(PHOENIX) Frontier Airlines is adding two new Phoenix flights and dangling rock-bottom intro fares, betting that price-sensitive travelers will fill planes even as costs rise across the industry. The carrier said it will launch nonstop service from Phoenix to San Antonio on October 10, 2025, with three flights a week on Mondays, Fridays, and Sundays. Introductory fares start at $49 one-way.
A second route, Phoenix to Portland, begins as early as December 18, 2025, with one-way fares starting at $65. Limited-time deals are also showing for Phoenix to Orlando from $70 one-way (from December 15, 2025) and Phoenix to Salt Lake City from $36 one-way (from December 14, 2025).
Frontier framed the move as part of a wider network push focused on leisure and secondary markets, a strategy aimed at lowering average fares while keeping planes full. Airline officials highlighted affordability and new options for families, students, and workers planning quick trips between the Southwest and Pacific Northwest. San Antonio airport leaders welcomed the added ultra-low-cost carrier presence, saying it brings more choice and puts pressure on prices.
Timing and capacity: act fast for the lowest fares
Travelers eager to lock in the lowest prices should move quickly. Frontier’s discount offers are capacity-controlled and often tied to specific dates.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the cheapest seats usually appear early, vanish quickly, and then reappear during flash sales—especially for midweek or early morning flights. Those patterns can help:
- Families visiting relatives during holidays
- Job seekers flying for interviews
- Students planning campus visits
New routes, fares, and what’s different this time
- Phoenix → San Antonio
- Launch date: October 10, 2025
- Frequency: 3x weekly (Mon, Fri, Sun)
- Intro fare: $49 one-way
- Phoenix → Portland
- Start date: December 18, 2025
- Intro fare: $65 one-way
- Limited-time fares (examples)
- Phoenix → Orlando: $70 one-way (from Dec 15, 2025)
- Phoenix → Salt Lake City: $36 one-way (from Dec 14, 2025)
Frontier notes these are promotional fares and limited; taxes and fees apply.
New product options and loyalty perks
Frontier is also promoting optional paid products for travelers wanting more comfort than a bare-bones ticket:
- UpFront Plus: available in the first two rows; includes extra legroom and a guaranteed empty middle seat (fee applies).
- First Class: planned debut in late 2025, aiming to provide more comfort while keeping premium prices below traditional premium cabins.
- Loyalty program enhancements:
- Unlimited companion travel for top members, with the option to choose a different companion each time.
GoWild! All-You-Can-Fly Annual Pass
- Early access price for the 2026–2027 pass: $299 (regular price $599) if purchased by September 5, 2025.
- Terms: unlimited travel subject to blackout dates and rules such as booking at least one day before travel.
- Best suited for travelers with flexible schedules who fly often between Frontier cities.
How to land the lowest fare without surprises
Frontier’s model sets a low base price and then charges for extras like carry-on bags, checked bags, seat selection, and priority boarding. This can still save money, but planning matters.
Checklist for Phoenix flyers targeting San Antonio, Portland, or other Frontier deals:
- Book earlier than you think you need — promo fares are limited and may only appear on select dates.
- Join Discount Den®:
- Cost: $59.99 per year
- Benefit: often $10–$20 lower fares than public prices, plus family benefits and early access to sales.
- Watch for flash sales — Frontier posts one-day or weekend sales sometimes dropping fares to $19–$39 one-way.
- Consider the GoWild! pass if you travel frequently and can be flexible; check blackout dates and booking rules.
- Use the fare calendar to compare prices across weeks and pick the cheapest days.
- Book direct on the carrier’s site: flyfrontier.com. That’s where Frontier lists the full set of deals, seat products, and loyalty options.
For Phoenix residents who are immigrants, new citizens, or mixed-status families, total cost often matters more than the headline fare. Add up bag fees, seat fees, and any service charges before purchasing.
- Families may find paying for one checked bag and standard seats together still beats higher base fares on other carriers.
- Students can save by traveling with a personal item only to avoid carry-on charges.
