Frontier Airlines plans to introduce "first class-style" seats in late 2025.
Renderings show wide-bodied seats that will be configured in the standard domestic first-class formation of two seats on each side of the aisle. They'll occupy the first two rows of Frontier planes.
The airline aims to retrofit its entire Airbus fleet with the wide seat by the end of next year. It hasn't revealed how much legroom those rows will have. The seats will be a spacious 21 inches in width from mid-armrest to mid-armrest.
Rival budget airline Spirit has a similar product, the Big Front Seat, in the plane's first two rows. Big Front Seats are 18.5 inches wide and offer 36 inches of legroom.
The continued remaking of Frontier
Earlier this year, Frontier began an initiative -- called "The New Frontier" -- to increase its appeal to premium flyers, and the new seats will be the initiative's first physical change to aircraft interiors. In May, Frontier introduced a merchandising model that moved bundled fares to the front of the booking path. Meanwhile, Frontier de-emphasized what long has been its bread and butter -- basic fares and the separate upcharges for ancillary items such as carry-on bags, checked bags and seat selection.
Frontier introduced new bundles, most notably the business bundle, which blocks the middle seat in two of the three extra-legroom rows that currently occupy the front of Frontier planes. The product, called UpFront Plus, will be moved to rows 3 and 4 with the retrofit. Frontier has not said whether those rows will be spaced more widely than the 28 inches that separate the rows of standard Frontier seats.
A faster path to lofty status
Besides the first class-style seat, Frontier announced loyalty program enhancements on Tuesday. Especially notable will be unlimited companion travel for Frontier Miles members at the top two status levels -- Diamond Elite and Platinum Elite. The perk will be available for one companion on any flight.
Frontier also will offer free upgrades to the first class-style seat and UpFront Plus on every flight to Diamond, Platinum and Gold elite members, subject to availability. Currently, those same members can receive upgrades to Frontier's extra-legroom seats.
New promotions will help customers reach elevated status much more quickly. Flyers who earn 20,000 points between now and April 30, either by flying or by using a Frontier co-branded Mastercard, will achieve Platinum Elite, a status that typically requires 50,000 points. Points are rewarded at a rate of 10 per dollar spent.
Through the end of January, Frontier is also offering up to 100,000 points for individuals who currently have another airline credit card and sign up for the Frontier card.