Frontier's network shakeup continues with 8 more routes from Philadelphia

09.02.2024 - 12:56 / thepointsguy.com / Barry Biffle / East Coast / Airlines

Frontier Airlines is out with the latest in what's been a flurry of recent route announcements.

The Denver-based ultra-low-cost carrier on Wednesday announced it's adding eight new routes to its schedule at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).

All of those, along with two others the airline previously announced from Philadelphia, begin in May — just before the peak summer travel season gets underway.

For Frontier, some of these routes will be entirely new nonstop offerings out of Philadelphia. In other cases, the airline will resume routes it flew in recent years or even pick back up with service it hasn't offered since before the pandemic.

Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG's free biweekly Aviation newsletter.

Once flying this scaled-up schedule out of Philadelphia, Frontier will offer 47% more flights out of the major East Coast airport than it does currently, according to Atif Saeed, CEO of the Philadelphia Department of Aviation.

"The expansion shows that our post-coronavirus pandemic recovery continues and these ultra-low-cost fares will expand market reach and help make travel possible for many more travelers," Saeed said in a statement announcing the news.

Frontier's announcement on Wednesday is just the latest example of the company's attempt to double down on operations at — and in some cases between — some of the busiest hubs of the biggest U.S. airlines.

Just last month, for instance, Frontier announced 54 new routes that significantly bolstered its presence at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) — American Airlines' home base and biggest hub.

Now, the airline is likewise expanding its footprint at American's hub in Philadelphia, including offering a new nonstop between Philadelphia and another American (not to mention United Airlines) hub, Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD).

As part of its Philadelphia expansion, Frontier will also resume flying to Kansas City International Airport (MCI) and Portland International Jetport (PWM) in Maine. It served both airports from Philadelphia as recently as 2023, according to data from Cirium.

Speaking on the company's earnings call Wednesday, Frontier CEO Barry Biffle said the airline is focusing on trying to grow its presence away from highly competitive leisure markets, such as Orlando and Las Vegas. In those markets, a glut of service from numerous airlines has driven down fares — good news for customers but less so for airlines trying to make a profit.

"Our network growth in 2024 is focused on exploiting hire fare, 'visiting friends and relative' markets," Biffle told analysts.

To that end, the carrier has also stepped up its efforts to lure business travelers, unveiling a new business travel program just