Good news: the “new” Frontier Airlines – a combination of the old Frontier and Midwest Airlines, which were purchased by Republic Airways last year – will keep up Midwest’s tradition of serving those tasty chocolate chip cookies.
And they will still be free. And they will still be warm.
Well, when possible. Republic spokesperson Carlo Bertolini told us the cookies will be made fresh when conditions permit, ”because of the wonderful aroma in the cabin” – but not all Frontier aircraft may have the galley space to make that do-able.
But the planes that can, will continue to serve passengers those warm, chocolate chip cookies. For free.
And in this day and age of carryon bag fees, that’s something.
This is what folks in Denver have been waiting to hear, ever since Republic Airways bought both Frontier and Midwest Airlines: what were they going to call the new, combined airline?
Well now we have the answer:
Frontier Airlines. I’m so glad they didn’t go with “Midtier”.
Sorry about that, Milwaukee – and I don’t know what’ll happen to Midwest’s famous cookies – but I do know this:
Somewhere, Larry the Lynx…is smiling.
Will the “spokesanimals” survive? And how ’bout them cookies?
Next week, Republic Airways – which now owns both Frontier (home of the tail animals) and Midwest (warm chocolate chip cookies) – will decide to rebrand both carriers with one of the old names, or come up with something completely new.
Well, I’m here to help.
Okay, not really – I was just noodling around, trying to come up with some “combination” names, and failed miserably.
For example:
- Montier – sounds like a gated community
- Frowest – sounds like an award for “most slovenly”
- FridWest – sounds like a Swedish airline
- Fromid – sounds like a popsicle treat
- MidFro – sounds like a 70’s hairdo
- MidTier – sounds like nothing I’d ever want to fly
Clearly, I’m going about this all wrong. Feel free to leave your own suggestions in the comment section below.
In my latest weekly column for ABCNews.com, I tackle the weighty issue of what might happen to Frontier Airlines animals if owner Republic decides to revamp branding.
I’m talking about those wildlife photos that grace the tails of Frontier’s aircraft: you know, Larry the Lynx, Rudy the Raccoon, Grizwald the Bear and more (yes, those are their names – it says so right on Frontier’s website).
If you read the column, here are a few things you’ll learn:
- Qantas’ kangaroo once had wings
- Three “animals” made the list of Top Advertising Icons of the Century: Tony the Tiger, the Energizer Bunny, and Elsie the Cow
- A film parody shows “Hitler” ranting in support of Frontier’s wildlife: “Griz is going to tear someone a new one!”
Here’s how I end the column:
“For Flip and his associates, I hope it all works out. Otherwise, they’ll be headed to the Old Icons Retirement Home, where they can sit on the porch with Speedy Alka-Seltzer, the Frito Bandito, Mr. Whipple, and the Taco Bell Chihuahua – and reminisce about the days gone by.” –Rick Seaney, ABCNews.com, 3-31-10
Pictured, left, is Frontier Airlines’ spokesmodel Larry the Lynx. Handsome devil, isn’t he?
Anyway, Larry, Grizwald the Bear, Jack the Rabbit and the other wildlife creatures that adorn Frontier’s aircraft could be in danger – and employees and fans rallied today in downtown Denver to try and save them.
You see, ever since Republic Airways bought Frontier – and its now sister-carrier, Midwest – there’s been talk about re-branding both airlines into one new entity, with an all new name, logo, and all the rest. And that means, bye-bye Larry and his colleagues.
So the rallying cried of the day, says the Denver Post, has been “Save Our Animals, Save Our Tails”. Will they soon be saying, “Save the Cookies” in Milwaukee?
If you’re interested in “meeting” Frontier’s animals, bio’s are posted on their website like this one, for Grizwald the bear.
Grizwald the Bear
- Weight: More than it should be
- Quote: “You gonna eat that?”
- Favorite Pastimes: Shaking his groove thing, hibernating, belly rubs
- Pet Peeves: Beehives, bear-skin rugs, delays on the runway
(Quit groaning, I didn’t write it)
That quote, “the brand is dead” comes from a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article on Republic Airway plans to announce a “unified brand plan” for its two recent acquisitions, Frontier and Midwest Airlines.
And the resulting brand may be neither one of those airlines’ names.
The “dead” quote was uttered by a Milwaukee advertising exec, who says the extra-wide seats and the other amenities that made Midwest special are gone now, meaning the carrier is “no different than anyone else” in the air these days.
Well, they still have those warm cookies…but I guess that’s just not enough anymore.
Frontier Airlines is raising its bag fees in economy class, to $20 for the first checked-bag and $30 for the second checked-bag.
Please note: Frontier has three classes of service – economy (cheapest), classic (mid-range) and classic plus (most expensive) — and there is NO charge for a first or second checked-back for either classic class.
Bottom line: On some Frontier flights, if you plan to check even one bag – it might be more economical for you to fly “classic” – you with me? The bag fee might make your economy ticket more expensive than the classic ticket.
Frontier is also lowering some fees, too including the “change fee” for economy tickets – it drops from $150 to $100.
See all the details on Frontier’s site – or check the FareCompare Domestic Fee Chart (we’ve already updated it).
Last week, Southwest Airlines appeared supremely confident that they would be successful in their bid to purchase Frontier Airlines. This confidence seemed supported when Southwest placed an initial bid of $170M, which was significantly higher than Republic’s bid of $108.8M. However, things still had to go to auction, and Southwest’s confidence wasn’t enough to make the deal happen:
“Southwest saw its $170 million bid for Frontier rejected Thursday evening after the pilots union of the two airlines could not agree to terms in a merger.” (from KansasCity.com)
Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly stood by Southwest’s decision not to remove the labor requirement from their bid: “We said all along that we would only move forward on this deal if it proved to be the right decision for our employees and financially prudent for our company.”
Republic’s purchase of Frontier comes on the heels of their purchase of Midwest Airlines.
