Frontier Airlines: Difference between revisions
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{{ | {{CompanyCargo | ||
| | |Description= | ||
| | |Founded=1994 | ||
| | |Industry=Airlines, Aviation | ||
| | |Logo=Frontier Airlines logo.png | ||
| | |ParentCompany= | ||
|Type=Public | |||
|Website=https://flyfrontier.com/ | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Frontier Airlines, Inc.'''] is a major American airline known for its ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) model. In spite of its no-frills approach to air travel, Frontier Airlines has faced increasing criticism from consumers, journalists, advocacy groups, and the media for its unfair business practices. In 2023, Frontier Airlines was the most complained-about airline.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Murphy |first=Alex |date=16 May 2025 |title=Airline complaints hit record high, but a new report has tips to avoid travel headaches |url=https://www.kunc.org/news/2025-05-16/airline-complaints-hit-record-high-but-a-new-report-has-tips-to-avoid-travel-headaches |url-status=live |access-date=9 Jun 2025 |work=NPS News, Colorado |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250723160818/https://www.kunc.org/news/2025-05-16/airline-complaints-hit-record-high-but-a-new-report-has-tips-to-avoid-travel-headaches |archive-date=23 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Grubola |first=Heather |date=1 Aug 2024 |title=Pa. woman frustrated with Frontier after getting involuntarily bumped from flight |url=https://6abc.com/post/berks-county-woman-frustrated-frontier-airlines-after-getting-involuntarily-bumped-flight/15133908/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250512212909/https://6abc.com/post/berks-county-woman-frustrated-frontier-airlines-after-getting-involuntarily-bumped-flight/15133908/ |archive-date=12 May 2025 |access-date=9 Jun 2025 |work=6abc Action News}}</ref> Since 2022, Frontier Airlines received almost 6,500 BBB complaints, many of which consisted of specific issues like "customer service," "repair."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Frontier Airlines, Inc. |url=https://www.bbb.org/us/co/denver/profile/airlines/frontier-airlines-inc-1296-55000095/complaints |url-status=live |access-date=9 Jun 2025 |website=Better Business Bureau |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223044912/https://www.bbb.org/us/co/denver/profile/airlines/frontier-airlines-inc-1296-55000095/complaints |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> Frontier Airlines customers have heavily-criticized the airline because of its history of prioritizing profits over passengers due to the airline's deceptive and exploitive business practices. | |||
==Consumer | ==Consumer impact summary== | ||
Over the years, Frontier Airlines has earned itself a budget-focused reputation because of its controversial business practices and business operations. The most well-known of these issues are: | Over the years, Frontier Airlines has earned itself a budget-focused reputation because of its controversial business practices and business operations. The most well-known of these issues are: | ||
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*Forcing customers to waive their right to sue or join class actions if they enroll in their fly pass program | *Forcing customers to waive their right to sue or join class actions if they enroll in their fly pass program | ||
*Sells passengers' personal information to third parties without making opting out readily available | *Sells passengers' personal information to third parties without making opting out readily available | ||
*Making it difficult to check-in for flights online via [[Frontier Airlines | *Making it difficult to check-in for flights online via [[Frontier Airlines obfuscates web check-in form|web-based check-in]] | ||
==Incidents== | ==Incidents== | ||
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]]. | |||
===Deliberately selling more seats on flights than available, then denying boarding for passengers=== | ===Deliberately selling more seats on flights than available, then denying boarding for passengers=== | ||
Compared to other airlines, including other airlines with a ULCC model, Frontier Airlines has the highest involuntary denied-boarding rate among carriers in the United States. <ref>{{Cite news |last=Turner |first=Matt |date=August 22, 2024 |title=The Airlines That Deny the Most Passengers |url=https://www.travelagentcentral.com/transportation/airlines-deny-most-passengers |url-status=live |archive-url= | Compared to other airlines, including other airlines with a ULCC model, Frontier Airlines has the highest involuntary denied-boarding rate among carriers in the United States. <ref>{{Cite news |last=Turner |first=Matt |date=August 22, 2024 |title=The Airlines That Deny the Most Passengers |url=https://www.travelagentcentral.com/transportation/airlines-deny-most-passengers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250324104445/https://www.travelagentcentral.com/transportation/airlines-deny-most-passengers |archive-date=March 24, 2025 |access-date=June 9, 2025 |work=Travel Agent Central}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Miller |first=Alex |date=September 23, 2024 |title=The Airlines Most Likely To Bump You [2024 Data + Survey] |url=https://upgradedpoints.com/news/airlines-most-likely-to-bump-you-2024/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250413204317/https://upgradedpoints.com/news/airlines-most-likely-to-bump-you-2024/ |archive-date=April 13, 2025 |access-date=June 9, 2025 |work=Upgraded Points}}</ref> In 2023 to 2024, Frontier had 3.21 involuntary bumps, the highest recorded number of involuntary bumps from 2023 to 2024. As a comparison, American Airlines follows this number with a rate of 0.6, a rate 80% lower than Frontier Airlines. At about 3.21 involuntary bumps per 10,000 passengers, this means that a paying Frontier Airlines passenger is about five times more likely to be denied boarding than an American Airlines passenger because of Frontier Airlines' practice of deliberately overbooking flights. | ||
The following is an account from Frontier Airlines passenger, Erin Woltjen, who was denied boarding while attempting to board her flight from Philadelphia to Atlanta:<blockquote>"''I scanned my boarding pass from my phone and it didn't work. He looks at the computer and he says to us, 'I'm sorry, the plane's been overbooked.' And he goes on to explain that none of us are getting on the plane at this time."''</blockquote>The passenger was ultimately given a refund after speaking with a Frontier Airlines spokesperson.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Klisauskaite |first=Vyte |date=August 3, 2024 |title="You Were Not There": Frontier Airlines Tells Passenger They Were A No Show After Overbooking Flight |url=https://simpleflying.com/frontier-airlines-passenger-no-show/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250409000628/https://simpleflying.com/frontier-airlines-passenger-no-show/ |archive-date=April 9, 2025 |access-date=June 9, 2025 |work=Simple Flying}}</ref> Many other passengers share Miss Woltjen's experience of being denied boarding due to Frontier Airlines' budget-focused practice of overbooking flights. | The following is an account from Frontier Airlines passenger, Erin Woltjen, who was denied boarding while attempting to board her flight from Philadelphia to Atlanta:<blockquote>"''I scanned my boarding pass from my phone and it didn't work. He looks at the computer and he says to us, 'I'm sorry, the plane's been overbooked.' And he goes on to explain that none of us are getting on the plane at this time."''</blockquote>The passenger was ultimately given a refund after speaking with a Frontier Airlines spokesperson.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Klisauskaite |first=Vyte |date=August 3, 2024 |title="You Were Not There": Frontier Airlines Tells Passenger They Were A No Show After Overbooking Flight |url=https://simpleflying.com/frontier-airlines-passenger-no-show/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250409000628/https://simpleflying.com/frontier-airlines-passenger-no-show/ |archive-date=April 9, 2025 |access-date=June 9, 2025 |work=Simple Flying}}</ref> Many other passengers share Miss Woltjen's experience of being denied boarding due to Frontier Airlines' budget-focused practice of overbooking flights. | ||
===Failing to compensate passengers for | ===Failing to compensate passengers for cancellations and delays=== | ||
Frontier Airlines has a large history of refund complaints by customers. In 2022, Frontier Airlines accounted for 13% of all refund-related complaints filed with the Department of Transportation (DOT), and only 2.9% of all boarded U.S. airline-boarded passengers were Frontier Airlines passengers. This indicates an extremely high complaint rate.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Murray |first=Teresa |date=April 24, 2023 |title=REPORT: Frontier, Spirit, JetBlue have worst complaint ratios |url=https://pirg.org/media-center/report-frontier-spirit-and-jetblue-have-worst-complaint-ratios/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114061400/https://pirg.org/media-center/report-frontier-spirit-and-jetblue-have-worst-complaint-ratios/ |archive-date=January 14, 2025 |access-date=June 9, 2025 |work=PIRG}}</ref> Additionally, the airline was fined $2.2 million by the DOT, only 0.066% of the company's revenue in 2022. This equates to a person making $100,000 per year being fined $66. | Frontier Airlines has a large history of refund complaints by customers. In 2022, Frontier Airlines accounted for 13% of all refund-related complaints filed with the Department of Transportation (DOT), and only 2.9% of all boarded U.S. airline-boarded passengers were Frontier Airlines passengers. This indicates an extremely high complaint rate.