Frontier Axes A321XLR Order, Defers Airbus Deliveries

‍DALLAS — Following in the footsteps of other low-cost carriers JetBlue (B6) and Spirit Airlines (NK), the Denver-based (DEN) carrier Frontier Airlines (F9) has announced that it has canceled its order for the Airbus A321XLR. F9 has also deferred all orders for other Airbus aircraft. It has also converted 18 Airbus A320neo aircraft ordered to Airbus A321neos. 

The ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) had eleven A321neo aircraft scheduled for delivery during the remainder of this year. However, F9 has adjusted its order book from 2025 to 2029. In June this year, the airline ordered 198 aircraft including 49 A320neos and 149 A321neo aircraft. Deliveries for these planes are expected through until 2029.

Deferring Airbus Orders

Frontier has deferred previously scheduled firm aircraft delivery dates from 2025 to 2028 to a later period, starting in 2029. The ULCC has also cut its delivery of Airbus aircraft in two, expecting 21 aircraft in 2025, 22 in 2026, 34 in 2027, 34 in 2028, and 36 in 2029. After 2030, F9 expects to take delivery of a further 40 aircraft.

The ULCC was the first US carrier to order an Airbus A321XLR five years ago, in July 2019. However, given capacity constraints, F9's cancellation of the A321XLR is no surprise. Other carriers, including  B6, have delayed their A321XLR orders to 2030. NK has delayed the delivery of its A320neo aircraft from 2030 to 2031.