Are budget Airlines on their last legs? Frontier CEO warns of flight cuts, predicts they’ll be the ‘last man standing'

Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle has issued a blunt warning to US travelers: Airlines are preparing to cut flights. Speaking during the carrier’s second-quarter 2025 earnings call, Biffle said, “There’s going to continue to be reductions in capacity in this industry”.

The warning comes as Frontier reported $929 million in revenue but a net loss of $70 million for the quarter. Biffle said the airline is still on track to be profitable in 2026.

Biffle explained that too many planes are flying unprofitable domestic routes. The imbalance between supply and demand is forcing airlines to reconsider their schedules. “When you take out code shares and international traffic, the domestic market is not making money,” quoted by TheStreet.


United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has echoed the same concerns. He said that many US carriers have a “double-digit percentage” of routes losing money and will need to cut them.

Are budget Airlines dying?

While the airline industry has weathered similar challenges before, rising operational costs and changing travel demand are putting pressure on budget models. Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle has predicted that low-cost carriers may soon be forced to cut routes to stay afloat.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby also expressed similar concerns, warning of a tougher environment for ultra-cheap air travel. Many airlines outside of United and Delta operate a significant portion of their routes at a loss.

To achieve better profit margins, these airlines will eventually need to discontinue unprofitable routes.

Impact on travelers

The changes mean passengers could face fewer options, especially during off-peak times and days. Some carriers, including Spirit Airlines, have already reduced flights in these less-popular slots.

Frontier’s long-term confidence

Despite the cuts, Biffle remains optimistic about Frontier’s future. In comments reported by AirlineGeeks, he said the company has “one of the cleanest balance sheets in the industry” and expects to be the “last man standing” among ultra-low-cost carriers.

Biffle believes financially unsustainable flights will start disappearing within months, with capacity reductions likely complete by next spring.