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Murray |first=Teresa |date=April 24, 2023 |title=REPORT: Frontier, Spirit, JetBlue have worst complaint ratios |url=https://pirg.org/media-center/report-frontier-spirit-and-jetblue-have-worst-complaint-ratios/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114061400/https://pirg.org/media-center/report-frontier-spirit-and-jetblue-have-worst-complaint-ratios/ |archive-date=January 14, 2025 |access-date=June 9, 2025 |work=PIRG}}</ref> Additionally, the airline was fined $2.2 million by the DOT, only 0.066% of the company's revenue in 2022. This equates to a person making $100,000 per year being fined $66. | ||
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#Automatically rebook passengers on the next available flight for free in the event of a cancelation due to a controllable circumstance or provide a refund to the original payment if the passengers chooses not to accept the new travel plans.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 5, 2024 |title=DOT Launches Rulemaking to Protect Passengers Stranded by Airline Disruptions |url=https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/dot-launches-rulemaking-protect-passengers-stranded-airline-disruptions |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250422010803/https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/dot-launches-rulemaking-protect-passengers-stranded-airline-disruptions |archive-date=April 22, 2025 |access-date=June 9, 2025 |website=U.S. Department of Transportation}}</ref> | #Automatically rebook passengers on the next available flight for free in the event of a cancelation due to a controllable circumstance or provide a refund to the original payment if the passengers chooses not to accept the new travel plans.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 5, 2024 |title=DOT Launches Rulemaking to Protect Passengers Stranded by Airline Disruptions |url=https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/dot-launches-rulemaking-protect-passengers-stranded-airline-disruptions |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250422010803/https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/dot-launches-rulemaking-protect-passengers-stranded-airline-disruptions |archive-date=April 22, 2025 |access-date=June 9, 2025 |website=U.S. Department of Transportation}}</ref> | ||
#Issue a voucher or flight credit that is | #Issue a voucher or flight credit that is transferable and valid for 5 years if the passengers opts for one.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 24, 2024 |title=Biden-Harris Administration Announces Final Rule Requiring Automatic Refunds of Airline Tickets and Ancillary Service Fees |url=https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/biden-harris-administration-announces-final-rule-requiring-automatic-refunds-airline |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250607025328/https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/biden-harris-administration-announces-final-rule-requiring-automatic-refunds-airline |archive-date=June 7, 2025 |access-date=June 9, 2025 |website=U.S. Department of Transportation}}</ref> | ||
In 2024, ''Mighty Travels'' ''Premium'' reported a YTD flight cancelation rate of 1.7%. Frontier ranked among the highest of airlines with a cancelation rate in August and October with a rate of 3.3% and 3.1% respectively according to DOT Air Travel Consumer Reports.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 21, 2024 |title=Frontier Airlines Introduces New Rebooking Process for Canceled Flights |url=https://www.mightytravels.com/2024/07/frontier-airlines-introduces-new-rebooking-process-for-canceled-flights/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126121213/https://www.mightytravels.com/2024/07/frontier-airlines-introduces-new-rebooking-process-for-canceled-flights/ |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |access-date=June 9, 2025 |website=Mighty Travels Premium}}</ref> Though not explicitly stated, the recent implementation of these DOT rules allude to the obvious shortcomings of Frontier's current rebooking practices. | In 2024, ''Mighty Travels'' ''Premium'' reported a YTD flight cancelation rate of 1.7%. Frontier ranked among the highest of airlines with a cancelation rate in August and October with a rate of 3.3% and 3.1% respectively according to DOT Air Travel Consumer Reports.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 21, 2024 |title=Frontier Airlines Introduces New Rebooking Process for Canceled Flights |url=https://www.mightytravels.com/2024/07/frontier-airlines-introduces-new-rebooking-process-for-canceled-flights/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126121213/https://www.mightytravels.com/2024/07/frontier-airlines-introduces-new-rebooking-process-for-canceled-flights/ |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |access-date=June 9, 2025 |website=Mighty Travels Premium}}</ref> Though not explicitly stated, the recent implementation of these DOT rules allude to the obvious shortcomings of Frontier's current rebooking practices. | ||
