What Frontier Airlines actually looks for
Frontier Airlines is a Denver-based ultra-low-cost carrier owned by Indigo Partners, the investment firm run by aviation veteran Bill Franke, which also backs low-cost carriers internationally. Frontier runs an all-Airbus A320 family fleet and is known for its distinctive branding: every aircraft tail features a different animal mascot, a deliberate quirk that sets it apart visually from every other US carrier. Like Spirit, Frontier operates on an unbundled fare model where the base fare is stripped down and revenue comes heavily from ancillary purchases like bags, seat selection, and its Discount Den membership program. Frontier attempted to acquire Spirit Airlines in 2022, a deal Spirit's shareholders ultimately rejected in favor of a JetBlue offer that later collapsed. Interviewers want people who genuinely believe in the low-cost model, not candidates who see it as a lesser version of a full-service airline.
Common questions and how to answer them
How would you explain Frontier's a-la-carte pricing to a customer who's frustrated about paying extra fees? Frame it around choice and lower base fares rather than getting defensive about the fee structure. Frontier tried to acquire Spirit in 2022 and lost. What does that tell you about the ultra-low-cost airline market? A good answer shows awareness of industry consolidation pressure without overreaching into speculation. Tell us about a time you had to control costs without cutting quality where it mattered. This connects directly to how Frontier runs its entire operation.
How to prepare
Know that Frontier is owned by Indigo Partners and be able to explain the ultra-low-cost model in your own words, since interviewers want to know you understand why the fees exist, not just that they do. Be ready to talk about the 2022 attempted Spirit acquisition if you're interviewing for a strategy, network, or commercial role, since it's a real and recent part of the company's history. For customer-facing roles, practice explaining ancillary fees in a way that sounds like value, not an apology.