Frontier Airlines is about to fly to South America for the first time. Starting in December 2026, the low-cost carrier will connect Orlando International (MCO) with three cities in Colombia: Medellín, Bogotá and Cartagena. The flights were announced September 10 and launch in less than two months. If you’re a Frontier Miles member or thinking about a cheap winter trip to Colombia, here’s what’s confirmed.
What happened
Frontier’s press release lists three new nonstop routes from Orlando. At the time of the announcement, all three were subject to government approval.
| Route | Start date | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Orlando–Medellín (MDE) | December 10, 2026 | Daily |
| Orlando–Bogotá (BOG) | December 14, 2026 | 6x weekly, rising to daily from March 6, 2027 |
| Orlando–Cartagena (CTG) | December 19, 2026 | Once weekly |
Schedule data published by AeroRoutes shows the flights on Airbus A320neo aircraft. Orlando departures are in the morning, with return flights from Colombia leaving in the early to mid-afternoon. The weekly Cartagena flight runs on Saturdays. Frontier says frequencies and times may change.
Frontier launched the routes with introductory one-way fares from $99 (Bogotá), $129 (Cartagena) and $169 (Medellín). That sale ended September 16, 2026, and covered travel only between January 14 and April 5, 2027. Today’s fares will differ.
Who it affects
- Florida-based travelers get a new low-cost option to Colombia. Aero Crew News notes that Frontier faces Avianca and LATAM on Bogotá and Avianca on Medellín.
- Midwest travelers would need to reach Orlando first. Check whether Frontier sells a single connecting itinerary from your airport before booking two separate tickets.
- Frontier Miles members have a new international place to earn and redeem miles.
What it means for Frontier Miles and status
These flights launch under Frontier Miles’ revised earning rules. Per Frontier’s August 27, 2026 announcement, for tickets bought on or after September 1, 2026, base members earn 6 miles per dollar on Economy, Premium or Business bundle bookings but only 1 mile per dollar on Basic fares. Frontier cardmembers and elites earn more; the Diamond rate is 16x on bundles, or 22x for Diamond cardmembers. Frontier also cut the Elite Diamond requirement from 100,000 to 75,000 Elite Status Points, effective immediately.
The practical takeaway: on a Colombia trip, the fare type you pick matters a lot for earning. A cheap Basic fare earns very little for a base member. Starting January 1, 2027, upper elites get more upgrade and bag benefits under Frontier’s new benefits structure, which can matter on a longer international flight. If you already hold miles, compare the award price with the cash fare for your exact dates on flyfrontier.com before you redeem.
Practical tips
- Price the bundle, not just the fare. Bags and seats cost extra on Basic. A bundle may cost less in total and earns far more miles.
- Mind the Cartagena schedule. A once-weekly flight means a cancellation could cost you days, not hours.
- Leave a buffer on separate tickets. If you fly to Orlando on another itinerary, give yourself plenty of time. Ideally, arrive the day before.
- Check Colombia’s entry rules on the U.S. State Department’s country page, and make sure your passport is valid.
- Compare the alternatives. If you hold transferable points, Avianca’s LifeMiles program covers Avianca flights to Colombia. Always check availability before you transfer.
If you’re weighing whether to buy Frontier miles, see our look at Frontier’s current miles sale.
Our take
Frontier’s move into Colombia is good news for price competition on Florida–Colombia routes, especially Bogotá with its $99 launch fare. For points collectors, the value is narrower. Frontier Miles isn’t among Chase Ultimate Rewards’ airline transfer partners, and Basic fares earn little. Medellín’s daily flights and the soon-to-be-daily Bogotá service look the most practical. With only one flight a week, we’d book Cartagena only if your dates are flexible.
Sources
- Frontier: First-ever service to Colombia (Sept. 10, 2026)
- Frontier: Frontier Miles enhancements (Aug. 27, 2026)
- Aero Crew News: Frontier launches South America service from Orlando in December
- TravelPulse: Frontier launches first-ever flights to South America
- AeroRoutes: Frontier adds Orlando–Colombia service from December 2026
Programs, prices and terms change often; confirm details with the airline or rental company before you book. Points Capital is not a financial advisor.