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===Unfair treatment of passengers with disabilities and medical conditions=== | ===Unfair treatment of passengers with disabilities and medical conditions=== | ||
Multiple passengers have expressed their disappointment with Frontier for their egregious treatment of passengers with medical needs. Perhaps one of the most notable of these instances was when a Frontier agent forced a paralyzed passenger to pay in cash to check a medical-supply despite a confirmation from TSA that it contained no prohibited items.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leff |first=Gary |date=May 30, 2025 |title=“Yes, I’m Discriminating”—Frontier Agent Caught Illegally Charging Wheelchair Passenger For Medical Bag |url=https://viewfromthewing.com/yes-im-discriminating-frontier-agent-caught-illegally-charging-wheelchair-passenger-for-medical-bag/ |url-status=live |website=View from the Wing}}</ref> | Multiple passengers have expressed their disappointment with Frontier for their egregious treatment of passengers with medical needs. Perhaps one of the most notable of these instances was when a Frontier agent forced a paralyzed passenger to pay in cash to check a medical-supply despite a confirmation from TSA that it contained no prohibited items.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leff |first=Gary |date=May 30, 2025 |title=“Yes, I’m Discriminating”—Frontier Agent Caught Illegally Charging Wheelchair Passenger For Medical Bag |url=https://viewfromthewing.com/yes-im-discriminating-frontier-agent-caught-illegally-charging-wheelchair-passenger-for-medical-bag/ |url-status=live |website=View from the Wing |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251210051003/https://viewfromthewing.com/yes-im-discriminating-frontier-agent-caught-illegally-charging-wheelchair-passenger-for-medical-bag/ |archive-date=10 Dec 2025}}</ref> | ||
On more than one occasion, Frontier has mishandled mobility aids.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Boey |first=Valerie |date=July 28, 2023 |title=Frontier Airlines returns missing wheelchair to paralyzed Florida man who went without it for 3 days |url=https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/another-person-says-frontier-airlines-lost-their-wheelchair |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241107012825/https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/another-person-says-frontier-airlines-lost-their-wheelchair |archive-date=November 7, 2024 |access-date=June 10, 2025 |work=Fox 35 Orlando}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wakeman |first=Lauren |date=November 14, 2023 |title=Lawsuit filed against Frontier Airlines for losing, damaging disabled woman’s custom wheelchair |url=https://www.salvilaw.com/press-release/lawsuit-filed-against-frontier-airlines-for-losing-damaging-disabled-womans-custom-wheelchair/ |url-status=live |website=Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C.}}</ref> | On more than one occasion, Frontier has mishandled mobility aids.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Boey |first=Valerie |date=July 28, 2023 |title=Frontier Airlines returns missing wheelchair to paralyzed Florida man who went without it for 3 days |url=https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/another-person-says-frontier-airlines-lost-their-wheelchair |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241107012825/https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/another-person-says-frontier-airlines-lost-their-wheelchair |archive-date=November 7, 2024 |access-date=June 10, 2025 |work=Fox 35 Orlando}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wakeman |first=Lauren |date=November 14, 2023 |title=Lawsuit filed against Frontier Airlines for losing, damaging disabled woman’s custom wheelchair |url=https://www.salvilaw.com/press-release/lawsuit-filed-against-frontier-airlines-for-losing-damaging-disabled-womans-custom-wheelchair/ |url-status=live |website=Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250709055951/https://www.salvilaw.com/press-release/lawsuit-filed-against-frontier-airlines-for-losing-damaging-disabled-womans-custom-wheelchair/ |archive-date=9 Jul 2025}}</ref> | ||
===Incentivizing gate agents to squeeze passengers on bag fees=== | ===Incentivizing gate agents to squeeze passengers on bag fees=== | ||
