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In a significant enlargement timed for one in every of America’s most iconic celebrations, Frontier Airways has introduced it should add 12 new routes and enhance service frequency to New Orleans for Mardi Gras 2026, making it simpler and extra reasonably priced for revelers throughout the nation to expertise the legendary festivities within the Huge Straightforward.
From February 12 to 22, 2026, Frontier will function nonstop service to Louis Armstrong New Orleans Worldwide Airport (MSY) from 22 airports nationwide, representing the ultra-low-cost provider’s most formidable seasonal enlargement up to now. The timing coincides with Fats Tuesday falling on February 17, 2026, when the Mardi Gras celebrations attain their crescendo.
Large Route Growth Throughout America
The 12 new limited-time routes span coast to coast, connecting New Orleans to main markets which have by no means had direct Frontier service to the Crescent Metropolis. The brand new locations embody:
New Routes to New Orleans:
- Charlotte, NC (CLT) – Beginning February 12, thrice weekly
- Newark (EWR) – Beginning February 12, thrice weekly
- New York JFK – Beginning February 12, 4 instances weekly
- New York LaGuardia (LGA) – Beginning February 12, twice weekly
- Las Vegas (LAS) – Beginning February 12, every day service
- Chicago O’Hare (ORD) – Beginning February 12, 4 instances weekly
- Austin (AUS) – Beginning February 12, twice weekly
- Cincinnati (CVG) – Beginning February 12, twice weekly
- Washington Dulles (IAD) – Beginning February 12, twice weekly
- Miami (MIA) – Beginning February 12, twice weekly
- Tampa (TPA) – Beginning February 13, twice weekly
- Phoenix (PHX) – Beginning February 12, thrice weekly
Boosting Present Service
Past the brand new routes, Frontier can be growing flight frequency on 10 present routes to New Orleans throughout the Mardi Gras interval, offering vacationers with larger flexibility and extra handy schedules. These enhanced routes embody service from cities the place Frontier already operates to New Orleans however will add additional flights throughout peak demand.
“Mardi Gras is among the most iconic celebrations within the U.S., and we’re excited to offer celebrants from throughout the nation with simple, reasonably priced entry to the Huge Straightforward this February,” mentioned Josh Flyr, vice chairman of community and operations design at Frontier Airways.
Strategic Timing for Most Affect
The February 12-22 window captures the center of Mardi Gras season, when lodge charges soar and flight demand usually peaks. Frontier’s enlargement addresses a longstanding problem for vacationers searching for reasonably priced entry to New Orleans throughout this era, when legacy carriers typically command premium pricing.
The announcement comes as Frontier continues its broader community enlargement technique, having already added quite a few routes all through 2025. The airline has been notably aggressive in focusing on main metropolitan areas, working towards its said aim of turning into the main low-cost provider within the 20 largest U.S. metro markets.
The “New Frontier” Expertise
This Mardi Gras enlargement coincides with Frontier’s complete rebranding effort dubbed “The New Frontier,” which goals to shed the airline’s no-frills popularity in favor of a extra elevated journey expertise whereas sustaining low fares.
Key enhancements rolling out embody:
Enhanced Seating Choices:
- UpFront Plus seating – Additional legroom within the first two rows with assured empty center seats
- First Class seating – Starting in late 2025, providing premium consolation at reasonably priced costs
Loyalty Program Overhaul:
- Simplified FRONTIER Miles program with quicker incomes and redemption
- Elite standing achievable with simply 10,000 miles
- Household mile pooling permitting households to mix miles
- Limitless companion journey for loyal members
Service Enhancements:
- Enhanced customer support coaching
- Improved on-time efficiency initiatives
- Upgraded airport experiences
Financial Affect on New Orleans
The expanded service is anticipated to offer a big increase to New Orleans’ tourism economic system throughout its most necessary celebration. Louis Armstrong New Orleans Worldwide Airport and native tourism officers have lengthy sought extra airlift throughout Mardi Gras season, when lodge occupancy charges method 100% and town welcomes lots of of 1000’s of tourists.
“This enlargement by Frontier supplies large worth for guests desirous to expertise the magic of Mardi Gras,” mentioned tourism officers. The extra seats assist accommodate pent-up demand whereas retaining journey prices manageable for households and budget-conscious vacationers.
Getting ready for Fats Tuesday
As Fats Tuesday 2026 approaches, Frontier’s expanded service menu provides vacationers unprecedented choices for reaching New Orleans throughout Mardi Gras. From the leisure capital of Las Vegas to the enterprise facilities of New York, Chicago, and Charlotte, revelers throughout America now have direct entry to the parades, events, and pageantry that make Mardi Gras a uniquely American celebration.
The enlargement represents extra than simply extra flights, it’s Frontier’s guess that Individuals are prepared for reasonably priced, direct entry to one of many nation’s most beloved festivals. Because the airline continues its transformation underneath “The New Frontier” initiative, this Mardi Gras enlargement serves as a proving floor for its enhanced service mannequin and impressive development plans.
For vacationers planning their 2026 Mardi Gras journey, the message is obvious: the nice instances are about to roll, and getting there simply turned a complete lot simpler.
