Frontier Airlines says it plans to introduce first class seats and an industry-leading companion pass in 2025.
Yes, that Frontier. The airline known for bare bones fares, tight legroom, and nickel-and-diming its customers for things like bags, seat assignment, and more…is going premium.
In a news release Tuesday, Frontier announced it would add first class seats to its fleet starting in 2025. A rendering of the seats shows some simple Frontier branding on pairs of larger, plush seats like you’d see on most other mainline U.S. airlines. The black seats with green trim stay true to Frontier’s branding as well.
There will be eight of these new first class seats placed on all of Frontier’s planes in the first tow rows of the aircraft. Frontier said the seats will start rolling out in late 2025.
While the cost of these seats are still unknown, Frontier recently moved away from its a la carte pricing system and has begun selling fare bundles upfront similar to more premium airlines like American, Delta, and United. This includes a new fare called the “Business Bundle” which lends itself more to the premium traveler, but without an actual comfier seat in the front of the plane.
While you’ll presumably be able to purchase one of these new first class seats outright, Frontier Elite members will also be able benefit from free upgrades like you get with status on other airlines. Frontier’s Elite Gold members (and higher) will get unlimited free first class upgrades when the new seats are installed, according to the news release. For now, those same elites can be upgraded to Frontier’s “UpFront Plus” seat option that simply blocks a middle seat in a row of economy.
The move toward premium follows a clear trend in the U.S. airline industry. As Delta and United brag about their money-making forward cabins while reporting big profits quarter-after-quarter, low-cost carriers like Frontier would be foolish not to be curious. Spirit Airlines, after all, has long offered its Big Front Seat first class product in a business model that is almost identical to Frontier’s.
Additionally, the first class seats are a nice carrot for travelers wanting to spend or fly their way to Frontier elite status this year, next year, and beyond.
Read Next: How to Easily Match Status to Frontier & Why You Should
The Best Companion Pass in the US?
Hidden in the splashy announcement of Frontier’s new first class seats is the fact that it will offer unlimited companion passes for its top-tier status holders starting in 2025, too.
Frontier Platinum and Diamond Elite members will be able to bring a friend or family member on any flight and only pay the taxes and fees.
This ultra-flexible and valuable perk makes it one of the best companion passes on the market. Travelers can use the pass for an unlimited number of flights, instantly making it better than the companion offerings of Alaska and Delta. Its closest rival would be Southwest’s companion pass, which is also unlimited, but only lets you change your designated companion a select number of times.
According to Frontier’s terms and conditions, you can change the travel companion flight, meaning you can use this companion pass for any travel buddy, anytime. The only requirement is that the companion has a Frontier Miles account, which is free to join.
Companions cannot earn miles or status points on flights and you cannot use companion passes on GoWild! flight passes. But other than that, travelers with top-tier Frontier status can have a guest fly free with them no matter what.
Bottom Line
Frontier Airlines is adding a first class cabin to its planes in 2025, copying rival low-cost carrier Spirit and the other mainline U.S. airlines in capitalizing on premium customers.
Plus, Gold Elite members and higher will be eligible for complimentary upgrades to these seats on every flight, too.
Hidden in Frontier’s announcement was the addition of the easiest-to-use companion pass in the United States, which is also set to launch next year.
