Frontier Airlines raised eyebrows three years ago when they said they didn’t want to use jet bridges anymore at their home base in Denver. Now they say they want to move “as close to 100% ground loading as possible” across all of their airports over the next few years, calling jet bridges “the kiss of death” for fast turns.
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Denver opened a new A-East facility with 14 aircraft positions purpose-built with Frontier that fully opened a year ago. They were already operating out of Austin’s South Terminal, which doesn’t have jetbridges. Denver is cold in the winter, Austin hot in the summer. Neither is ideal for passenger comfort, but Frontier itself is not designed for passenger comfort.
- Using air stairs instead of jet bridges lets you do Dual-door boarding and deplaning – two sets of stairs, one each at the front and rear of the aircraft. That means faster boarding and deplaning, which means less time between flights. Planes only make money when they’re in the air.
- And air stairs are cheaper, since many airports charge extra for jet bridge use.
- You can also run more flights per gate. You need more aircraft positions, usually not more gates, to increase capacity.
- And jet bridges fail and block a departure, while stairs and ramps are modular.
An ultra-low cost airline operates in ways that make it more efficient, with passenger experience and behavior conforming to the airline’s convenience in exchange for low fares rather than the airline conforming to passenger comfort to attract business. So snow, wind, rain, and summer heat are all now part of the boarding experience for Frontier.
Boarding from an apron position (often involving a bus) and boarding via stairs is much more common in Europe and in Asia than the United States, although several airports have this for regional jet operations. Much of the time it’s fine, but in bad weather not as much.
And in places like Denver it is simultaneously a reason I prefer not to fly Frontier (along with their not offering wifi) given that they eschew jet bridges even where other airlines use them and it is a reason why they are successful: they know who they are and keep a tight lid on costs, a contrast to Spirit which inaugurated a new corporate campus last year a mere couple of months before entering their first bankruptcy.
My favorite US airport for boarding and deplaning is BUR exactly because Southwest uses both doors- it makes it so much faster. And I feel like there’s nothing cooler than boarding through the back as you get to walk along the whole plane on your way there.
No problem. I flew in July on Frontier from Cleveland to Fort Myers, FL. That flight was a complete disaster from beginning to end. Delayed departure with no notice nor explanation at any time. No Frontier Agent at the gate until literally minutes before departure. I paid extra for a seat described as a more comfortable seat only to find it a horrendous experience from which I have not yet fully recovered. The seat cushion did not fit and was not secure, with a metal object attacking my tailbone for the entire experience. AC cranked to the MAX and no possible way to escape the deep freeze.
Frontier Airlines no longer exists in my world and it is hoped they will no longer exist period. One of the Flight Attendants actually screamed at a Passenger who was attempting to get up to use the Lavatory. Sad excuse for an Airline.
You do not know what “air stairs” are. Frontier does not have a single aeroplane equipped with such. You are thinking of “boarding stairs.”
Do your research properly before you start cutting and pasting on your word processor.
We have used those front ramps a bunch and they are way better than the simple stairs used in Europe. Only thing is Frontier hasn’t actually started boarding in the back yet. Assume not enough stairs. Either way it’s not as bad as its made out and if they keep fares low and stay in biz that’s all that matters.
I have used stairs and ramps in central and northern Europe during winter and its not apocalyptic. As you pointed out, it’s not just Ryanair, Wizz and EasyJet….Lufty, SAS and AF do it. Ramp is extra vigilant about keeping surfaces treated.
Where its going to get interesting is the nature of wx on the front range. Micro storms blow up in seconds with winds, lightning and hail while it’s severe clear 6 gates down. I was boarding a UA plane years ago when a gust knocked the jet way several feet (with people in it) and smashed the door causing a cancelation. Now what would happen in that scenario with scores of pax on the ramp unprotected.
I’ve deplaned on stairs with snow falling. Not a big deal.
Nice! I love walking straight across the tarmac. It’s s rare treat.
How do they handle wheelchair passengers? I think this slow things down.
Winter in the city of Denver can be pleasant.
But to have an airline tell you that you need to board outside in winter?
