Frontier Airlines is planning several changes to the carrier, most notably the edition of first-class seats next year.
To me, that aspect is a big mistake. My heart says this is not the right move.
Because there is so much turbulence right now in the budget sector of airlines, including the bankruptcy of Spirit Airlines, this is a reactionary move. Yes, it will secure Frontier’s place in the budget carrier pecking order of the industry but the airline should probably wait to do that and see how everything plays out. Frontier will be the low-budget airline of choice ahead of Allegiant, Avelo and Breeze, among others.
This is like the New York Yankees winning the World Series against the Oakland Athletics. They don’t necessarily have to pull this move but it sure does ensure it. It solidifies and validates everything that Frontier wants to do—they just didn’t have to do it right now.
This is a business decision, and it never hurts to be out front of business. But, again, my flying heart tells me that Frontier could have waited. This country needs a budget alternative. We need choices. Frontier has carved out that space and obviously continues to enhance that. This is their niche, or they become just another American Airlines or Delta.
And we don’t need another legacy carrier. It’s just one of many reasons why the Justice Department was so concerned with the merger between JetBlue and Spirit. A potential lack of competition. Frontier Airlines could thrive and survive without adding first-class seats.
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