US and Colombia Gain New Low Cost Flights as Frontier Launches Orlando Routes to Three Cities
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The US and Colombia gain new low cost flights as Frontier launches Orlando routes to three cities, with nonstop services to Medellín, Bogotá and Cartagena scheduled to begin in December 2026. The expansion will mark Frontier Airlines’ first entry into South America and give travellers from Central Florida new budget-focused options to reach three of Colombia’s biggest tourism and business destinations.
Frontier Airlines Makes Its First Move Into South America
Frontier Airlines is preparing a major international expansion from Orlando International Airport, adding Colombia to its network for the first time.
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The US low-cost carrier announced on September 10, 2026, that it will introduce three nonstop routes from Orlando to Colombia during December. The destinations are Medellín, Bogotá and Cartagena.
The expansion is significant because Colombia will become Frontier’s first South American market.
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Rather than entering the continent with a single experimental connection, Frontier is planning three routes serving distinct travel segments. Bogotá offers access to Colombia’s capital and largest aviation market, Medellín combines business and leisure demand, while Cartagena is one of the country’s leading Caribbean tourism destinations.
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All three services remain subject to government approval, and Frontier says schedules and frequencies can change.
Frontier’s New Orlando-Colombia Flight Schedule
The three routes will not launch simultaneously. Frontier plans to introduce them progressively throughout December.
| Route from Orlando | Launch date | Planned frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Orlando-Medellín | December 10, 2026 | Daily |
| Orlando-Bogotá | December 14, 2026 | Six weekly initially |
| Orlando-Cartagena | December 19, 2026 | Once weekly |
The Bogotá service is expected to increase from six flights per week to daily operations beginning March 6, 2027.
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Frontier introduced promotional one-way fares starting from $99 on selected Colombia services when the routes were announced. Those promotional fares were subject to booking periods, eligible travel dates, availability, blackout dates and other conditions, meaning they should not be interpreted as permanent prices.
Medellín Gets Frontier’s First Colombia Flight
Medellín is scheduled to become Frontier’s first destination in South America when daily Orlando flights begin on December 10.
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Flights will serve José María Córdova International Airport, the principal international gateway for the Medellín metropolitan area.
Daily frequency gives the Medellín route the strongest initial schedule of Frontier’s three Colombian launches. That can make the service particularly relevant for leisure travellers, people visiting friends and relatives and passengers seeking a lower-cost alternative between Central Florida and Colombia.
Medellín has developed into an increasingly prominent Colombian visitor destination, combining an urban tourism economy with access to the wider Antioquia region.
The daily schedule also gives travellers more flexibility than a limited weekly seasonal operation.
Bogotá Service Strengthens Capital-to-Florida Connectivity
Four days after Medellín launches, Frontier plans to begin Orlando-Bogotá flights on December 14.
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The service will connect Orlando International Airport with El Dorado International Airport.
Frontier initially plans six weekly flights. The carrier then intends to increase the route to daily service from March 6, 2027.
Bogotá is a strategically important addition because it is Colombia’s capital as well as its principal aviation centre. The city serves government, corporate, cultural, educational and tourism traffic while functioning as an important connecting point for domestic travel across Colombia.
For travellers beginning their journey in Orlando, the new route provides another nonstop option for reaching the Colombian capital.
Cartagena Adds a Tourism-Focused Connection
Cartagena will become Frontier’s third Colombian destination on December 19.
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The Orlando-Cartagena service is scheduled to operate once per week initially, giving it a much smaller frequency than Medellín or Bogotá.
However, Cartagena has a different market profile.
The Caribbean coastal city is one of Colombia’s best-known international tourism destinations, drawing travellers for its historic centre, Caribbean coastline, cultural attractions and resort market.
A direct Orlando connection therefore has clear leisure potential, particularly for price-conscious travellers looking for international holidays from Central Florida.
The route will operate through Rafael Núñez International Airport.
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Why Orlando Is Central to Frontier’s Colombia Strategy
Frontier has chosen Orlando as the launching point for all three of its first South American routes.
Orlando International Airport serves one of the largest tourism markets in the United States and provides access to a broad Central Florida population. The airport also handles substantial international traffic from Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority said the new flights would provide passengers with additional airline choices while improving connectivity between Central Florida and Colombia.
For Frontier, concentrating the new Colombian services at one US airport may also help establish Orlando as a stronger international point within its network.
The three additions create connections with different types of Colombian markets rather than concentrating entirely on one passenger segment.
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Key demand opportunities include:
- Leisure travel between Florida and Colombia
- Visiting-friends-and-relatives traffic
- Colombian travellers visiting Orlando
- Holiday travel to Cartagena
- Business traffic involving Bogotá and Medellín
- Price-sensitive international passengers
- Travellers connecting to Frontier’s wider US network
Colombia Becomes a Major Milestone for Frontier
The expansion is bigger than three new routes because it changes the geographic footprint of Frontier Airlines.
Frontier already serves international destinations across Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Adding Colombia takes its scheduled network into South America for the first time.
Frontier’s own destination platform now lists Colombia alongside its other markets in the Americas, with Bogotá, Cartagena and Medellín appearing as destinations.
The airline said when announcing the routes that it sees unmet demand for lower-cost travel between Orlando and Colombia.
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That strategy is consistent with the ultra-low-cost carrier model, where competitive base fares are used to attract price-sensitive travellers while optional products and services are sold separately.
What Travellers Need to Know
Passengers considering the new services should pay particular attention to the differences between Frontier’s three Colombian routes.
Medellín is planned as a daily service from launch. Bogotá starts at six flights per week before becoming daily in March 2027. Cartagena begins with only one weekly flight.
That means travellers will have substantially different levels of schedule flexibility depending on their destination.
Passengers should also consider Frontier’s fare structure when comparing prices. A low advertised base fare does not necessarily represent the final trip cost when optional services such as baggage, seat selection or other products are added.
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The airline has also stated that its Colombia routes remain subject to government approval.
A New Low Cost Competitor Enters the Colombia-US Market
Frontier’s arrival introduces another airline brand into the air travel market between Colombia and the United States.
Competition can be particularly important on international leisure routes because passengers often compare not only departure times but also base fares, baggage allowances, airport convenience and total journey cost.
The Orlando launch also demonstrates Frontier’s willingness to push its international network farther south.
If the new routes generate sustained passenger demand, Colombia could become an important test of the airline’s ability to extend its low-cost business model deeper into Latin America.
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For Colombia, the three connections add another potential channel for attracting visitors from Florida while improving direct access to Orlando for Colombian residents.
Conclusion
The US and Colombia gain new low cost flights as Frontier launches Orlando routes to three cities, with Medellín, Bogotá and Cartagena scheduled to join the airline’s network in December 2026. Medellín will lead the expansion with daily service from December 10, followed by Bogotá on December 14 and Cartagena on December 19. Beyond adding new nonstop options, the expansion represents Frontier Airlines’ first move into South America and creates a new low-cost link between Central Florida and three major Colombian destinations.
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