Frontier Airlines will launch its first flights to Colombia in December 2026, marking the carrier’s debut in South America.

The airline will connect Orlando International Airport with Bogotá, Cartagena and Medellín, giving passengers new nonstop options between Central Florida and three of Colombia’s most important destinations.

Introductory one-way fares start at $99, but these prices include only Frontier’s most basic allowance. Passengers needing a full-sized cabin bag, checked luggage or an assigned seat could pay considerably more.

All three routes remain subject to government approval.

Medellín will become Frontier’s first Colombian destination when daily flights begin on the 10th December 2026.

Flights between Orlando and Bogotá will follow on the 14th December. The service will initially operate six times per week before increasing to daily from the 6th March 2027.

The third route, between Orlando and Cartagena, will launch on the 19th December 2026 and operate once per week.

Frontier announced the following introductory fares:

The promotional fares were offered for selected travel between the 14th January and the 5th April 2027, with blackout dates applying between the 23rd and 30th March. Availability is limited and the lowest prices will not necessarily be offered on every flight.

Frontier’s official announcement describes the expansion as its first service to both Colombia and South America.

Orlando has strong links with Latin America and provides Frontier with a substantial local leisure market at both ends of the routes.

The city is one of the most popular US destinations for Colombian visitors, particularly those travelling to its theme parks, attractions and shopping centres. The routes will also make Colombia more accessible to travellers based across Central Florida.

Orlando can provide connections to other destinations within Frontier’s network, although passengers should examine the itinerary carefully. Connections on an ultra-low-cost airline may involve longer waits, and protection will depend on whether the entire journey is booked under one reservation.

Frontier believes there is unmet demand for lower-cost travel between Orlando and Colombia. It will also gain access to three quite different passenger markets.

Bogotá is Colombia’s capital and its largest international aviation hub. Medellín attracts business traffic, people visiting friends and relatives and a growing number of international tourists. Cartagena is primarily a leisure destination, although its once-weekly frequency will make it less flexible than Frontier’s other two routes.

Technically, it can be. A passenger travelling only with a small personal item and accepting an automatically allocated seat could pay close to the advertised fare, plus any applicable taxes and charges shown during booking.

That will not reflect the requirements of many international travellers.

Frontier’s basic fare does not normally include a full-sized carry-on bag, checked luggage or advance seat selection. Food and drinks onboard are also available for purchase rather than being included.

The free personal item must fit beneath the seat and cannot exceed 14 by 18 by 8 inches, including its handles, wheels and straps.

A larger cabin bag can measure up to 24 by 16 by 10 inches and weigh no more than 35lb, but it must be purchased separately unless included through a bundle or eligible loyalty benefit.

Standard checked luggage is limited to 40lb, or approximately 18kg. This is lower than the 23kg allowance commonly offered by full-service airlines. Frontier charges additional fees for bags weighing between 41lb and 50lb, with a larger charge applying above that level. Frontier publishes its current baggage limits online.

Baggage and seat prices can vary according to the flight, purchase date and point in the booking process. Fees are generally higher when added later or paid at the airport.

The only reliable way to assess the fare is to proceed through the booking process with every required extra selected, then compare the final total with rival airlines.

A realistic comparison should include:

The return journey must also be priced separately. A $99 outbound flight does not guarantee that the return will be available at the same fare.

Travellers should then compare the finished price with airlines such as Avianca, JetBlue, Spirit and other carriers offering direct or connecting services between Florida and Colombia.

A traditional airline may initially appear more expensive but offer better overall value once baggage and seating are included. Conversely, Frontier could remain significantly cheaper for somebody travelling lightly who is flexible about where they sit.

Although Frontier remains an ultra-low-cost airline, it has been introducing products designed to appeal to passengers prepared to pay for additional space.

Its UpFront Plus option provides a window or aisle seat in the first two rows, additional legroom and a guaranteed empty middle seat. This creates a product resembling European short-haul Business Class seating, although without the full-service inclusions typically associated with the cabin.

Frontier also intends to introduce a First Class product during 2026. Passengers should check the aircraft and seating plan offered on their particular Colombian flight, as the availability of upgraded products may vary.

The airline is also preparing to introduce Starlink Wi-Fi, although passengers should not assume that every aircraft will be equipped when the new routes launch.

Frontier’s arrival in Colombia reflects the growing reach of US ultra-low-cost airlines.

These carriers were once associated primarily with short domestic flights, but newer aircraft allow them to operate longer services into the Caribbean, Central America and northern parts of South America.

Colombia is particularly attractive because of its tourism growth, established family links with the United States and demand for affordable fares. Orlando also gives Frontier a base from which it can target both US holidaymakers and Colombian residents visiting Florida.

The Bogotá and Medellín frequencies suggest that Frontier expects more than purely seasonal leisure demand. Daily or near-daily flights are considerably more useful to passengers than the once-weekly Cartagena service, particularly if plans change or a flight is disrupted.

However, passengers should consider the limited recovery options available when booking any route operated only once per week. A cancellation could result in a lengthy wait if Frontier cannot provide a suitable alternative.

Frontier’s move into Colombia is a significant expansion for the airline and introduces additional competition on three important routes from Orlando.

The $99 starting fare to Bogotá is likely to attract attention, but it should not be treated as the cost of a typical international journey. Travellers carrying conventional luggage or wishing to select a seat must compare the complete booking total rather than the first price displayed.

For passengers travelling with little more than a small personal item, Frontier could provide genuinely inexpensive access to Colombia. For everyone else, the value will depend on the cost of extras and how the final price compares with airlines offering more within the fare.

The most promising routes are Bogotá and Medellín, where frequent services will offer passengers greater flexibility. Cartagena’s weekly flight may still appeal to leisure travellers, but the limited schedule requires considerably more caution when planning connections or time-sensitive journeys.