The STRETCH upgrade charge provides a comfy seat with an additional 5 inches of legroom and the potential for an open seat next to you on flights not completely sold out. You also gain access to the second boarding group, Courtesy pre-boarding for rows 1-4.

The rule is 1 FA per 50 seats. 100 seats = 2 FA's. Doesn't matter how many are sold.

+1

From my understanding part of it is a contract issue with the FAs and pilots for aircraft > 99 seats.

The immovable armrest is annoying, but I'll trade it off for legroom.

My question is this: on an A319 PDX-DEN, buying a "Classic" fare seems to be allowing me to pick an Exit Row seat. Do 10C/D indeed have the same extra legroom as the Stretch seats? If so, I might forgo the $30 buy-up to Classic Plus

My recollection is that it's pretty close though maybe slightly less than Stretch. However, the underseat storage for C/D is less than for the other seats because of the presence of an extra equipment box.

If you're not already familiar, a good reference is Seatguru.com http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Fro...irbus_A319.php

Thank you. I do know SeatGuru; good resource.

Frontier comped me to Ascent status (while offering a challenge to retain) so was able to pick 3C stretch seat.

Anything over 100 seats requires a new pay scale for the Pilots and F/A's. the 100th seat cannot be sold or boarded. every 50 seats requires a F/A so 100 only requires 2.

Exit row seats now have same upgrade fee as STRETCH, effective this week.

Ouch, seriously? So Ascent can no longer pre-reserve them at the time of booking? That was one of my favorite benefits

+1. That change REALLY does stink.

Benefits of elite status for STRETCH and exit row seats:

That seems to be the general consensus. The policy change is really ticking off a lot of loyal (till now) Frontier customers.

Here's what their representative had to say on Facebook:

DenverF9Flier: Thumbs down to the recent changes to Exit Row seating for Ascent members, being able to pre-select these seats was a big reason of why I've stayed loyal to your airline despite no longer traveling for business. I am only 1000 miles away from requalifying for Ascent status next year and was planning a trip to cross the threshold, but the unannounced removal of this benefit has me wondering if it's worth it.

Frontier Airlines: DenverF9Flier, as an Ascent member, if available, you still have the option to upgrade to Stretch for free once you get to the airport. Also, at the time of booking if you do not purchase Classic Plus or Stretch seating you are able to pre-select any seat in the cabin excluding Stretch.

DenverF9Flier: Yes, I understand that Ascent gets Stretch at the airport if available, but that doesn't change the fact that last week I could pre-reserve an Exit seat when i bought any ticket, but effective sometime this week I now need to pay $50 more or buy a higher fare class, or take my chances at check-in. That is a decrease in the benefits that you used to offer, with no notification or warning.

Frontier Airlines: I'm very sorry about the lack of notification. If you would like to speak to EarlyReturns regarding the new Stretch offerings they can be reached here: http://www.frontierairlines.com/fron.../contact-us.do


I plan to do as they suggest and send feedback to customer service on this change. The last flight I booked is almost full and I'm doubtful that an upgrade will be available at the gate. I understand this has the potential to generate more revenue but if they loose loyal customers then that's going to come back to bite them.

For what it's worth, it's been rare that I have not been able to upgrade to Stretch at check-in over the past year, though I generally try to check in right at the 24-hour mark. So if it's the space, Exit row or up front there's usually something.

That said, I agree that it stinks as a downgrade in benefits.