Frontier Airlines is OK for Short Flights
Seriously?
The Frontier staff at both LAX and DEN were exceptionally nice. I am handicapped and had been assigned an emergency exit seat for the first leg of my journey. The LAX staff was fairly quick to pull me away from the e-ticket machine and give me personal attention on the seat change. They brought up a wheel chair quick, and got me through security rapidly.
Boarding at LAX was very fast and efficient, but not at DEN. They were nice enough in Denver, don't get me wrong, but this was onto a very small commuter plane which meant climbing stairs to board. They did not have the ramp handy and I had to climb the stairs. Not a problem for most people, but it is if you are handicapped. After I was already boarded, they brought the ramp. DOH!
The seats on both Frontier planes were a bit worn, but surprising comfortable. Well ok, comfortable for my 5'2 self on short flights. Had my 6'6 husband been with me, he would have had major problems with the seating. Of course, if that were the case, we would have kept the emergency exit seats. Airlines usually let me sit in those with him there as he can pop those doors in a heartbeat if need be.
My main problem with Frontier is the on-board entertainment. Most airlines incorporate this in the price of the tickets. Part of the reason Frontier is cheaper than most other domestic U.S. airlines is that they charge extra for everything... and I do mean every little thing. They kind of remind me of Ryanair in that respect, only nobody warned me about that when I booked these tickets. So, you have to swipe your credit card on the back of the seat to watch anything on that screen, including just the in-flight map thingy. That irritated me no end.
Then there was the food. On these short flights Frontier has no real food service, just the usual drinks and snacks... which you will pay for if you want them. I think it was like 2 or 3 USD for a soda. I was starving and wanted one of the sandwich deals they have listed in the magazine. They had none available on either of these flights. FAIL. I ended up buying one of the listed large snack boxes instead. It was ok, but it was not a sandwich.
When I arrived at Denver my wheelchair was already there waiting for me, but not when I arrived at OKC. I am not sure though if that wheelchair service is a function of the individual airlines or of the airport, so I don't hold that against them.
So, Frontier Airlines had several fails, but the staff was always so upbeat and friendly that they almost made up for it. Would I use Frontier again next time I'm flying around the USA visiting my scattered children? Probably so. They are cheap... so yes for a short hop, but I would not use them for a coast-to-coast flight.
Published by Lori Leidig
US citizen living in Sweden; Retired shrink cum criminologist who is now trying to string two coherent words together for various publications. View profile
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11 Comments
Post a CommentI wanted to like this airline but ended up hating it. I had a horrendous trip on Frontier this past week from SFO to Indianapolis. My outbound flight from SFO was delayed by 2 hours (they blamed weather), causing me to miss my connecting flight in Denver. By the time I got to Indy I was 4 hours late. But wait, it gets better. My return flight was delayed by 8 hours due to a mechanical problem. The only choice of connecting flight they gave me departed Denver at 8:30 am. So I was expected by Frontier to get up at 5:30 am after getting to the comped hotel at 2:30 am. Gee thanks Frontier for giving me a whole 2.5 hours of sleep. But wait, it gets even better! The outbound flight from Denver to SFO ALSO had mechanical problems. That caused another 2 hour delay. But wait, that's not enough torture already. Upon landing at SFO we have to wait on the runway another 15 minutes while we waited for Frontier's one and only operational gate to become free. BUTTTTT, I still love flying Fro
I would agree, Frontier isn't bad for short hops...if flying to DEN from here my first choice is Alaska Airlines. As for the wheelchair, it's a combination of airline and airport working together, so the breakdown could have come from either. That said, a good gate agent is aware, if the WC notes are in the system, to ensure it's there.
Thanks for the warning.
What happened to my comment? IT was that before the general degradation of the flying experience, back when food was routinely served on domestic flights, Frontier was tops. Alas, that was then, and this is now...
It's hard to find a good one.
I do understand that the cost of fuel has seriously affected airlines, so I suppose we have to do without what once was standard. I loved flying; but with all the security, waiting, confiscating cuticle scissors, hair picks and stuff, I will take the Grayhound as horrid as that experience can be.
Maybe we have been spoiled being given entertainment and meals to complain about on flights; but it is like going to a movie, ticket prices rise, so do snacks which were already overpriced. Snack bags of chips and stuff should sell for 99 cents, just like at the mini-marts. An economy flight should have economy priced sandwiches. To ask people to pay to watch the in-flight thingy is outrageous. Last time I flew we were not allowed to bring our own drinks or bottled water on board and much more cost efficeint to purchase at store than on board.
As an employee, I am glad to hear that you had a somewhat good experience on our airline. We try to treat all passengers with respect and provide extra care when necessary.
Just a few things to note: We never charge for soda/juice/water. Snacks are available on most flights for $3.00, longer flights have salads/sandwiches for $6-7. and yes to watch 24 live channels of TV does cost 6$, but it is so worth it on a 2+hour flight. When you purchase a ticket on frontierairlines.com next time you can bundle all of those fees into the price of your ticket. Check it out next time.
But then again, most people just want to fly for cheap.
Have a good trip!
thanks for the article,
I've not used Frontier Airlines before. Thanks for the warning.
Sophie