(ORLANDO, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES) Frontier Airlines will resume Orlando–Pensacola flights with nonstop service starting February 13, 2026, restoring a link last flown in June 2022. The route returns with two weekly frequencies using an Airbus A320neo, giving Central and Northwest Florida travelers a low-fare option between two growing metros.
Frontier’s move forms part of its broader 2026 expansion plan in the United States and beyond, where the carrier is adding and restoring multiple routes to bolster its network and compete on price and convenience. The airline’s filings show the route scheduled five times in February and once in March 2026, with additional adjustments possible before launch.

Frontier has not listed this city pair among its new-route fare promotions, and no introductory fares were published as of October 11, 2025. According to VisaVerge.com, Frontier often rolls out targeted sales closer to launch when demand patterns are clearer, especially on short-haul routes like Orlando–Pensacola that attract leisure travelers and families visiting relatives.
Route details and schedule
Frontier will operate the Orlando–Pensacola nonstop service on the following timetable:
- Start date: February 13, 2026
- Frequency: 2 weekly flights (filed five times in February and once in March 2026 — subject to change)
- Aircraft: Airbus A320neo
Flight numbers and times:
– F94661: Departs Orlando (MCO) at 15:00, arrives Pensacola (PNS) at 15:40
– F94662: Departs Pensacola (PNS) at 16:35, arrives Orlando (MCO) at 19:10
Frontier encourages travelers to check the most current schedule and seat maps directly at Frontier Airlines. Orlando International Airport also posts air service updates and terminal guidance for new and returning routes at Orlando International Airport. Flight times and frequencies may shift as the airline refines its spring timetable.
The A320neo brings better fuel efficiency and lower noise, which can help the airline keep fares competitive on short hops. With under an hour of planned airtime westbound and a little over two hours eastbound including taxi and turns, the schedule caters to:
- Quick weekend visits
- Short business trips
- Same-day connections to Frontier’s wider network via Orlando
What the return means for Florida’s immigrant communities
While a domestic route may seem routine, the return of this nonstop service matters for many immigrant families and mixed-status households across Central and Northwest Florida. A direct Orlando–Pensacola link reduces travel time and the stress of tight connections, which is especially helpful for travelers who prefer to avoid multiple security checks or transfers.
Key reasons this matters beyond tourism:
- Family visits: Many families split between Central Florida and the Panhandle rely on quick, budget-friendly flights to attend weddings, funerals, baby arrivals, or major cultural events. A nonstop flight makes these trips more predictable and often cheaper than connecting options.
- School and college ties: International students living with relatives near Orlando or Pensacola can move between campuses and home more easily on weekends and holidays.
- Work travel: Healthcare workers, hospitality staff, and small business owners with roots in immigrant communities often juggle irregular hours. A short direct route helps them fit in family visits without taking multiple days off.
- Access to services: People still travel across the state for document pick-ups, legal consultations, and community services. Short flights can make these trips easier for those with limited time.
For domestic flights inside the United States 🇺🇸, travelers must bring proper ID. TSA accepts state-issued driver’s licenses, state IDs that meet federal standards, foreign passports, and certain DHS-issued documents. Because rules can change, especially around REAL ID timing and acceptable alternatives, travelers should review the official TSA acceptable ID list before heading to the airport. That page explains what documents work at the checkpoint, how to proceed if you forgot your ID, and what minors need when traveling with adults.
Short nonstop flights can meaningfully reduce travel stress and time for families, students, and workers who rely on predictable, affordable transportation between Orlando and Pensacola.
Practical travel considerations and tips
- Expect initial schedule tweaks: Airlines commonly adjust timings and frequencies in the first weeks after a route is reintroduced.
- Keep contact details updated in your booking so schedule-change notices reach you.
- Request special assistance at booking and reconfirm within 24 hours of departure if you or a traveling companion needs help.
- If traveling with relatives who hold foreign passports or DHS-issued IDs, print or bookmark the TSA acceptable ID page to reduce checkpoint confusion.
- Families with flexible schedules can often save by flying midweek or outside school breaks.
If you plan to travel near the launch—especially on or just after February 13, 2026—monitor fare calendars and set alerts. VisaVerge.com reports Frontier’s fares often respond to booking trends in the first weeks after a route is loaded, so travelers watching February and March weekends may see price shifts as the airline tests demand.
Community and market impact
Frontier’s return to Orlando–Pensacola fits a broader trend: low-fare carriers are growing point-to-point flying between midsize cities where large network airlines have reduced frequency. In these markets, even two weekly flights can shift travel patterns:
- Families may choose a short flight instead of a five- to six-hour drive along Interstate 10 and I‑75, especially during holiday weekends when traffic and hotel rates spike.
- Community groups planning cultural festivals or faith gatherings may find it easier to attract relatives and guest speakers who previously hesitated to connect through other hubs.
- Nonprofit organizers should watch for schedule adjustments; a third weekly frequency near holidays is possible if early bookings are strong (though Frontier has not filed such a change for this route).
Frontier’s 2026 expansion strategy mixes new city pairs with returns to routes that once performed well or that fit new aircraft and cost models. Orlando’s role as a major leisure gateway makes it a natural base for testing short-haul links like Orlando–Pensacola. Pensacola’s population growth and military presence add baseline demand from families and workers traveling on tight budgets.
Final reminders and resources
- Booking remains open through Frontier Airlines.
- For terminal maps, parking, and security wait times, check Orlando International Airport.
Frontier’s Orlando–Pensacola nonstop service is slated to begin February 13, 2026, with two weekly flights aboard an A320neo. Flight numbers F94661 and F94662 are filed; times and frequencies may adjust closer to launch.
This Article in a Nutshell
Frontier Airlines will restart nonstop service between Orlando (MCO) and Pensacola (PNS) on February 13, 2026, using an Airbus A320neo with two weekly roundtrips. The carrier filed the route five times in February and once in March 2026; schedules and frequencies may be adjusted before launch. Flight numbers F94661 and F94662 are posted with planned departure and arrival times, though no introductory fares were announced as of October 11, 2025. The route’s return supports leisure travelers, families, students, and workers across Central and Northwest Florida by reducing travel time and offering a low-fare option. Travelers should monitor Frontier and airport updates and confirm acceptable ID requirements with TSA before travel.