service between Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Mazatlán (MZT) three times per week. The service is slated to begin on June 7, 2007. Combined with the further Mexican expansion announced by the airline in 2006, Frontier will serve 20 routes between 11 U.S. gateways and 8 destinations in Mexico (excluding Apple Vacations Charters). This expansion includes routes from California, Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah to Mexico, without stopping in Denver.

[edit] Frontier JetExpress

In February 2002, the airline launched its first "express" product, Frontier JetExpress, initially operated by Mesa Airlines using CRJ-200 regional jets. Similar to "express" operations of other carriers, Frontier JetExpress is targeted at routes to and from Denver that do not generate traffic sufficient to support Frontier's smallest mainline jet, the Airbus A318, but can still offer lucrative business with a smaller jet.

The initial JetExpress partnership with Mesa ended in January 2004, when Horizon Air was selected to operate the routes. Horizon utilizes slightly larger CRJ-700 aircraft on these routes. In August 2006, Frontier and Horizon announced that their partnership would end. While Frontier was generally pleased with Horizon's operation, the carrier decided that it needed to revisit the agreement and find a provider with additional regional jets to grow the operation. The last of the CRJ-700's is expected to be returned to the Horizon Air fleet in December 2007.

As of January 2007, Frontier Airlines offers both mainline service and Frontier JetExpress service between Denver and Albuquerque, Austin, Dayton, Omaha, Oklahoma City, and San Jose. Frontier JetExpress operates all departures from Denver to Billings, Boise, Calgary, El Paso, Little Rock, Spokane, Tulsa, and Louisville (beginning April 1, 2007).

On January 11, 2007, Frontier Airlines announced it had signed an 11-year service agreement with Republic Airlines. Under the agreement, Republic will operate 17, 76-seat Embraer 170 aircraft for the Frontier JetExpress operations. Republic delivered its first two aircraft in March 2007, and the remaining 15 aircraft will join the fleet by December 2008. With the integration of Republic aircraft, the 'JetExpress' denotation will be removed. Subsequent to the cessation of Horizon's services for Frontier in December 2007, all flights operated by Republic will be sold and marketed as "Frontier Airlines, operated by Republic Airlines."

Frontier JetExpress, and flights operated by Republic Airlines, offer in-flight snack and beverage services similar to Frontier's mainline flights. Unlike mainline aircraft and due to the nature of contracting with regional carriers, JetExpress aircraft are not fitted with LiveTV.

[edit] Lynx Aviation and FrontierExpress

On September 6, 2006, Frontier announced that a new division of the holding company known as Lynx Aviation, would operate 10 Bombardier Q400 aircraft beginning in May 2007 as FrontierExpress.^[3] The first Q400 will be delivered in May 2007 with one additional aircraft per month from July through September and two per month from October through December. The 10 option aircraft would be delivered March 2008 through January 2009.^[4]

The name plays off of the tail pictures of its planes, specifically Larry the Lynx, and the fact that it "links" smaller airports to the main Denver hub.^[5] One reason for the change is to help reduce costs; Frontier hopes to cut costs on routes 650 miles or shorter by 30%, allowing entry into new markets.^[6] It is unknown at this time if the aircraft will have LiveTV installed on board.

The current head of Lynx Aviation is Tom Nunn.^[7]

[edit] Code shares

Frontier Airlines currently has a code share agreement with regional carrier Great Lakes Airlines, connecting flights at Denver International Airport and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to 39 cities in 9 Rocky Mountain and Great Plains states.

[edit] Maintenance awards

Frontier has been awarded the FAA Diamond award for seven years straight, from 1999 through 2006. The Diamond award recognizes carriers whose mechanics and maintenance staff complete additional training and certifications beyond that required for normal FAA certification. In order to receive this award, a minimum of 25 percent of an airline's mechanics and maintenance staff must complete this additional training. Frontier is the only airline to have consecutively received this award for the last seven years, as well as the only airline to ever receive this award with 100% participation from its maintenance staff. Frontier's staff has maintained 100% participation for the last seven consecutive years during which it has earned this award.

