‘Absolutely awesome’: Frontier Airlines to offer $19 flights to Philadelphia starting in May

Many Pitt students hail from eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, colloquially known as “just outside of Philly.” Traveling home is about to become cheaper with new $19 flights from Frontier Airlines.

“I think it’s absolutely awesome,” Kristin Bindas, a senior bioengineering major, said. “And I really wish that it came sooner so I [could] take advantage of it. I do end up taking a trip out to Philly at least two or three times a semester.” 

Starting May 16, Frontier Airlines will offer service to four new destinations from Pittsburgh International Airport — Philadelphia, Atlanta, Raleigh-Durham and Fort Worth. 

Josh Flyr, vice president of network and operations design for Frontier Airlines, told the Pittsburgh Post Gazette that flights will start at $19 and that the airline is excited to provide a cheaper travel option. 

Right now, one-way nonstop flights from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh for two months out are averaging around $300. Round-trip flights are averaging $400. The flights take around an hour compared to the drive, which is usually around four and a half to five hours. 

“In the case of Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, existing airfares are sky high, and turnpike tolls alone can cost between $100 and $150 on a round trip basis,” Flyr said. “With Frontier Airlines fares starting at $19 to Philadelphia, we’re excited to get western Pennsylvanians out of the car and back flying again.”

Marina Burke, a junior psychology major from the Philadelphia area, said this new flight would open up some new travel possibilities for her.

“Flights home are expensive,” Burke said. “I would definitely be interested in this option. I also have been contemplating staying in Oakland over the summer, so this flight would allow me to come home and visit more often.” 

Bindas feels this new flight will reduce the frequent hassles of traveling.

“It’s really stressful having to get up at 5 a.m. and catch the 6 a.m. bus or get up at 6 a.m. and catch the 7:30 a.m. train, and it would make my experience traveling a whole lot easier to have a cheap direct flight to Philly for sure,” Bindas said.

Burke feels that, from personal experience, many students choose to drive home because of how expensive air travel is for such a short flight.

“More students drive than fly, but some do fly,” Burke said. “I don’t personally have a car on campus — if I do drive, it’s because someone offered to take me home. Flying is quicker and my parents can easily pick me up from the Philadelphia airport.” 

Bryan Dietz, senior vice president of air service and commercial development at Allegheny County Airport Authority, told the Pittsburgh Post Gazette that he is “thrilled” about the new flight.

“Frontier has a lot of choices that they can look at when placing aircraft, looking across the world and throughout the Caribbean,” Dietz said. “It means a lot to us that they picked Pittsburgh International Airport for this expansion.” 

Even though Frontier is a ‘budget’ airline, Bindas said that does not matter to her.

“I don’t have anything against [budget airlines],” Bindas said. “For such a small flight like Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, I don’t think it really would affect my decision at all, especially if it were cheap. I would be glad to jump on a flight no matter what the airline was.”