Frontier Is Rolling Out First Class Seats Early. What Travelers Should Know Before Booking
Frontier Airlines is finally bringing first class to its planes, but you might get to try the new seats before the official launch. The budget carrier plans to start installing them in late October, months before it begins selling first class tickets in March 2027.
And there's a potential perk for travelers willing to book during that gap. Depending on the aircraft, you could end up with a roomier first class seat for the price of Frontier's existing UpFront Plus option.
How to get the bigger seat
According to an internal memo to flight attendants, Frontier will begin modifying its aircraft in late October 2026, ahead of the official first class launch on March 5, 2027.
Frontier’s Front Cabin Arrives in Stages Through 2027
Key dates for Frontier’s first class rollout, upgrade rules and onboard upgrades, as of Oct. 2026
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| Late Oct. 2026 | Aircraft modifications begin; new seats sold as UpFront Plus |
| Jan. 1, 2027 | Complimentary upgrades require buying a bundle |
| Mar. 5, 2027 | First class formally launches |
| Mar. 2027 | Fleetwide conversion expected to finish |
| Mid-2027 | Starlink Wi-Fi scheduled to arrive |
Until then, the new seats will be sold as UpFront Plus, although not every plane will have them right away. Depending on your flight, that booking could get you either a larger 2-by-2 seat or a regular economy seat with the middle seat left empty.
The difference comes down to which aircraft you're flying, so it's worth checking the seat map before booking. Frontier expects to finish converting its fleet by March 2027, giving travelers a few months to potentially get the upgraded seat before first class officially goes on sale.
What you're actually getting
Each aircraft will have eight first class seats across the first two rows, with two seats on either side of the aisle instead of the usual three.
Frontier has chosen Italian manufacturer Geven's Comoda platform for the new cabin. The seats are larger and come pre-reclined, but you won't be able to recline them any further.
And don't expect the usual first class perks. Food and drinks won't be complimentary, meaning you'll still have to pay for snacks and beverages just as you would in economy.
"What Frontier is offering is essentially more along the lines of the initial Spirit 'Big Front Seat.'"
Ben Schlappig, One Mile at a Time
Schlappig also argued that adding complimentary alcoholic drinks and some food could make passengers more willing to pay for the upgrade.
The catch for elite members
While the new seats could be a good deal for some travelers, Frontier is also changing how complimentary upgrades work for its elite members.
Starting with bookings made on Jan. 1, 2027, members will need to purchase a bundle to qualify for complimentary UpFront Plus or first class upgrades. Previously, eligible members could receive these upgrades without that additional purchase.
The upgrade windows will still depend on status, opening 24 hours before departure for Diamond members, 18 hours for Platinum, eight hours for Gold, and four hours for Silver.
Upgrade Windows Shrink Down the Elite Ladder
Hours before departure that Frontier elites become eligible for upgrades, by status tier, as of Oct. 2026
Bar chart. Hours before departure. Diamond: Hours before departure 24. Platinum: Hours before departure 18. Gold: Hours before departure 8. Silver: Hours before departure 4.
There's one important exception. Bookings made before Jan. 1, 2027 won't be subject to the new bundle requirement, so eligible members planning to travel next year may want to book before the deadline. It's still worth checking Frontier's current upgrade terms before making a reservation.
More changes are coming
The new cabin isn't the only upgrade Frontier has planned. The airline is also adding in-seat power and refreshing its interiors during 2027, although it hasn't confirmed whether passengers will get USB ports, standard outlets, or both.
Internet access is another major addition. Frontier currently doesn't offer onboard Wi-Fi, but Starlink service is expected to arrive in mid-2027. On its July earnings call, the airline said it hoped to complete the rollout before summer 2027.
For passengers who want to work during a flight, having Wi-Fi and a way to charge their devices could make Frontier a more practical option without giving up its lower fares.
The move also reflects growing demand for premium seating. Paid occupancy for UpFront Plus has climbed above 80%, encouraging Frontier to consider adding more seats at the front of its planes.
Interestingly, Frontier's expansion comes just as American Airlines prepares to retire its own Flagship First product on transcontinental flights starting March 28, 2027.
American says customers increasingly prefer an improved business class experience over traditional first class. Frontier, meanwhile, is betting that passengers will pay a little more for a bigger seat, even without the extras usually associated with the name.
For travelers, the appeal is fairly simple. If you're already considering UpFront Plus, checking which aircraft you're booking could get you a better seat before Frontier starts charging for it as first class.