Important: Consumer rights and protections matter. Review the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection page to understand refunds, delays, and cancellations before you buy: Aviation Consumer Protection – U.S. DOT.
Who benefits from the new routes
- Phoenix → San Antonio: appeals to workers and families shuttling between two growing metros with ties to healthcare, construction, tech, and defense.
- Phoenix → Portland: gives Valley residents a cheaper nonstop option to visit family or seek cooler summer weather.
Budget-minded travelers can combine a Frontier flight with low-cost public transit after landing to keep end-to-end costs down.
San Antonio airport officials say more ultra-low-cost carrier service drives competition, tends to bring prices down, and fills planes. If the Phoenix route matures, travelers could see deeper fare sales during off-peak weeks and shoulder seasons.
Balancing cost and comfort: Frontier’s hybrid approach
Frontier’s product changes—UpFront Plus and planned First Class—suggest a hybrid model: keep lead-in fares low while offering paid add-ons for extra space and comfort.
- For parents flying with young children, buying one or two upgraded seats up front can be cheaper than switching to another airline with a higher base fare.
- For deal hunters, timing is crucial: the cheapest December seats often appear before fall and can vanish as holiday demand rises.
- If you miss an early fare, watch for Friday morning or Monday flash sales on Frontier’s site.
A small price drop on one trip can sometimes cover the cost of a Discount Den® membership—especially on longer routes like Phoenix–Portland.
Bigger picture: network growth and real-trip pricing
Frontier’s broader plan—more than 37 added routes nationwide and internationally across 2024–2025—targets city pairs legacy carriers sometimes deprioritize. That benefits Phoenix by adding budget-friendly options for:
- Students
- Caregivers
- Small-business owners
- Families needing rapid travel for weddings, births, or emergencies
When comparing airlines, remember the real price is the full trip cost:
- Add bag fees if you’ll check luggage both ways.
- Check seat selection costs if you need to sit together.
- Factor travel time: nonstop flights may cost more but save time and reduce missed-connection risk—valuable for families with kids or elders.
Frontier encourages direct booking on its site for the most complete deal set. Travelers can review and buy Discount Den®, browse GoWild! pass terms, and pick seats in one flow. If you have questions about the new Phoenix flights, Frontier suggests using online chat or contact options on flyfrontier.com.
San Antonio International Airport listed media inquiries to Tonya Hope at 210-207-1515.
Final takeaways and a simple playbook
Industry analysts expect more fare competition into 2026 as carriers chase price-sensitive travelers on secondary routes. Frontier is expanding both low-price specials (like a $36 Phoenix–Salt Lake City deal) and paid premium options up front.
Quick playbook for Phoenix travelers eyeing San Antonio and Portland:
- Target the first wave of promo fares and buy quickly.
- Use Discount Den® to cut another $10–$20 off base prices when available.
- Pack light to avoid bag fees, or share a checked bag when traveling as a family.
- Watch for flash-sale emails and refresh the fare calendar for gaps in demand.
- Consider the GoWild! pass if you fly frequently and can be flexible around blackout dates.
Frontier’s message: the base fare can be very low, and the rest is up to you. With smart planning, many households can turn a teaser fare into a real deal without surprises at checkout. As Phoenix grows, added nonstop options to San Antonio and Portland bring friends, families, and opportunities closer—while pushing other airlines to sharpen their prices and schedules.
This Article in a Nutshell
Frontier Airlines will launch nonstop Phoenix–San Antonio service Oct. 10, 2025 (three weekly flights, $49 one-way intro fares) and Phoenix–Portland service Dec. 18, 2025 (from $65 one-way). The carrier is promoting leisure and secondary-market growth with low base fares, capacity-controlled promotions, and optional paid products like UpFront Plus and a planned First Class. Frontier also offers a GoWild! unlimited pass (early price $299) and Discount Den® membership to lower costs. Travelers should account for taxes, bag and seat fees, and act quickly on flash sales or promo dates to secure the lowest fares. The expansion adds budget nonstop choices for families, students, and workers while encouraging competitive pricing.