No f’ing way!
This is not Miami D60 in the spring.
It’s not just wheelchair-bound passengers; many people find stairs difficult or inaccessible. In Europe, I have experienced boarding with stairs on the tarmac with no problem. However, as long as other airlines in America use jetways, customers are likely to use this when choosing an airline.
The US has more overweight passengers than Europe or Asia. I’ve seen them struggle on these outdoor stairs.
Whether flying JSX, Alaska, or Southwest…love boarding Casablanca style via air/ boarding stairs at my favorite California airports: BUR, CCR, LGB, & STS.
There was a time when most carriers even handed out airline-branded umbrellas for inclement wx.
All well and good until passengers are walking through the deicing fluid then carrying the ethylene glycol on the boarding stairs, into the aircraft. Lawyers are wringing their hands in wild anticipation.
I prefer the ramp boarding and walking to the aircraft…from the terminal adjacent to the plane……
However, i absolutely hate the need to use busses…..I cant stand the bus gates…..FRA and BER seem to be the worst offenders in Europe….what a nightmare of inefficiency (really Germany).
Oh, come now… a little ‘light’ exercise won’t hurt…
It is true that ditching jet bridges prevents delays from failing ones, or when none are available. However it is possible to have front boarding and deplaning through a jet bridge and rear deplaning using steps. The DCA/LGA shuttle used to have this. I wouldn’t like to have to walk outside in the freezing cold in order to leave or get on my plane.
So how do they accommodate the disabled passengers (not talking about Southwest Miracle Heal flyers)?
Paid $300 for a go wild pass and each subsequent flight is $15 in taxes/fees. I’ve paid more for local subways. Stairs are such a hard thing to complain about when your Uber to the airport costs more.
For us frequent Frontier flyers that fly in and out of Denver we call it the dungeon. They literally keep this part of the a terminal. Hotter than anywhere else is very little accommodations and you’re stuffed in there. Then again, if you paid $16 for a plane ticket, what do you expect?
Must be nice when its pouring raining then you get to sit wearing drenched clothes for the next 3 hours. Don’t fool yourself, these ghetto gates ate the product of cheap airlines that service the $9 crowd. If they’re too cheap to rent a jetway for your comfort, they’re likely too cheap to properly fix aircraft maintenance issues.
I’m surprised that Frontier calculates the lack of bridges will save on staff. Having travelled extensively over the years on flights served by Q400’s and Brasilias, it seems like there was always staff standing on the ramp to make sure passengers didn’t wander out of the “lane” and to be aware of jet blast from other planes pushing back.
No jet bridges would certainly save on rent, but I can’t see how it will save on personnel costs unless they are planning to do what they did with the turboprops-use one gate for multiple flights.
I’ve used Frontier’s stairs in DEN and they’re OK, but not great, for able-bodied passengers. But these stairs offer an inferior experience to traditional jetways. Everyone in the US airline industry — including Frontier — now recognizes that most Americans want more quality in their airline experience, and are not chasing a bargain basement price for inferior service. Heck, Frontier is adding first class. I’m not sure anything will keep Frontier in business over the long term, but it would seem that their use of stairs inconsistent with their other service initiatives.
This headline is straight click-bait. If being exposed to the elements is as bad as you make it sound, you probably wouldn’t want to fly on that day anyways. I for one enjoy cheap air fares – and I see no reason why we can’t enjoy the benefits of lower cost airfares (like Europe) with the exact same trade-offs (like Europe).
I flew Frontier Denver to Madison on Labor day weekend. Yes, those ramps are a pain and there were plenty of people struggling with the walk up them. But if you can make it from the front of DIA all the way to gate 72 without dying, you are probably not going to care about going up the boarding ramp!
How long does it take a haul a wheelchair up those air stairs?
No big deal!!
Have used my share of remote stations at European airports.
Also, DCA used Gate 35X for its regional flights till the additional to Terminal 2.
You will not melt if it rains!!!
This won’t work in Florida, where half the passengers are in wheelchairs. Plus the heat and rain – it will mean I will never fly Frontier. Never.