[edit] Destinations

Main article: Frontier Airlines destinations

Frontier Airlines currently flies to 58 destinations throughout Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Upcoming schedule changes will increase their destination count to 60 when they start service to Vancouver, British Columbia on May 5, Memphis, Tennessee on May 12, and Jacksonville, Florida on June 15, 2007. Also on June 15, Frontier will end all service to Fresno, California.

[edit] New routes

• Daily nonstop service between Denver, CO (DEN) and Vancouver, Canada (YVR) begins May 5, 2007.
• Daily nonstop service between Denver, CO (DEN) and Memphis, TN (MEM) begins May 12, 2007.
• Nonstop service operating five times per week between Las Vegas, NV (LAS) and Memphis, TN (MEM) begins May 12, 2007.
• Daily nonstop service between Orlando, FL (MCO) and Memphis, TN (MEM) begins May 12, 2007.
• Nonstop service operating three times per week between Dallas/Fort Worth, TX (DFW) and Mazatlán, Mexico (MZT) begins June 7, 2007.
• Daily nonstop service between Denver, CO (DEN) and Jacksonville, Florida (JAX) begins June 15, 2007.

[edit] Upcoming discontinued routes

• Nonstop service between Denver, CO (DEN) and Fresno, CA (FAT) ends June 15, 2007.

[edit] Fleet

Frontier Airlines has an all-Airbus fleet consisting of the following aircraft, outstanding orders, and purchased options, as of April 2007:^[8]

Frontier Airlines Fleet

Type	Total	Passengers	Notes
Airbus A318-110	8 (3 orders)	114	Launch customer
Airbus A319-100	49	132
Airbus A320-200	0 (10 orders)	162	Deliveries begin February 2008

As of April 2007, Frontier's average fleet age was 3.2 years.^[9]

Frontier Airlines operated by Republic Airines Fleet

Type	Total	Passengers	Notes
Embraer 170	2 (15 orders)	76	Leased from and operated by Republic Airlines

Frontier JetExpress Fleet

Type	Total	Passengers	Notes
Bombardier CRJ-700	9	70	To exit service by December 2007 Operated by Horizon Air

FrontierExpress Fleet

Type	Total	Passengers	Notes
Bombardier Q400	0 (10 orders) (10 options)	74	Deliveries begin May 2007 Operated by Lynx Aviation

[edit] Livery

The Frontier Airlines livery consists of an all-white fuselage with silver billboard-style “Frontier” titles on the sides of the aircraft. Frontier uses wildlife photography on the vertical stabilizers and winglets of the aircraft to produce a distinctive look, touted in their advertisements along with their slogan: “A Whole Different Animal.”

The concepts used in the livery extend into Frontier’s marketing as well. Animal aircraft used in their radio and television commercials include Jack the rabbit, Grizwald the bear, Foxy the fox (for whom Jack has a crush), Flip the dolphin (who always gets stuck going to cold climates instead of Florida), Larry the lynx, Hector the sea otter, and Sal the cougar. New additions are Penguins Jim, Joe, Jay, and Gary, a barbershop-style quartet, singing the praises of the program to an audience of Frontier’s well-known characters from the “a whole different animal” campaign, and Hector the otter, advertising Frontier's expanded service to Mexico.

