Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines is a major ultra-low-cost U.S. carrier focused on affordable domestic and international travel. The airline serves more than 100 destinations across the United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
Headquarters
Denver, CO
Pilot Bases
13
Aircraft Fleet
183
Hiring
Active
Aircraft Fleet & Notes
Frontier is slowing near-term fleet growth while continuing to modernize its all-Airbus fleet.
As of March 31, 2026, the airline operated 183 aircraft: 94 A320neos, 62 A321neos, 21 A321ceos and six A320ceos.
Frontier added five A320neos and two A321neos during the first quarter of 2026.
The airline expects seven additional aircraft deliveries during the second quarter but also plans to return 24 leased A320neos early as part of its fleet-right-sizing strategy.
Frontier has deferred 69 A320neo-family deliveries previously scheduled for 2027 through 2030 until 2031 through 2033.
The 240-seat A321neo will remain an important part of Frontier’s fleet because it offers more capacity than the 186-seat A320neo.
Frontier’s fleet strategy is focused on improving aircraft utilization, reducing costs, increasing the use of larger A321neos and moderating long-term annual growth to approximately 10%.
Pilot Retirements
Hiring & Career Outlook
Current pilot hiring: Frontier’s First Officer and University Pathway applications are currently open.
2026 hiring target: Frontier has not published a specific pilot hiring target for 2026.
Minimum qualifications: First Officer applicants need at least 1,500 total hours and an FAA ATP certificate. Preferred experience includes 2,500 total hours, 750 hours of multiengine fixed-wing time, 500 hours of PIC and 500 hours of jet or turboprop time.
Fleet size: Frontier operated 183 Airbus aircraft as of March 31, 2026, including 94 A320neos, six A320ceos, 21 A321ceos and 62 A321neos.
Near-term fleet changes: Frontier planned to receive seven additional A320-family aircraft during Q2 2026 while returning 24 leased A320neos under an early-return agreement.
Long-term fleet growth: Frontier says it has more than 200 aircraft on order and expects to grow to approximately three times its current size over the next decade.
Career progression: Frontier advertises possible captain upgrades in approximately two to three years, depending on hiring, fleet growth and seniority.
Pilot pathways: Frontier offers a Cadet Program, University Pathway Program and Rotor Transition Program that provide structured routes to a First Officer position.
Overall outlook: Mixed in the near term due to aircraft returns and slower 2026 fleet growth, but more positive long term because of continued pilot recruitment, a large aircraft orderbook and planned expansion.
Pay Notes
Monthly guarantee: Frontier lineholders and reserve pilots receive a 75-hour monthly guarantee or their actual monthly credit, whichever is greater.
Minimum daily credit: Pilots receive a 5-hour minimum credit for each qualifying duty period.
Trip rig: Frontier provides one hour of pay credit for every 3.5 hours away from base when the trip rig produces more credit than the scheduled flying.
Deadhead pay: Required deadhead travel is paid at 100% of the pilot’s applicable hourly rate. Company-directed deadheads are provided on a positive-space, must-ride basis.
High-credit premium: Monthly credit above 82.5 hours is paid at 125% of the pilot’s applicable hourly rate.
Premium flying: Qualifying trips picked up through the premium-add process are paid at 150% of the pilot’s applicable hourly rate.
Per diem: Pilots receive $2.20 per hour in per diem while eligible and away from base.
Retirement contribution: Frontier contributes an additional 15% of eligible pilot earnings to the pilot’s retirement account. This is a company-funded, non-elective contribution on top of the pilot’s hourly earnings.
Retirement vesting: Frontier’s company retirement contributions become 100% vested after three years of service.
Sick leave: Pilots accrue one sick-leave day per month and may maintain a maximum sick-leave bank of 120 days.
Minimum days off: Pilots receive at least 12 days off during each monthly bid period.
Holiday and night pay: The current agreement does not provide a separate holiday-pay or night-pay premium.
Profit sharing: Frontier does not provide contractual pilot profit sharing. Any company-wide bonus should not be treated as guaranteed compensation.