I flew on Frontier's new A321neo across the US and its revamped cabin didn't make it any more comfortable but I'd still fly on the jet again

Taylor RainsJan 13, 2024, 20:10 IST

Frontier's A321neo is cramped and uncomfortable but may be worth taking for the low fares.Taylor Rains/Insider

Frontier Airlines welcomed the Airbus A321neo last year, which can carry 240 people in an all-economy cabin.
The plane comes with "revamped" seats designed for comfort and efficiency.

Frontier Airlines received its first Airbus A321neo in October 2022, touting it as the most fuel-efficient commercial airliner in the US.

The dense plane can carry up to 240 people in an all-economy cabin and sports the airline's latest seat design, which was introduced in 2021 and is supposed to offer enhanced comfort and efficiency.

I recently flew on Frontier's A321neo to see how the product faired.

While I think the "revamped" seats aren't much more comfortable than previous versions, Frontier's low prices sometimes make the hard, cramped cabin worth it.

Here's what my four-hour journey from Las Vegas to Orlando was like.

I boarded my Frontier A321neo in Las Vegas at around 5:30 a.m. for a 6:15 a.m. departure.

Boarding my early morning Orlando-bound flight in Las Vegas.Taylor Rains/Insider

For this trip, I was traveling via Frontier's all-you-can-fly pass and didn't add on any extras, so I got a randomly assigned seat and a personal item.

The GoWild! fare was $15 instead of the regular $123, which I was able to book the day before I flew.Frontier Airlines

My personal item is a backpack that measures 11.8 inches long, 7.5 inches wide, and 15.7 high.

My backpack fit perfectly inside the personal item size checker.Taylor Rains/Insider

I boarded in Zone 3 and got to seat 40F — a window seat in the plane's last row.

An agent checked the size of personal items as people boarded.Taylor Rains/Insider

I boarded in Zone 3 and made my way to seat 40F — a window seat in the last row of the plane.

The view from seat 40F.Taylor Rains/Insider

In an attempt to improve its product, Frontier has adopted a new cabin seat for a chunk of its Airbus planes.

The front row of seats.Taylor Rains/Insider

Shortly after takeoff, I ordered breakfast from Frontier's pricey onboard cafe.

The "Fly Bar" menu on Frontier.Taylor Rains/Insider

I snacked for a bit and then did my best to get comfortable enough to sleep — but it wasn't easy.

The $9 cheese tray.Taylor Rains/Insider

Being a regular low-cost flyer, I'm no stranger to Frontier's less-than-stellar onboard product.

The slim seats on one of Frontier's A320s.Taylor Rains/Insider

But, I rarely shy away from flying on the carrier, especially when it's significantly cheaper than competitors.

The views flying over Miami on a different flight.Taylor Rains/Insider

The low fares have a tradeoff though — painfully uncomfortable seats.

The author's arm shows the distance between the seats on a Frontier A320.Taylor Rains/Insider

I found the new seat isn't much better than the old seat.

Frontier's seat design for its Airbus A321neo.Taylor Rains/Insider

According to Recaro, the "ergonomic seat design" has revamped tray tables and armrests.

Deplaning the Frontier A321neo in Orlando.Taylor Rains/Insider

I had higher expectations for Frontier's new Recaro seat.

Flying on Frontier's A321neo.Taylor Rains/Insider

The 28 inches of pitch and narrow frame made the seat feel very cramped, even being only 5'3" tall and on the smaller side.

The legroom when sitting straight up, with an inch or two of clearance between my knees and the seatback.Taylor Rains/Insider

Plus, my personal item took up most of my foot space.

I moved my legs in all sorts of positions to try to get comfortable and ended up using my backpack as a footrest.Taylor Rains/Insider

There was also a particular problem with row 40 — there's no window.

The fuselage wall with no window.Taylor Rains/Insider

I did find a few upsides, though. The seatback pocket was big, and the corner nook offered seemingly extra privacy.

The seatback pocket helped contain the clutter.Taylor Rains/Insider

Moreover, the tray table was larger than the teeny ones in Frontier's old cabin — meaning I could actually use it to sleep.

The tray table on my A321neo flight (top two) compared to the small one on a Frontier A320 (bottom).Taylor Rains/Insider

The small space was still pretty miserable overall, especially on the long transcontinental journey.

Small personal items will allow for more foot space, but that's the trade-off for saving on a carry-on.Taylor Rains/Insider

But, considering I plan to continue using the GoWild! pass this winter, I will likely pay to reserve an aisle seat on flights over two hours.

The A321neo safety information card.Taylor Rains/Insider

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