Frontier Airlines Picks Up Eight Former Spirit Routes as Budget Carrier Reshuffle Continues

Frontier Airlines has begun flying eight routes recently dropped by Spirit Airlines, expanding its footprint in markets where the two ultra-low-cost carriers have long competed. The move follows Spirit's continued network trimming as it works through financial restructuring, and it gives travelers a new option on several leisure-focused city pairs.

The Denver-based carrier confirmed the additions cover a mix of domestic and international destinations, with a heavy focus on Florida, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Frontier has been steadily picking up slots and routes that Spirit has vacated over the past year as part of its broader strategy to grow in high-demand vacation markets.

What Frontier Is Adding

According to reporting from AirlineGeeks and Aviation Source News, Frontier launched service on eight routes previously flown by Spirit. The new routes connect key Frontier hubs and focus cities, including Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Atlanta, and San Juan, with destinations across the Caribbean and Central America.

The routes Frontier is now operating include:

• Atlanta (ATL) to San Pedro Sula (SAP), Honduras
• Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Armenia (AXM), Colombia
• Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Barranquilla (BAQ), Colombia
• Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Bucaramanga (BGA), Colombia
• Orlando (MCO) to Guatemala City (GUA), Guatemala
• Orlando (MCO) to San Pedro Sula (SAP), Honduras
• San Juan (SJU) to Medellin (MDE), Colombia
• San Juan (SJU) to Punta Cana (PUJ), Dominican Republic

Most of the new services operate on a limited weekly schedule rather than daily, which is consistent with Frontier's low-frequency, low-cost model designed to fill aircraft on peak travel days.

Flight Schedule

Here is a snapshot of the operating details for the new Frontier services based on the carrier's published schedule.

Travelers should confirm exact times and frequencies at booking, as Frontier regularly adjusts schedules based on seasonal demand.

Why Frontier Is Moving Now

Spirit Airlines has been reducing its network as it navigates a second Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and restructures its operations. The carrier has pulled out of several international markets and cut frequencies on domestic routes where it faces heavy competition. That has opened up gate space, slots, and passenger demand that Frontier has been quick to absorb.

Frontier and Spirit came close to merging in 2022 before JetBlue outbid Frontier for Spirit. The JetBlue-Spirit deal later collapsed after a federal court blocked it on antitrust grounds. Since then, Frontier has continued to expand independently, adding capacity in markets where Spirit has retreated.

For Frontier, picking up former Spirit routes fits its strategy of chasing leisure demand with low base fares and ancillary revenue. The airline has been vocal about targeting travelers who prioritize price over amenities, and the new international routes fit that profile with strong visiting-friends-and-relatives traffic between the United States and Latin America.

What It Means for Travelers

If you regularly fly between South Florida and Colombia, or use San Juan as a gateway to the Caribbean and South America, you now have another low-cost option. Fares on Frontier typically start well below those of legacy carriers, though optional fees for seat selection, carry-on bags, and checked luggage can add up quickly.

Frequent flyers should note that Frontier operates its Frontier Miles program, which differs from Spirit's Free Spirit program. If you were relying on Spirit miles or status for these routes, you will need to start fresh or transfer credit card points to Frontier's partners.

For travelers in Puerto Rico, the addition of daily service between San Juan and Punta Cana is notable. It gives residents and visitors a short, low-cost hop between the two islands, a market that Spirit had cultivated over several years. The new San Juan to Medellin route also restores a nonstop connection between Puerto Rico and one of Colombia's largest cities.

Broader Network Picture

Frontier's Latin America and Caribbean network has grown steadily over the past two years. The carrier now serves destinations across Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and parts of South America, with San Juan emerging as a key focus city.

Barry Biffle, Frontier's CEO, has previously said the airline sees room to grow in international leisure markets where legacy carriers charge higher fares. The Spirit route additions are consistent with that approach, targeting markets with proven demand and limited low-cost competition following Spirit's retrenchment.

Whether Frontier can sustain profitable service on all eight routes remains to be seen. Some of the markets Spirit dropped were reportedly underperforming, and Frontier will need to manage capacity carefully to avoid the same outcome. Still, for now, the added flights give travelers more choice and potentially lower fares on routes that had been at risk of losing service entirely.

Bookings for the new routes are open on Frontier's website, with introductory fares available on select dates.