Scoop: Frontier Airlines Plans First Class Service—Not Just Bigger Seats

Frontier Airlines is planning more than a bigger seat for first class. A new memo tells flight attendants that first class service standards are coming for flights beginning March 5, 2027, the same day its new front cabin launches. This follows my original scoop, since confirmed by the airline, that Frontier’s first class rolls out March 5, 2027. Under “Onboard service,” the airline now says: Our standard onboard services apply through March 4, 2027. New First Class service standards will be released for flights on and after March 5, 2027. This is a move toward a real first class service, and away from the Spirit Airlines ‘Big Front Seat’ approach to just selling more space. This hasn’t been announced publicly yet. The airline’s first class frequently asked questions, updated just yesterday, still says food and beverages are available for purchase. Specific standards are still to come. Frontier Has Confirmed The March 5 Launch Frontier originally announced first class in December 2024 for late 2025. Last month I reported that aircraft conversions were beginning, with the bigger seats sold as UpFront Plus during the transition. So getting the seat before the March 5 official launch doesn’t mean getting new service with it. Frontier publicly announced first class reservations on November 10, confirming March 5 travel and targeting that date for completion of the seating conversion: Eight first class seats: two rows in a 2-by-2 configuration, with up to 37 inches of pitch. More extra legroom: rows three through eight will offer up to 34 inches of pitch. UpFront Plus, with its blocked middle seat, continues in select rows. A First bundle advertised from $129 one way: first class seating, a carry-on, two checked bags and priority boarding. A Premium bundle advertised from $90 one way: extra legroom seating, a carry-on and priority boarding. The introductory offer requires buying the flight and bundle together by November 16, for select nonstop domestic departures March 5–April 5, 2027. And these seats still don’t recline. Frontier describes them as “pre-reclined,” which means you can’t adjust the seatback. Power And Wi-Fi Are Coming Frontier now says USB-C charging will be offered in the first eight rows, not throughout the full coach cabin. Both power and Starlink wi-fi will roll out during 2027. Frontier’s new renderings show the charging setup: I’ve said that the lack of inflight internet has kept me from flying Frontier. Giving up hours of work can make the cheapest ticket actually more expensive. A bigger seat, power and working wi-fi make a big difference in my willingness to buy travel from them. Their operational reliability, however, is still a caution. Including drinks and food makes sense as it tries to have a product customers interested in a better experience will buy. They’ve had largely the cheap offerings but not the revenue opportunities from further upsells. It’s still not clear what the service standards will mean or translate into in the cabin. Unfortunately, for bookings made starting January 1, 2027, elite frequent flyers will only be eligible for complimentary upgrades to first class if they buy a bundle. And top tier Diamonds only qualify 24 hours prior to departure (18 for Platinum, 8 for Gold, and 4 for Silver). Topics on this page