Frontier Airlines has replaced its nearly decade-long CEO, Barry Biffle, with President James Dempsey, who will serve as interim CEO, as part of a leadership transition announced by the airline.
Frontier Group Holdings announced that James G. Dempsey, currently President, will become Interim CEO starting December 15, 2025, succeeding Barry Biffle who will stay on as an advisor until the end of the year. Dempsey has been with Frontier since 2014 and is expected to lead the airline into its next chapter, with the company reaffirming its financial guidance for Q4 2025 amid ongoing industry challenges.
Two sisters from New Jersey were arrested at Orlando International Airport after allegedly pushing a Frontier Airlines employee to the ground during a viral incident, with body camera footage showing their altercation and subsequent charges of disorderly intoxication and battery. They were later referred to a pre-trial intervention program, which could lead to the dismissal of charges if completed successfully.
Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle responded dismissively to United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby's claim that the discount airline model is dead, defending his airline's lower costs and market strategy amid industry struggles with oversupply and rising costs. The debate highlights ongoing competition among U.S. budget carriers and larger airlines adapting their offerings.
Frontier Airlines announced 20 new routes from major U.S. cities with fares as low as $29, aiming to boost its market share and compete with Spirit Airlines, which is struggling financially and recently emerged from bankruptcy. The airline is also enhancing its services and loyalty programs to position itself as a leading low-cost carrier.
Frontier Airlines announced plans to become the top low-fare carrier in the top 20 U.S. metro areas by adding 20 new routes with fares starting at $29, along with fleet and service upgrades, loyalty program enhancements, and international route launches through early 2026.
Frontier Airlines announced plans to introduce 'first class-style' premium seats by late 2025, as part of a broader initiative called The New Frontier. This move aligns with industry trends where budget airlines like Spirit are offering premium options to boost revenue. Frontier's overhaul includes enhanced loyalty benefits, such as free seat upgrades and companion travel for Elite members. Pricing details for the new seats will be revealed closer to their availability.
Spirit Airlines has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after its merger attempts with JetBlue and Frontier Airlines failed, leading to significant financial losses. The budget airline, known for its ultra-low-cost travel, has struggled with excess capacity and rising operating costs, resulting in losses in 17 of its last 18 quarters. Despite the setback, Spirit aims to emerge from bankruptcy quickly with the support of its bondholders, hoping to become a more sustainable company.
Spirit Airlines' stock plummeted after reports emerged that merger discussions with Frontier Airlines have collapsed, leading Spirit to consider filing for bankruptcy protection. The airline is struggling with significant debt and has been unable to file its quarterly results, indicating potential financial instability. Spirit had previously attempted a merger with JetBlue, which was abandoned due to antitrust issues. The failure of these merger talks and financial challenges have severely impacted Spirit's stock value, which has dropped by 90% this year.
Frontier Airlines is facing widespread abuse of its wheelchair service, with many passengers using it to skip lines and secure priority boarding despite not needing assistance. CEO Barry Biffle highlighted the issue, noting that it costs the airline $30-$35 per request and can cause delays for other travelers. The Air Carrier Access Act mandates non-discriminatory service for disabled passengers, complicating enforcement. Similar issues have been reported by other airlines like Southwest, with social media and platforms like TikTok exacerbating the problem by promoting such "travel hacks."
Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle highlights rampant abuse of airport wheelchair services by passengers seeking to fast-track through security and boarding, costing the airline time and money. He calls for penalties and a verification system to curb misuse, emphasizing the need to protect services for those genuinely in need. This issue mirrors similar concerns raised by other industry leaders and underscores ongoing challenges in accommodating disabled travelers.
Frontier Airlines reports widespread abuse of its wheelchair service, with many passengers using it to gain priority boarding without needing assistance. The airline calls for a registration system and legislation to address the issue, highlighting the difficulty TSA and airlines face in managing this problem.
Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle criticized the widespread abuse of wheelchair services by passengers who don't need them, urging penalties similar to those for handicapped parking violations. He highlighted that on some flights, many passengers request wheelchairs for priority boarding but don't use them upon arrival, costing the airline and delaying service for those truly in need. This misuse was exacerbated by a TikTok travel hack promoting the practice.
The CEO of Frontier Airlines has criticized the widespread abuse of wheelchair assistance by passengers who fake disabilities to gain airport perks like priority boarding and access to overhead bin space. This practice not only incurs unnecessary costs for airlines but also delays services for genuinely disabled passengers. The CEO is calling for strict penalties similar to those for parking in handicapped spaces to curb this dishonest behavior.
Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle calls for stricter measures to prevent the abuse of airport wheelchair services, citing significant misuse that leads to increased costs and delays for those genuinely in need. He suggests penalties similar to those for parking in handicapped spaces to deter fraudulent use.