[edit] Tail names

Each animal on the tail of a Frontier Airlines Airbus has a name, the most famous being "Larry the Lynx," "Grizwald the Bear," "Jack the Rabbit" and "Flip the Dolphin" for being heavily featured in Frontier advertising. When Frontier was promoting its new Mexico service, the airline launched its "send Flip to Mexico" campaign, and Frontier's "Denver's Favorite Animal" campaign continues to shine attention upon their popular tales. The names of all the tails are:

[edit] Airbus A318

• N801FR-Grizzly Bear "Grizwald"
• N802FR-Elk "Montana"
• N803FR-Rabbit "Stu"
• N804FR-Kit Fox Cubs "Mo and Jo"
• N805FR-Great Gray Owl "Ollie"
• N806FR-Bison "Humphrey"
• N807FR-Cougar "Charlie"
• N808FR-Fawn currently unnamed

[edit] Airbus A319

• N901FR-Wolf "Wally"
• N902FR-Wood Duck "Woody"
• N903FR-Orca Whale "Ozzy"
• N904FR-Swan "Grace"
• N905FR-Seal "Sherman"
• N906FR-Pronghorn "Andy"
• N907FR-Mule Deer "Mel"
• N908FR-Heron "Holly"
• N909FR-Canadian Goose "Lucy"
• N910FR-Mountain Lion "Sal"
• N912FR-Red Fox "Trixie"
• N913FR-Hummingbird "Hamilton"
• N914FR-Egret "Stretch"
• N915FR-Mustang "Sally"
• N916FR-Mallard Duck "O'Malley"
• N917FR-Snowy Owl "Doc"
• N918FR-Whitetail Deer "Jake"
• N919FR-Ocelot "Lance"
• N920FR-Coyote "Carl"
• N921FR-Mountain Goat "Fritz"
• N922FR-Red Fox "Foxy"
• N923FR-Raccoon "Rudy"
• N924FR-Polar Bear Cubs "Klondike and Snow"
• N925FR-Dall's Sheep "Dale"
• N926FR-Fawn "Domino"
• N927FR-Bottlenose Dolphin "Flip"

• N928FR-Bobcat "Hank"
• N929FR-Lynx "Larry"
• N930FR-Cougar w/ Cub "Lola and Max"
• N931FR-Black Bear Cub "Jo-Jo"
• N932FR-Bald Eagle "Sarge"
• N933FR-Hawk "Sebastian"
• N934FR-Baby Lynx "L.J."
• N935FR-Sea Otter "Hector"
• N936FR-Walrus "Earl"
• N937FR-Blue Crowned Conure "Carmen"
• N938FR-Arctic Fox "Misty"
• N939FR-Emperor Penguins "Jim, Joe, Jay, and Gary"
• N940FR-Snowshoe Hare "Jack"
• N941FR-Grey Wolf "Lobo"
• N942FR-Ram "Stan"
• N943FR-Deer Fawn "Cloe"
• N944FR-Polar Bear w/ Cub "Alberta and Clipper"
• N945FR-Bull Moose "Chocolate"
• N946FR-Horned Puffin "Perry"
• N947FR-Jaguar "Maya"
• N948FR-Pelican "Pete"
• N949FR-White Ermine "Erma"
• N950FR-Bottlenose Dolphin currently unnamed

[edit] Frequent Flyer Program

EarlyReturns is Frontier's frequent flier program. It is a mileage-based program that contains three levels. Upon enrolling, members start at the first level, Basic, and accrue miles commensurate with actual air miles traveled on Frontier or partner airline AirTran. Once a member accumulates 15,000 miles in a calendar year, they reach the second level, Ascent, receiving free DirecTV service, priority boarding and ticketing, priority seating choice, and other perks. The third level, Summit, is awarded for the accrual of 25,000 miles in a calender year, and adds a 50% mileage bonus on future accruals, among other benefits. ^[10]

[edit] Confusion with Frontier Flying Service

Frontier Airlines is occasionally confused with Fairbanks, Alaska–based Frontier Flying Service, because of the similarity in name. Passengers at Anchorage International Airport are especially prone to this confusion, because both Frontiers fly out of the airport, albeit from different concourses (Frontier Airlines uses Concourse B, while Frontier Flying Service uses Concourse A).

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Frontier Airlines
• Frontier Airlines Fleet Age
• Frontier Airlines Fleet Detail
• Frontier Airlines Fleet Photos and Tail Closeups