Fly, Frontier, FLY! The Top 6 Things that Make Frontier Airlines the Best Commercial Airlines Today

Frontier Airlines was in the news this week with Southwest’s surprise $113.6 million bid to acquire it in bankruptcy court.  Since the company defaulted into bankruptcy in 2008, it has remained steadfast in saying it would reduce costs and emerge intact, initially touting plans to do so this summer. And until yesterday it seemed that might just happen. But this new competitive bid could turn that all upside down.

So as I sit here pondering life in Denver without Frontier Airlines, I found myself melancholy considering its possible demise. And while it maybe too much, too little, too late, I’d like to share the top six reasons I think Frontier Airlines is the best commercial airlines in the market today. 

1) Low cost does not mean poor service

In a nutshell, what differentiates Frontier IS the market position they have aspired to own. They are competitively priced airlines with strong service philosophy. And if this alone can’t keep them afloat it’s a shame – because this is a market space nobody else is filling well.  Yes, I can fly Southwest for $10 less, but when on business, I want a comfortable, solitary, no-nonsense flight and I’m willing to pay for it.  I don’t want to sit alongside Marty and his family of 5 sticky-faced kids headed to neither Disneyland – nor fly on the Las Vegas party bus where I’m asked to join in on a sing-along.  I want a business atmosphere and Frontier provides that.  

2) Their people are humans, not cranky robots

If you’re a frequent flier, you’ve undoubtedly witnessed the dramatic decline in airline employee attitudes over the last few stressful years.  With the move toward automation and the attempt to squeeze costs (read people) out of the process, the airlines have turned their remaining few employees on-hand into overworked, disenchanted, unhelpful inane rule-enforcing shadows of their former customer-friendly selves. It’s as if, not unlike the Grinch, their shoes are just a little too tight and it’s given them an edge they cannot shake despite their forced smiles and canned greetings.

But not at Frontier Airlines.  From the moment I pick up the phone to the time I exit the plane, I continue to have a friendly, human experience with each employee when I fly on Frontier. You can tell they believe in the company, its purpose and have pride in their work that has become almost extinct in the airlines industry. 

3) Friendly voices answer their phones

Ok United I’m picking on you.  When I call Frontier, I don’t get immediately routed to “Shirley” in India, I don’t reach full voice mail boxes after 10 minutes on hold, and when I am looking to finally cash in my hard earned miles, I can talk to a person who is willing to get me a flight.  Halleluiah! This alone almost makes me cry tears of joy.

4) Legroom + Creature Comforts

I’ll start by saying Frontier was the first to offer DirecTV on every seat, which is nice when you want it.  But more importantly I’m talking about seat comfort and legroom, an area where Frontier really shines. With two additional inches in seat space (33” vs. 31”) of legroom over most airlines tp://www.cheapflights.com/travel-tips/legroom-guide/ and seats that support and cushion you properly, it’s a world of difference.  Flying on other airlines, most of the time I feel like my seat was previously occupied by a 350 lb sumo wrestler who test rode it hard it for six months straight.  Can we just agree that a 135 lb woman’s butt should not bottom out an airline seat?  Frontier gets this and has built its cabins for people, not cattle.

5) They get me to the beach in time for lunch

 Denver may not be seaside, but Frontier has flights that will put my toes in the sand by lunchtime across Mexico.  From Cabo san Lucas to Puerto Vallarta and anywhere in between. I can be shopping for silver and sipping a margarita beachside by 1:30 pm most any day of the week.  I’m kicking myself now that I don’t take advantage of this more often. 

6) They’re smart enough to call Denver home

While some folks have a rabid fanaticism for local sports teams, I prefer to root for local companies. Afterall, we share a big secret – knowing that Colorado is an awesome place to live.  Denver enjoys an almost perfect climate, and is home to the most educated and fit people in the nation.  Unfortunately it is NOT home to many large headquartered companies, so we need to protect and encourage those who choose to put their roots here. 

Frontier, we love you – please don’t go away!  Perhaps we’ve taken you for granted, or not shown our loyalty to you enough and this is one reason you are now suffering.  I admit I’m guilty of whoring myself out to the cheapest airfare option from time to time, but I’d like to say that from this moment forward I’m going to put my values above my dollar whenever possible. And maybe if we all stand up for what we believe in like this, our society will benefit.

For now suffice it to say… fly, Frontier, FLY!