Frontier Airlines is getting wifi!
Over the summer it was reported that Frontier was evaluating options for inflight connectivity. And their desire to “get into” connectivity “the Frontier way” was reported back in May though they had a concern about lack of “competitive pressure driving down cost” and that they were looking at an advertiser-supported model of free wifi.
Now, it seems, there are firm plans. Frontier Airlines CEO took to LinkedIn soliciting frequent flyer program member stories.
Would especially love to hear from our new Platinum Elites who get unlimited companion travel for free and get upgraded for free 80pct of the time.
When a customer replied, “Please bring wifi to your flights!” Biffle confirmed “it’s coming.”
I love the idea of Frontier Airlines. They know their customer, and they stick to their focus on costs. Spirit Airlines lost the plot, opening an expensive new corporate campus. Frontier does flight attendant training at a truck stop in Wyoming. That’s crucial for their low fare model.
But I never want to fly them, and it isn’t because of their tightest in the industry seat pitch. I can buy extra legroom seats and a blocked middle seat! And the uncomfortable seat itself is fine for a short trip.
To me, the key issue is wifi. The savings I’d get with Frontier aren’t worth giving up productivity for the length of the trip. It costs me more than the difference in fare. A Frontier with wifi on the other hand would open them up as an option.
I recall Scott Kirby in March 2012 at the Phoenix Aviation Symposium explaining why U.S. Airways had finally decided to install Gogo’s air to ground internet. For the longest time they were convinced they would never make enough money selling inflight wifi to cover its cost. It was when they finally saw in the data that customers were booking away from them to choose other airlines with internet that they finally pulled the trigger. Frontier must finally see the same thing.
Years ago Biffle said he’d add Starlink when it got cheap. But that was before it became the consensus that the post-Covid trend towards premium would be enduring. Perhaps Frontier is seeing a confluence between customer demand and lower-cost installs. I look forward to seeing what system they select and the timeline for rollout.
Nothing can compete with Starlink on cost. Nor on the probability that the provider will remain in business for the life of the aircraft.
Technology that allows an increase in the number of livestreamed inflight fistfights is good in my book.
Brilliant Barry Biffle! He boldly blames the budget bag-dodgers, because bags bring billions, but buying bandwidth brings bigger bucks!