Is Frontier really that awful?

[Dis703]

Looking at booking a crazy cheap flight to Orlando just for one night. I only considered it because the cost is ridiculously cheap. Reading reviews there are a ton of complaints about this airline but most seem to be related to the way they charge for everything. I don't need any of those extras as far as I can tell so that's not an issue for me.

Has anyone here flown them before? Aside from the extra charges was it a good/bad experience?

TIA!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Do a search of this forum; this has been discussed many times.

 

[Unas]

It wasn't as agonizing as Spirit.

 

[nj disney family]

We've flown frontier twice out of philly. Once to Punta Cana. once to orlando. No issues at all.

 

[Dis703]

Do a search of this forum; this has been discussed many times.

Hmm, I guess I didn't look far enough or use the right words because I didn't find all that much. Thanks though I will try again.

 

[Dis703]

Well I went with it so we'll see. I found a couple coworkers who used them and said they always check them first. The airport is a tad further but as a tiny airport with only two gates they said they don't have to be there as early as flying from the international one we'd normally go to. They said it's bare bones but never had an issues too which was nice to hear. Of course I know you only tend to hear complaints online but wow, the reviews were awful.

With it being an overnight trip I won't even need any baggage just my one personal item and as I understand tv, drinks, etc. all cost extra so I'm prepared.

Hoping for the best. Thanks for the responses.

 

[LadyBeBop]

It's a good bare bones airlines. My daughter booked one way from Orlando to Cincinnati for $79. She needed to get home a day earlier. No luggage, just a purse for carry-on. No problems.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Hmm, I guess I didn't look far enough or use the right words because I didn't find all that much. Thanks though I will try again.

Here:

http://www.disboards.com/search/13353029/?q=Frontier+airlines&t=post&o=date&c[title_only]=1

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

They're one of our favored airlines. Flew them nonstop to MCO last Autumn. We paid the bit extra for the classic plus seating and had complementary drinks, free checked bag and extra leg room. The crew was fantastic and hilarious with the safety spiel.

 

[goofy4tink]

My dh has flown with them for work in the past. Every time he has to fly now, he groans!! Not once has he flown on Frontier that there hasn't been a delay, a cancellation, whatever. Granted, he was flying to smaller airports, but seriously....if they have to delay or cancel a flight due to weather, there is going to be a huge issue getting to your destination.

 

[GreatLakes]

I flew then into MCO this past June and there was no problem what so ever. I booked a direct flight and it took off and landed on time. It is a small sample size but based on my experience I would happily fly them again.

 

[Ranger111]

My wife refuses to ever fly with them again. Me, I am not so "anti," but I am known to walk a mile to save a nickel. That might give you some clues.

Used to be my fave. Last few times I flew, I felt as if I was nothing but a bother to the employees. Of course, I usually fly out of their Denver hub. Things could be different elsewhere.

And DON'T expect ANY leeway on anything, such as carry-ons, etc. I actually agree with that stormtrooper approach of theirs....

 

[GrumpyBa*D]

i've flown them a couple times the last 16 months or so. They do run some great fares if you are flexible but....
just be cognizant of the fact that they usually only have one flight a day to /fro from the smaller airports if you are delayed or much worse cancelled you may never get out or back in our case. they couldn't careless about rebooking you and try to rebook yourself along with a plane full of people with their lousy website. Pray for good weather and a mechanically sound plane. I've too gotten the impression that passengers are an inconvenience but that can be any airline. even with all this I use them for flights to CLT and cheap last minute getaways MCO> hope you have a good experience

 

[Madzac]

They are the only airline I've flown I will never fly again. We flew them to CA a few years ago. Coming back we got stuck in Denver on a Sat after a delayed flight out of LAX caused us to miss our connection. We were told we wold have to be standby as they had nothing available until the following TUESDAY! Sat 12 hrs in the airport with 3 small children only to take a shuttle to a hotel for 6 hrs sleep and be back again at 530am. It was awful. We did eventually get out standby on Sunday but everyone we dealt with was rude! (The first standby flight had room for half our family so I simply turned around to ask DH if we should do it and the gate agent screamed at me to get on or she would call the next on the list!) It was seriously so bad I will pay more to fly anyone else.

 

[Ranger111]

.... but everyone we dealt with was rude! (The first standby flight had room for half our family so I simply turned around to ask DH if we should do it and the gate agent screamed at me to get on or she would call the next on the list!) It was seriously so bad I will pay more to fly anyone else.

Yep, rude, uncaring and not helpful. But cheap....of course they changed their pay structure when they went to the Ultra Low Cost Carrier model, which probably explains a lot of that attitude.

 

[ColoradoDis]

They announced on 10/6 that they are cutting back on flights from Denver - their "hometown" airport - http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_28928851/frontier-wants-right-size-at-dia-return-6

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

We booked a flight with them and a week before our return flight I found out on my own, that our return flight was cancelled. I had just looked the day before and it was there! I was informed that they decided not to fly to ATL that day! Frontier never called to tell me. Thankfully I was considering purchasing my seat assignments when I discovered this

 

[nkereina]

As mentioned, I think one of their biggest problems is that there are frequent delays and cancellations. With them being a small fleet and no frills, it doesn't give you much to work with to get on another flight. They fly out of Niagara Falls here but it's something like one flight per day and every other day, or something. If your flight is cancelled, you may have to wait 2-4 days to get on the next one. But that would be less of a concern if you're flying to/from cities that have more frequent flights with them.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Wow - I used to fly Frontier a lot about 8 to 10 years ago and liked them a lot. Of course the charge for everything had not started yet (which I detest on all the airlines that have fees for anything and everything). They had footrests which make an airline seat much more bearable and the tv was free. But the pulled out of Reno a few years ago and I have not flown them since.

 

[Ranger111]

Wow - I used to fly Frontier a lot about 8 to 10 years ago and liked them a lot. Of course the charge for everything had not started yet (which I detest on all the airlines that have fees for anything and everything). They had footrests which make an airline seat much more bearable and the tv was free. But the pulled out of Reno a few years ago and I have not flown them since.

A decade ago, they were a decent carrier.

I used Frontier at least once a month, sometimes two or three times per month. Frontier did all they could to make it the best they could. However, they started losing $$$$. Lots of $$$$. It was either fold or change.

They were passed around got a whole new packet of executives and decided that the American public, despite all their crying and whining about hating discount no-frills airlines would still put up with the hassles if they were able to save a few nickles.

So, they went the ULLC route, cut services, cut pay and have been flying high ever since. Can't argue with success.

A link to a article that talks about their profits and their complaints.

http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2015/04/30/ceo-frontier-airlines-flies-from-verge-of.html