It is a common practice for ULCC airlines staff to audit passengers' bag dimensions while they queue for boarding at airport gates. However, Frontier Airlines is arguably a great deal more predatory in this practice. In a 2024 U.S. Senate Committee Meeting where several major airline executives were present, Senator Josh Hawley raised a question about whether the airlines paid a "bounty" to their employees for catching passengers with bags that were too big at airport gates. Bobby Schroeter, who is the officer in charge of Frontier Airlines' commercial operations, states: "We charge them an incentive... we recognize this [gate-side baggage auditing] is a hard job and therefore, we incentivize them to do that... '''$10 per bag."'''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=December 4, 2024 |title=Sen. Josh Hawley to Airline Executives: "Flying on your airlines is horrible." |url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?c5144527/sen-josh-hawley-airline-executives-flying-airlines-horrible |url-status=live |website=C-Span}}</ref> According to a Frontier Airlines spokesperson, the | It is a common practice for ULCC airlines staff to audit passengers' bag dimensions while they queue for boarding at airport gates. However, Frontier Airlines is arguably a great deal more predatory in this practice. In a 2024 U.S. Senate Committee Meeting where several major airline executives were present, Senator Josh Hawley raised a question about whether the airlines paid a "bounty" to their employees for catching passengers with bags that were too big at airport gates. Bobby Schroeter, who is the officer in charge of Frontier Airlines' commercial operations, states: "We charge them an incentive... we recognize this [gate-side baggage auditing] is a hard job and therefore, we incentivize them to do that... '''$10 per bag."'''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=December 4, 2024 |title=Sen. Josh Hawley to Airline Executives: "Flying on your airlines is horrible." |url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?c5144527/sen-josh-hawley-airline-executives-flying-airlines-horrible |url-status=live |website=C-Span |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223044948/https://www.c-span.org/video/?c5144527/sen-josh-hawley-airline-executives-flying-airlines-horrible |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> According to a Frontier Airlines spokesperson, the commission-based bonus is "simply an incentive for our airport customer service agents to help ensure compliance with our policies and that all customers are treated equally.”<ref>{{Cite news |last=Whitehead |first=Joanna |date=March 13, 2023 |title=Frontier Airlines admits it pays agents a bonus for charging passengers for oversized baggage |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/frontier-airlines-baggage-policy-airport-b2299842.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116201224/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/frontier-airlines-baggage-policy-airport-b2299842.html |archive-date=January 16, 2025 |access-date=June 10, 2025 |work=The Independent}}</ref> Many customers argue that the incentives create financial motivation to not treat passengers "equally," but rather to be overly critical, and even aggressive in some circumstances over enforcing bag size limits. | ||
Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines cumulatively spent $26 million between 2022 and 2023 paying gate agents incentives to catch passengers with bags that did not fit in the airlines' gate-side sizers.<ref name=":0" /> | Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines cumulatively spent $26 million between 2022 and 2023 paying gate agents incentives to catch passengers with bags that did not fit in the airlines' gate-side sizers.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
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Frontier Airlines tends to be more predatory in bag auditing at airport gates because they target passengers at the moment before boarding. Not only are passengers caught off-guard at this moment, the fees they pay at this time are a great deal higher, sometimes $99 compared to a lower fee when paid earlier.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 17, 2025 |title=Frontier Airlines Begins Charging for Carry on Bags |url=https://www.cheapair.com/blog/frontier-airlines-begins-charging-for-carry-on-bags/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250425230421/https://www.cheapair.com/blog/frontier-airlines-begins-charging-for-carry-on-bags/ |archive-date=April 25, 2025 |website=CheapAir}}</ref> | Frontier Airlines tends to be more predatory in bag auditing at airport gates because they target passengers at the moment before boarding. Not only are passengers caught off-guard at this moment, the fees they pay at this time are a great deal higher, sometimes $99 compared to a lower fee when paid earlier.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 17, 2025 |title=Frontier Airlines Begins Charging for Carry on Bags |url=https://www.cheapair.com/blog/frontier-airlines-begins-charging-for-carry-on-bags/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250425230421/https://www.cheapair.com/blog/frontier-airlines-begins-charging-for-carry-on-bags/ |archive-date=April 25, 2025 |website=CheapAir}}</ref> | ||
