Frontier UpFront Plus: What Occasional Flyers Should Know About the Seat Swap on Former Spirit Routes

Frontier UpFront Plus is the closest thing to Spirit’s Big Front Seat on the eight routes Frontier grabbed after Spirit shut down, but it is not the same seat.
You get a blocked middle and a front-row spot, not a wider recliner. My verdict: a fair trade if Frontier prices it right, a downgrade if you crave hip room.

When Spirit Airlines shut down for good in May 2026, it didn’t just leave a hole in the flight schedule.
It left a void for travelers who were addicted to the “budget first class.” For years, we knew where to go for a cheap, wide seat. Now that Frontier has stepped into those city pairs, they’re offering a different kind of upgrade.

I’ve spent plenty of time in both cabins. Honestly, the shift says a lot about where budget travel is heading. We aren’t getting bigger seats anymore but are just paying to keep other people further away.

What is Frontier UpFront Plus compared to Spirit’s Big Front Seat?

Look, I’ll admit I almost sort-of miss the old Spirit setup. Back in 2012, I booked a base fare from LaGuardia to Fort Lauderdale for about $35. At check-in, I paid a $75 fee to move into the Big Front Seat, a 2×2 layout with no one next to me. It felt like domestic first class without the free gin and tonic.

Frontier UpFront Plus takes a different approach to the same problem. Instead of a custom, wider chair, Frontier uses their standard slimline seats. The verdict is a wash if the price is fair, but it is a clear downgrade for anyone who needs actual hip room.

Frontier guarantees the middle seat in the first two rows stays empty. Same seat. Just no neighbor. Service remains barebones on both carriers. You get the same seat width you’d find in row 30. Spirit’s Big Front Seat is about 20 inches wide, while Frontier UpFront Plus is about 18 inches wide.

The space is different. You get extra legroom in the first two rows. But the “plus” here is really about the elbow room, which makes it the European Business Class model. You’re paying for a buffer zone that works if you’re trying to use a laptop, not a wider seat base. That’s the trade.

Which Former Spirit Routes Did Frontier UpFront Plus Take Over?

Frontier didn’t just add random flights. They specifically targeted eight routes Spirit flew before it collapsed, non-stop connections that many occasional flyers rely on for quick weekend trips or business hops. Most of these service additions went live around July 5 or 6, 2026. That’s what makes this more than a random network tweak.

The list covers a lot of ground in the Eastern and Central U.S. You’ll now see Frontier flying between:

• Boston (BOS) and Orlando (MCO)
• Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) and New Orleans (MSY)
• Detroit (DTW) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
• Detroit (DTW) and Philadelphia (PHL)
• Detroit (DTW) and Las Vegas (LAS)
• Las Vegas (LAS) and Kansas City (MCI)
• Orlando (MCO) and Memphis (MEM)
• Orlando (MCO) and Richmond (RIC)

These are real utility routes.

While Frontier led with some $39 promotional fares, those won’t last. That’s the real question. The real story is whether you can replicate the comfort of the old Spirit routes on these new Frontier segments. You can find the full official announcement from Frontier here.

Should occasional flyers pay up for Frontier’s premium seat?

The decision to upgrade depends on your personal Splurge Math: for the occasional upgrader, paying for comfort without chasing elite status is the goal, but you have to know what you’re buying. That’s the whole point of this comparison. Frontier’s premium seat is selling personal space, not a larger chair.

If you are a broader traveler who valued the Big Front Seat for its wider width, this is a downgrade. The Frontier premium seat is still just 18 inches wide. But if your main goal is avoiding the “middle seat squeeze,” the value is there. That’s a different kind of win.

Modhop Splurge Math: The Upgrade Verdict

Frontier is rolling out a real first-class seat in 2026, a 2×2 pre-reclined seat in the first two rows that is the actual successor to Spirit’s Big Front Seat. UpFront Plus is the interim step.

Is it worth the extra cash? On a two-hour flight from Detroit to Philly, probably not. But on the long haul from Detroit to Las Vegas, that empty middle seat becomes a sanctuary.

I usually skip the upgrade on short hops. On longer routes, I get the appeal. But the appeal is mostly about not sharing space, not about getting a better seat. If the fare gap is modest, I get it. If Frontier starts pricing it like a real premium cabin, I’m out.

FAQ

Does Frontier UpFront Plus include free food and drinks?
No. It’s seat-only. Extra legroom, front row, blocked middle. Food and drink are buy-onboard.

Is Frontier UpFront Plus the same as Spirit’s Big Front Seat?
No. The Big Front Seat was a wider recliner, while UpFront Plus is a standard-width seat with an empty middle.

Which routes did Frontier take over from Spirit?
Eight former Spirit routes launched July 5-6, 2026. They connect cities including Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Las Vegas, and Orlando. Others include New Orleans, Memphis, Philadelphia, Richmond, Fort Lauderdale, and Kansas City.

How many rows are dedicated to this seating?
Typically, the first two rows of the aircraft are configured for this premium experience.

Join the Conversation

Have you tried the new Frontier setup on one of these former Spirit routes? Does the blocked middle seat actually make up for the narrower chair? Share your experience in the comments below.

Tagged as: airline seats Primary Category: Airline Intel,  budget airlines,  frontier airlines,  Frontier UpFront Plus,  occasional upgrader,  premium economy,  spirit airlines,  Spirit Big Front Seat.