Frontier Airlines, the eighth-largest airline in the US, has given a big warning about the future of air travel in the US. The airline made $929 million in the second quarter of 2025, but it also lost $70 million. CEO Barry L. Biffle said that the airline is still on course to make money in 2026, even if it lost money this year. He also predicted that the number of flights would go down across the board.
Why Airlines Are Reducing Domestic Flights
Biffle says that the main reason for these cuts is that many airlines are losing money on local flights, especially when foreign routes and code-sharing are not included. He said that there are too many flights relative to demand, which means that many domestic routes have to run at a loss. Because of this, both Frontier and other airlines are likely to cut back on the number of routes they fly to in the U.S.
These adjustments will probably affect less popular travel days, times of year when fewer people travel, and smaller markets. This change in strategy is part of a larger trend in the business to put making money ahead of giving customers a lot of route options.
Scott Kirby, the CEO of United Airlines, has also backed this assertion, saying that a “double-digit percentage” of flights run by airlines other than United and Delta are losing money. He claimed that airlines can only make money by not flying on these routes that lose money, which means that they will have to cut back on their itineraries.
What it means for travelers and the future of flying
These widespread flight cuts could have a number of effects on passengers:
Fewer Flight Options: Travelers may have fewer options for flight timings, especially at times when fewer people are flying.
Less Service to Smaller Airports: Smaller airports and markets are expected to be the most affected.
Higher Prices: Since there are fewer flights available, the prices of the ones that are still available will probably go up.
More Crowded Flights: As flights are combined, peak travel times will likely become more crowded.
Experts are advising travelers to be flexible with their schedules, book their tickets early, and consider alternative airports. Budget airlines like Spirit have already started cutting back on flights that aren’t as popular. Bigger cuts are likely to happen in 2026. The time of cheap domestic flights, especially during off-peak times, may be coming to an end.