Frontier Airlines to Introduce Affordable First-Class-Style Seating by 2025

Frontier Airlines, a U.S. budget carrier, announced plans to introduce first-class-style seating by late 2025. This move aims to appeal to travelers willing to pay more for comfort. CEO Barry Biffle revealed the airline is targeting "affluent leisure customers who want a first-class seat." Regulatory approval is still required for this change.

The airline has already added extra-legroom seats and business fares to attract small companies. The first-class offering aligns with a broader industry trend among budget carriers. In August, Spirit Airlines introduced business-class seats with a blocked middle seat, while Southwest Airlines announced premium seats with more legroom earlier this year.

In addition to enhanced seating, Frontier is improving the benefits of its frequent flyers. Biffle highlighted that other airlines have made loyalty programs less generous, reducing seat upgrades. "This is really our answer," he said. Frontier aims to deliver the most affordable coach and first-class seats in the market.

Biffle also addressed criticism over Frontier's controversial policy of paying gate agents bonuses for catching travelers and avoiding carry-on baggage fees. Defending the practice, he said, "These are shoplifters. These are people that are stealing. It's not equitable to everyone who follows the rules."

Looking ahead, Biffle expressed optimism about the potential benefits of a lighter regulatory approach under President-elect Donald Trump. He predicted an "unshackling" of the industry, focusing on safety rather than overregulation of prices and customer experiences.

With these changes, Frontier is positioning itself as a budget airline that caters to both cost-conscious travelers and those looking for luxury.

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