Abbey Colville, a Frontier passenger, was forced to pay a $99 fee at the gate for the same carry-on bag—twice.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Klint |first=Matthew |date=July 7 2023 |title=Frontier Airlines Double Charges For Carry-On Bag Then Refuses To Correct Error |url=https://liveandletsfly.com/frontier-airlines-double-charges/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319140832/https://liveandletsfly.com/frontier-airlines-double-charges/ |archive-date=March 19 2025 |access-date=June 18 2025 |website=Live and Let's Fly}}</ref> | Abbey Colville, a Frontier passenger, was forced to pay a $99 fee at the gate for the same carry-on bag—twice.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Klint |first=Matthew |date=July 7, 2023 |title=Frontier Airlines Double Charges For Carry-On Bag Then Refuses To Correct Error |url=https://liveandletsfly.com/frontier-airlines-double-charges/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319140832/https://liveandletsfly.com/frontier-airlines-double-charges/ |archive-date=March 19, 2025 |access-date=June 18, 2025 |website=Live and Let's Fly}}</ref> | ||
A class-action lawsuit alleges that Frontier gate agents utilized the gate-side bag-sizers smaller than the posted size to mislead passengers into paying fees for bags that were actually within size limits.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pradelli |first=Chad |date=November 21, 2023 |title=Lawsuit accuses Frontier Airlines of bogus baggage fees {{!}} Investigation |url=https://6abc.com/frontier-airlines-bag-policy-class-action-lawsuit-flight-fees/14085587/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326031459/https://6abc.com/frontier-airlines-bag-policy-class-action-lawsuit-flight-fees/14085587/ |archive-date=March 26, 2025 |access-date= | A class-action lawsuit alleges that Frontier gate agents utilized the gate-side bag-sizers smaller than the posted size to mislead passengers into paying fees for bags that were actually within size limits.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pradelli |first=Chad |date=November 21, 2023 |title=Lawsuit accuses Frontier Airlines of bogus baggage fees {{!}} Investigation |url=https://6abc.com/frontier-airlines-bag-policy-class-action-lawsuit-flight-fees/14085587/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326031459/https://6abc.com/frontier-airlines-bag-policy-class-action-lawsuit-flight-fees/14085587/ |archive-date=March 26, 2025 |access-date=June 10, 2025 |work=6abc Action News}}</ref> To further push Frontier's budget-focused business model, the bag fee incentives, coupled with their bait-and-switch practice of cheap tickets, and multiple fees, appears to be an overarching strategy to exploit their customers as much as possible so that the airline can make as much money as possible. | ||
===Controversial and exploitive pricing strategy=== | ===Controversial and exploitive pricing strategy=== | ||
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*ZIP code, which possibly correlates with passengers' income bracket or race | *ZIP code, which possibly correlates with passengers' income bracket or race | ||
*Age, which | *Age, which possibly correlates with passengers' ability to pay for a certain price | ||
*Gender, which | *Gender, which possibly correlates with passengers' willingness to pay for a certain price | ||
===Forced arbitration via Frontier Airlines "Fly Pass"=== | ===Forced arbitration via Frontier Airlines "Fly Pass"=== | ||
Frontier's "GoWild! All You Can Fly" pass requires that members agree to terms that force them to resolve legal disputes outside of court and force them to abstain from joining class actions.<blockquote>"You and Frontier agree to arbitrate all disputes and claims between us... tort, statute, fraud, misrepresentation or any other legal theory... | Frontier's "GoWild! All You Can Fly" pass requires that members agree to terms that force them to resolve legal disputes outside of court and force them to abstain from joining class actions.<blockquote>"You and Frontier agree to arbitrate all disputes and claims between us... tort, statute, fraud, misrepresentation or any other legal theory... | ||
