Frontier begins cabin retrofits ahead of March first class launch

Frontier Airlines has begun retrofitting its aircraft and will launch a new first class cabin from 5 March 2027, according to Simple Flying. The cabin will have eight seats per aircraft, alongside power outlets and Starlink Wi-Fi. The retrofits started in October 2026, and the changes affect passengers on the ultra-low-cost carrier's all-Airbus A320-family fleet.

What has been announced

Simple Flying reports that the details come from a leaked internal document shared with View From The Wing. Each aircraft will receive eight first class seats, arranged two-by-two in the first two rows. Frontier operates only A320-series aircraft and has been taking delivery of A320neo and A321neo jets.

Power outlets will be installed at each seat, together with Starlink Wi-Fi. The memo reportedly did not say what type of outlets will be fitted, and it referred to a wider "cabin refresh" without spelling out what that means beyond first class.

How the transition will work

Before the official launch, Frontier will sell the seats on reconfigured aircraft as UpFront Plus. Simple Flying says passengers will be able to try the new seats in the meantime, but cabin service will not change until the formal rollout. Frontier's seating page will show whether the front seats on a given flight are the new first class or the older UpFront Plus, which is a row of standard economy seats with extra legroom and the middle seat blocked. The memo suggests UpFront Plus will be phased out.

The seats are Geven's Comoda model, 21 inches wide, first shown at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg. Simple Flying says Frontier mentioned on a July earnings call that it may expand beyond eight seats. The airline first announced a new first class in 2024 for a 2025 debut, but the plan was delayed.

Starlink and onboard service

Frontier has not announced Starlink pricing. Simple Flying expects a fee is likely, noting that Southwest Airlines and United Airlines offer Starlink free through sponsorships for members of their frequent flyer programmes. That expectation is the outlet's assessment, not a Frontier statement.

On service, the publication says drinks and snacks are not part of the plans announced so far, so first class appears to offer a wider seat with power and Wi-Fi rather than a full premium meal service.

What this means for travellers

• From 5 March 2027, Frontier passengers can book a first class seat with power and Wi-Fi access, replacing UpFront Plus.
• Before then, check the seating page when booking, as it will show whether a flight has the new seats or UpFront Plus.
• Fares for first class, Starlink pricing and the type of power outlets have not been disclosed.
• Starlink may be available to all passengers, not only those in first class, though pricing and access rules are not yet known.

It is also unclear which aircraft will be retrofitted first and how quickly the whole fleet will be completed.

Sources: Simple Flying.