Frontier Airlines is adding additional routes to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) in February next year. The new seasonal routes are set to coincide with the world-famous Mardi Gras celebrations, making it easier for people from across the US to travel to the annual celebrations in New Orleans. While not the first time that Frontier has added capacity for Mardi Gras, it represents the airline’s biggest seasonal boost to date.
The airline will be adding 12 new routes to MSY, as well as increasing service frequency on its ten existing routes from February 12 to February 22, 2026. This comes as Frontier has also announced new miles redemption options for members of its loyalty program, allowing them to use miles for ancillary purchases such as checked bags and priority boarding.
Adding 12 New Routes To New Orleans
Frontier has been adding new routes at a rapid clip in recent months. Much of this expansion has been taking advantage of the retreat of Spirit Airlines as it has withdrawn from routes and cities across the nation amidst its second bankruptcy. But these new routes to New Orleans are seasonal-only, to cater for over a million visitors that are expected to head to the city for the Mardi Gras festivities in February.
The entire Carnival season for 2026 begins on Twelfth Night (January 6, 2026) and concludes on Fat Tuesday (February 17). Frontier is scheduling its expanded service to MSY to start before the final weekend leading up to Fat Tuesday, as that features the largest parades and draws the most crowds. As a result, Frontier’s Mardi Gras schedule will operate from February 12 to 22 next year, with peak schedules seeing the low-cost airline flying nonstop to New Orleans from 22 different US airports.
Josh Flyr, vice president of network and operations design at Frontier Airlines, was excited about the new routes when the new schedule was announced:.
“Mardi Gras is one of the most iconic celebrations in the US and we are excited to provide celebrants from across the country with easy, affordable access to the Big Easy this February.”
Details Of The New And Expanded Routes
This is not the first time that Frontier has added seasonal flights for Mardi Gras, but it is the airline’s biggest schedule change for the event, with 12 new nonstop routes being added. This will include new daily service from 
Chicago O’Hare International Airport in competition with 
American Airlines and United Airlines, and from 
Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas in competition with 
Southwest Airlines and Breeze Airways.
|
Frontier’s New Mardi Gras Routes To/From New Orleans |
||
|
City |
Start Date |
Frequency |
|
Austin |
February 13 |
3 x weekly |
|
Charlotte |
February 12 |
3 x weekly |
|
Chicago O’Hare |
February 12 |
Daily |
|
Cincinnati |
February 13 |
2 x weekly |
|
Las Vegas |
February 12 |
Daily |
|
Miami |
February 13 |
3 x weekly |
|
Newark |
February 12 |
3 x weekly |
|
New York LaGaurdia |
February 13 |
3 x weekly |
|
New York JFK |
February 12 |
4 x weekly |
|
Phoenix |
February 13 |
3 x weekly |
|
Tampa |
February 13 |
2 x weekly |
|
Washington Dulles |
February 13 |
2 x weekly |
In addition, Frontier will also be increasing the frequency on ten of its existing routes over this same period. These include Atlanta, Baltimore, Cleveland, Denver, Dallas-Fort Worth, Detroit, Houston, Orlando, Philadelphia, and Raleigh-Durham
Frontier Adds New Miles Redemption Options
Frontier has also announced a new benefit for members of its Frontier Miles loyalty program, expanding how travelers can use their miles. In addition to redeeming miles for award flights, members can now redeem miles for bundles that include popular travel add-ons such as bags, seat selection, priority boarding, and no change or cancel fees, and more.
Starting today, members booking at flyfrontier.com can redeem miles for the following bundles:
- Economy bundle: Starting at 2,000 miles, includes a carry-on bag, standard seat selection, and no change or cancel fees.
- Premium bundle: Starting at 4,000 miles, includes a carry-on bag, premium seat selection, and no change or cancel fees.
- Business bundle: Starting at 8,000 miles, includes a carry-on bag, two checked bags, UpFront Plus seat selection, and no change or cancel fees.
This is the latest enhancement the airline is making under its ‘New Frontier’ program, which has introduced sweeping changes as Frontier positions itself for a world where it believes it will be the last remaining low-cost carrier in the US. Among the enhancements is UpFront Plus seating, an upgraded seating option with extra leg and elbow room in the first two rows of the aircraft. Debuting in late 2025, Frontier will add to this by offering First Class seating in a 2-2 configuration.
