Frontier Airlines announced it is launching 20 new routes to compete with other low-fare airlines, including Spirit Airlines, whose executives recently announced the business might not be operating in a year.
In a news release on Tuesday, Aug. 26, Frontier said it’s committed to being the “number one low-fare carrier in the top 20 U.S. metros.” Some of the new routes, set to launch in the winter, are based at Spirit hubs.
“As industry capacity adjusts, we want to ensure consumers in those markets continue to have affordable flight options,” Barry Biffle, CEO of Frontier Airlines, said in a statement.
The new routes will take off from Detroit, Houston, Baltimore, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Charlotte, North Carolina. Fares will begin at $29, the company said, noting routes will launch from November through February 2026.
“With additional fleet and route expansion on tap for 2026, along with major investments in loyalty and product upgrades, Frontier is America’s low-fare airline, delivering the best value,” the company said.
Spirit’s main hub operates out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, while Detroit ranks fourth in the airline’s passenger capacity, according to Deutsche Bank research. Frontier and Spirit share 35% of their capacity, more than any other airline, Deutsche Bank airline analyst Michael Linenberg said on Monday, Aug. 25, per Business Insider and CNBC.
What are the new routes?
Baltimore (BWI) to Cancun (CUN)
Service Start: Nov. 22, 2025
Baltimore (BWI) to/from Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
Service Start: Nov. 20, 2025
Baltimore (BWI) to/from Houston (IAH)
Service Start: Nov. 20, 2025
Baltimore (BWI) to/from New Orleans (MSY)
Service Start: Feb. 12, 2026
Intro Fare: price not listed
Charlotte (CLT) to/from Detroit (DTW)
Service Start: Nov. 23, 2025
Charlotte (CLT) to/from Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
Service Start: Nov. 21, 2025
Dallas (DFW) to/from Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
Service Start: Nov. 20, 2025
Dallas (DFW) to/from New Orleans (MSY)
Service Start: Feb. 13, 2026
Intro Fare: price not listed
Detroit (DTW) to Cancun (CUN)
Service Start: Nov. 22, 2025
Detroit (DTW) to/from Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
Service Start: Nov. 20, 2025
Detroit (DTW) to/from Houston (IAH)
Service Start: Nov. 21, 2025
Detroit (DTW) to/from Miami (MIA)
Service Start: Nov. 21, 2025
Detroit (DTW) to/from New Orleans (MSY)
Service Start: Feb. 12, 2026
Intro Fare: price not listed
Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to/from Chicago (ORD)
Service Start: Nov. 20, 2025
Houston (IAH) to/from Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
Service Start: Nov. 22, 2025
Houston (IAH) to Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA)
Service Start: Dec. 18, 2025
Houston (IAH) to/from New Orleans (MSY)
Service Start: Feb. 13, 2026
Intro Fare: price not listed
Houston (IAH) to/from Philadelphia (PHL)
Service Start: Nov. 21, 2025
Houston (IAH) to San Salvador, El Salvador (SAL)
Service Start: Dec. 19, 2025
Houston (IAH) to San Pedro Sula, Honduras (SAP)
Service Start: Dec. 20, 2025
What’s happening to Spirit Airlines?
Frontier stock (ULCC) rose 11% after the announcement on Tuesday, Aug. 26. Spirit Airlines’ stock (FLYY) was up over 6% on Aug. 26.
Spirit Airlines emerged from bankruptcy in March after struggling to generate sufficient funds to continue operations.
In Spirit Airlines’ quarterly filing from Aug. 11, the company said that while it was successful in satisfying its debt obligations, it has “continued to be affected by adverse market conditions, including elevated domestic capacity and continued weak demand for domestic leisure travel in the second quarter of 2025, resulting in a challenging pricing environment.”
The filing continued: “As a result, the company continues to experience challenges and uncertainties in its business operations.”
Company leaders are now taking measures to generate more cash, which may include selling aircraft, real estate and excess airport gate capacity. Spirit announced in July that it would be furloughing 270 pilots, beginning Nov. 1.
Additionally, “the company is in discussions with various stakeholders related to some of these future initiatives,” according to the filing.
What does this mean for Frontier Airlines?
The news of Frontier Airlines establishing routes at Spirit hubs prompted rumors of a potential merger. Speaking to CNBC on Tuesday, Aug. 26, Biffle said: “I’m not here to talk about (mergers and acquisitions).” However, he said he expects Frontier to pick up most of Spirit’s market share if the company shuts down.
In its filing, Spirit said: “There is substantial doubt as to the company’s ability to continue as a going concern within 12 months from the date these financial statements are issued.”
Spirit reported a loss of $245.8 million in the second quarter.
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Frontier Airlines adds 20 new routes, some based at Spirit hubs