Skip the turnpike: Frontier offers flights from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia

Western Pennsylvanians are finally getting some cost relief to travel across the Keystone State.

Frontier Airlines announced Thursday it was adding service to four U.S. cities from Pittsburgh International Airport starting in May 2024, including new twice daily service to Philadelphia.

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said residents have been clamoring for years for more and cheaper flights to Philadelphia, due to increasing tolls on the turnpike and limited airline service.

“This is going to get a lot of people out of their cars,” said Fitzgerald. “It’s an early Christmas present for the folks in Southwestern Pennsylvania.”

Currently, only American Airlines provides service between Pittsburgh and the City of Brotherly Love. One-way tickets currently cost about $290, according to American Airlines’ website, and the major carrier runs either three to four flights a day.

Toll charges on the Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia cost about $35 if using EZ Pass or more than $70 without EZ Pass.

Frontier, an ultra-low fare carrier, will offer introductory rates as low as $19 on one-way flights to Philadelphia International Aiport.

Josh Flyr, vice president of network and operations design at Frontier, said that the airline is more than tripling its service out of Pittsburgh with the service additions, which also include new flights to Atlanta, Dallas, and Raleigh Durham. He said offering low fares is imperative to their success, as customers were asking for cheaper flights from Pittsburgh, especially across the state.

“The sky is for everyone,” said Flyr.

He said there were a lot of flights between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia because of cost.

Introductory rates will last until Dec. 19, and blackout dates apply. After introductory rates expire, Flyr said rates will vary depending on the market, but he said he expects Frontier flights to Philadelphia to stay stable and close to the introductory rates.

Flights between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia will run twice a day. Atlanta and Raleigh-Durham flights will run four times a week and flights to Dallas-Fort Worth will run three times a week. They start May 16.

Allegheny County Councilman at-large Sam DeMarco, R-North Fayette, said the new Frontier flights are expected to generate $72 million in local economic impact, and he encouraged Philadelphia residents to visit Pittsburgh, even if the cities have a cross-state rivalry.

“Philly fans, you are welcome to come spend your money here next July, when the Phillies play the Pittsburgh Pirates,” said DeMarco.

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation secretary Mike Carroll said the connection between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia is really important to the state’s economy.

Frontier flights will qualify for up to approximately $600,000 in one-time subsidies and grants from the state and the Allegheny County Airport Authority, according to Bryan Dietz, Vice President of Air Service Development for the Allegheny County Airport Authority.

“We want to show Frontier that they are an important partner to the state and county,” said Dietz.