"In addition, by agreeing to resolve disputes through arbitration, You and Frontier agree to each unconditionally waive the right to a trial by jury or to participate in a class action, representative proceeding, or private attorney general action."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Terms and Conditions |url=https://idmonitoring.frontier.com/terms |url-status=live |access-date=June 18 2025}}</ref></blockquote>In 2024, federal Colorado judge, Judge Kathryn A. Starnella dismissed a class action lawsuit filed against Frontier Airlines by fly pass member, Jeriyma Hartsfield for a breach of contract. Despite Hartsfield's attempt to | "In addition, by agreeing to resolve disputes through arbitration, You and Frontier agree to each unconditionally waive the right to a trial by jury or to participate in a class action, representative proceeding, or private attorney general action."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Terms and Conditions |url=https://idmonitoring.frontier.com/terms |url-status=live |access-date=June 18, 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708193926/https://idmonitoring.frontier.com/terms |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref></blockquote>In 2024, federal Colorado judge, Judge Kathryn A. Starnella dismissed a class action lawsuit filed against Frontier Airlines by fly pass member, Jeriyma Hartsfield for a breach of contract. Despite Hartsfield's attempt to represent a class of passengers who also faced a similar situation, the lawsuit was ultimately shot down by Judger Starnella because she deduced that Hartsfield, "had ample opportunity to review the terms, including the arbitration clause, before agreeing to them."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Milano |first=Ashley |date=July 9, 2024 |title=Frontier Airlines 'All You Can Fly' Lawsuit Grounded, Heads to Arbitration |url=https://injuryclaims.com/news/other/frontier-airlines-gowild-lawsuit-dismissed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326041651/https://injuryclaims.com/news/other/frontier-airlines-gowild-lawsuit-dismissed |archive-date=March 26, 2025 |access-date=June 18, 2025 |website=Injury Claims}}</ref> Hartsfield was then left to attempt to resolve the matter via arbitration instead of in court. | ||
=== Lack of transparency with opting out of personal data sharing with third parties === | ===Lack of transparency with opting out of personal data sharing with third parties=== | ||
Frontier Airlines shares its customers personal data with "service providers" and "affiliates."<blockquote>"Frontier Airlines discloses your personal information to third parties for business purposes. When we disclose personal information, we enter an agreement that describes the purpose and requires the recipient to both keep that personal information confidential and not use it for any purpose except in performing the agreement. We provide your personal information for a business purpose to the following categories of third parties: (i) service providers; (ii) our affiliates and codeshare partner; and (iii) third parties to which you authorize Frontier Airlines to disclose your personal information in connection with products or services you elect to purchase from them."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Privacy Policy For California Residents |url=https://www.flyfrontier.com/legal/california-privacy-policy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250606081427/https://www.flyfrontier.com/legal/california-privacy-policy/ |archive-date=June 6 2025 |access-date=June 18 2025 |website=Frontier Airlines California Privacy Policy}}</ref></blockquote>In addition to personal data sharing, some of this sharing may count as selling of personal data under California law. Like with most companies, the mechanisms for opting out of these practices are buried in complex legal paragraphs, and they not made clearly available for customers. Of course, these terms only apply to passengers who are residents of California because of the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Passengers outside of the state of California do not currently receive the same comprehensive rights of legal California residents in this case. | Frontier Airlines shares its customers personal data with "service providers" and "affiliates."<blockquote>"Frontier Airlines discloses your personal information to third parties for business purposes. When we disclose personal information, we enter an agreement that describes the purpose and requires the recipient to both keep that personal information confidential and not use it for any purpose except in performing the agreement. We provide your personal information for a business purpose to the following categories of third parties: (i) service providers; (ii) our affiliates and codeshare partner; and (iii) third parties to which you authorize Frontier Airlines to disclose your personal information in connection with products or services you elect to purchase from them."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Privacy Policy For California Residents |url=https://www.flyfrontier.com/legal/california-privacy-policy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250606081427/https://www.flyfrontier.com/legal/california-privacy-policy/ |archive-date=June 6, 2025 |access-date=June 18, 2025 |website=Frontier Airlines California Privacy Policy}}</ref></blockquote>In addition to personal data sharing, some of this sharing may count as selling of personal data under California law. Like with most companies, the mechanisms for opting out of these practices are buried in complex legal paragraphs, and they not made clearly available for customers. Of course, these terms only apply to passengers who are residents of California because of the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Passengers outside of the state of California do not currently receive the same comprehensive rights of legal California residents in this case. | ||
