Virtual Frontier operates a fleet of aircraft built over the past fifty years. These aircraft gives our pilots a well rounded selection of aircraft to fly, whether they want to try their hand at a tail dragger with minimal instruments, a turbo-prop across the mountains or the modern glass cockpits of the Airbus or CRJ. With over 2000 routes in the schedule, pilots will be able to find a route and aircraft which they will enjoy in the Virtual Frontier colors.
The initial order for new aircraft by the new Frontier Airlines included the Airbus 318. Known as the "mini-bus" it is three fuselage frames, or 6 meters, shorter than the Airbus 319. To compensate for this shorter length, the tail is taller than the Airbus 319 preventing the 318 from safely passing under the bridge at Denver International Airport. With a common flight deck to all of the other aircraft in the 320 series pilots can earn one type rating for all of these aircraft. Frontier Airlines accepted their first Airbus 318 aircraft in 2003, the first revenue earning 318 in the world.
The Airbus 319 is the workhorse of the new Frontier Airlines, accepting their first plane in 2001. While the aircraft seats less passengers than the Airbus 320, the 319's range is the highest in its class. With the range of the aircraft and its capacity of 132 passengers, these aircraft are used coast to coast as well as Alaska and Mexico by Frontier.
In 2006 Frontier Airlines announced they would add the Airbus 320 to their fleet, the initial aircraft of the 320 series. This allows pilots to fly a larger aircraft without additional training helping to control training and maintenance costs for the airline. Most likely adding another four rows of seats (24 total) this aircraft will be utilized on routes with high demand upon its addition to the fleet in 2008.
The Beechcraft 99 operated for the original Frontier Airlines. Produced by the Beech Aircraft Company as a replacement for the Beechcraft 18. With a range of 900nm this twin engine 15 seat aircraft provided feeder service for Frontier.
Developed from the Beechcraft 99, the Beechcraft 1900D is the workhorse of Great Lakes Aviation which has a codeshare agreement with the current Frontier Airlines. With a service altitude of 25,000 feet this aircraft services many small airports in the Rocky Mountain region.
The Boeing 727 was a reliable and vesatile aircraft for the original Frontier Airlines. With three engines it provided additional power for the high altitude of Denver, and was sized to fly to midsize airports with ease. Still in use in many parts of the world, the Boeing 727 with its rear mounted engines provides one of the quietest cabins.
As the only aircraft as part of both the original and current Frontier Airlines, the Boeing 737-200 is an extended version of the original Boeing 737-100. While the 100 series are no longer in operation in the world, the 200 series are still commonly flown as part of the highly successful 737 Boeing product line. Built with reused technology from the Boeing 707 and 727 to speed up development, the Boeing 737 product line is still built today. The 737-200 series were manufactured until 1988. In our fleet you will find these aircraft with the original Frontier and new Frontier livery.
The Boeing 737-300, part of the Boeing 737 Classic generation, joined the new Frontier Airlines fleet in the late 1990's due to continued growth. Featuring an animal on both sides of the tail, and the "Spirit of the West" slogan on the fuselage this aircraft provided better economics over the 200 series. This was due to the larger cabin, as well as more efficient engines which did not blow black smoke on takeoff as well as being quieter. The remaining Boeing 737-300 aircraft were retired from Frontier Airlines in April 2005.
In 2006 Frontier Airlines announced the Bombardier Q400 would be joining the fleet under a new subsidary which would serve destinations within 750 miles of Denver. This turboprop aircraft operated under the Lynx Aviation name will provide 70 seats in an economical aircraft for Frontier. With a cruise speed of 360 knots, max altitude of 25,000 feet and a modern flight deck the Q400 provides a solution comparable to jets for passengers while giving the airline a plane which provides better returns.
In 2002 the new Frontier Airlines signed an agreement with Mesa Airlines to provide feeder service using the Canadair Regional Jet 200. This service was branded Frontier JetExpress. Utilizing a fleet of CRJ-200 aircraft seating 50 passengers. With a modern cockpit, this aircraft to highly popular with airlines as it allows jet service with additiona frequencies at airports which may not be able to support a 100+ seat aircraft.
The Canadair Regional Jet 700 joined the new Frontier Airlines fleet in 2004 when Horizon Airlines took over the operation of Frontier JetExpress from Mesa Airlines. As a stretched version of the CRJ-200, this aircraft seats 70 passengers while flying up to 41,000 feet at Mach .78. To accommodate this stretch model, leading edge slats and a new wing were added to the aircraft.
Derived from the Convair 240, the Convair 340 was part of the original Frontier Airlines fleet in the 1950's. With a lengthened fuselage to hold four more passengers and enlarged wings for better performance at higher altitudes these aircraft were an integral part of Frontier Airlines short and medium haul routes.
Based on the Convair 340, the Convair 580 is the similar aircraft however with two Allison 501-D13D turboprop engines. This change provided a cruising speed of nearly 300 knots, or 50 knots faster than the Convair 340, as well as an extended range for the aircraft of around 1900nm.
The Twin Otter utilized by the original Frontier Airlines, excels at short take-off and landings (STOL). This capability makes the twenty seater aircraft successful at feeder operations. While this aircraft initially serviced the northern states, it eventually was used throughout the Frontier system.
One of the more popular and well known aircraft in aviation, the DC-3 was the first aircraft in the original Frontier Airlines fleet. During World War II many DC-3 aircraft were converted for military use, as well as the manufacturing of the DC-3 for military use. After the war these many aircraft were converted for commercial use and started many of the airlines of today. A true replacement for this rugged, versatile and reliable aircraft was never found due to the standard it set. A saying goes, "The only replacement for a DC-3 is another DC-3."
Part of the Great Lakes Aviation fleet, the Embraer Brasilia 120 is a twin-turboprop aircraft. Offering seating for 30 passengers, the Brasilia is utilized on the Lakes routes which demand the additional capacity and range. While this aircraft is not currently actively built by Embraer it is still available to order due to the similiarities with their regional jet aircraft.
Joining the JetExpress family in 2007, the Embraer 170 brings a new generation aircraft to the regional operations of Frontier. Operated by Republic Airways, this 70 seat aircraft has state-of-the-art avionics, superior cabin spaciousness and the efficiency afforded by being a modern aircraft.
Part of the original Frontier Airlines fleet at the end of their operations was the MD-80 aircraft which is the second generation of the DC-9. Seating over 170 passengers it provided an aircraft with additional capacity on high traffic routes. After Frontier was merged with Continental Airlines, these aircraft were utilized in their operations.