===Obfuscating web-based check-in and charging passengers for it=== | ===Obfuscating web-based check-in and charging passengers for it=== | ||
Frontier Airlines has a suspicious history of technical glitches and errors with their website and mobile application when customers attempt to check in for their flight online.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leff |first=Gary |date=May 3 2025 |title="Never Flying This Airline Again”—Watch As Frontier Threatens Ban, Calls Police When Passenger Complains About $25 Fee Just To Check In |url=https://viewfromthewing.com/never-flying-this-airline-again-watch-as-frontier-threatens-ban-calls-police-when-passenger-complains-about-25-fee-just-to-check-in/comment-page-1/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 18 2025 |work=View from the Wing}}</ref> In addition to the technical inconveniences, passengers have reported long wait times for customer service and unresponsive support from customer service while seeking assistance with these online check-in issues. Passengers who checked in late, some no doubt due to the technical issues, were charged unexpected fees for doing so.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fenton |first=Reuven |date=May 7 2025 |title=Frontier Airlines agents jeer at passenger after hitting him with surprise fee: ‘You thought you were gonna get on your flight?’ |url=https://nypost.com/2025/05/07/us-news/frontier-airlines-staff-taunt-passenger-trying-to-check-in-hit-him-with-25-fee-video/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250517034451/https://nypost.com/2025/05/07/us-news/frontier-airlines-staff-taunt-passenger-trying-to-check-in-hit-him-with-25-fee-video/ |archive-date=May 17 2025 |access-date=June 18 2025 |work=New York Post}}</ref> | Frontier Airlines has a suspicious history of technical glitches and errors with their website and their mobile application when customers attempt to check in for their flight online.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leff |first=Gary |date=May 3, 2025 |title="Never Flying This Airline Again”—Watch As Frontier Threatens Ban, Calls Police When Passenger Complains About $25 Fee Just To Check In |url=https://viewfromthewing.com/never-flying-this-airline-again-watch-as-frontier-threatens-ban-calls-police-when-passenger-complains-about-25-fee-just-to-check-in/comment-page-1/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 18, 2025 |work=View from the Wing |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250713143518/https://viewfromthewing.com/never-flying-this-airline-again-watch-as-frontier-threatens-ban-calls-police-when-passenger-complains-about-25-fee-just-to-check-in/comment-page-1/ |archive-date=13 Jul 2025}}</ref> In addition to the technical inconveniences, passengers have reported long wait times for customer service and unresponsive support from customer service while seeking assistance with these online check-in issues. Passengers who checked in late, some no doubt due to the technical issues, were charged unexpected fees for doing so.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fenton |first=Reuven |date=May 7, 2025 |title=Frontier Airlines agents jeer at passenger after hitting him with surprise fee: ‘You thought you were gonna get on your flight?’ |url=https://nypost.com/2025/05/07/us-news/frontier-airlines-staff-taunt-passenger-trying-to-check-in-hit-him-with-25-fee-video/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250517034451/https://nypost.com/2025/05/07/us-news/frontier-airlines-staff-taunt-passenger-trying-to-check-in-hit-him-with-25-fee-video/ |archive-date=May 17, 2025 |access-date=June 18, 2025 |work=New York Post}}</ref> | ||
In 2023, Frontier's check-in form used to be readily available on the front page of their website. | In 2023, Frontier's check-in form used to be readily available on the front page of their website. Currently, passengers are expected to perform an additional step if they want to check in online for free: downloading the Frontier mobile app: [[Frontier Airlines obfuscates web check-in form]] | ||
As | As of June 2025, passengers must pay a $5 "Web Check In" fee to check in on Frontier's website.<ref name=":1" /> | ||
==See also== | |||
{{Ph-C-SA}} | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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