Frontier Airlines is one of America's leading ultra-low-cost airlines, offering incredibly cheap flights while charging for extras like seat assignments and carry-on bags.
The airline made headlines in 2020 when its social distancing strategy was to charge extra for seats in rows that had middle seats blocked, a strategy it quickly abandoned.
Read More: Frontier Airlines will make passengers pay extra to social distance on its flights
Having seen how Spirit Airlines handled social distancing last year, I wanted to see how one of its top competitors was faring in the second year of the pandemic — so I chose the airline for a near-three-hour flight from Las Vegas to Seattle in March.
I was initially impressed with Frontier's emphasis on health and safety when I checked in. Like most US airlines, I had to digitally affirm I hadn't tested positive or been exposed to COVID-19, and that I would comply with face-covering rules, sanitize before the flight, and submit to a temperature screening.
Even the boarding pass outlined Frontier's safety protocols and had a reminder to wear a mask onboard the aircraft. I chose not to buy a seat and was auto-assigned 28F, a window towards the middle of the plane.
Checking in for the flight was also routine. Las Vegas airport had installed the same set of social distancing infrastructure for every airline in Terminal 3.
Frontier had separate lines for those needing to check-in with an agent and those just dropping off their bags. Check-in was empty enough that staying six feet apart wasn't an issue.
These casino-themed social distancing placards could be found across the airport, but Frontier had none of its own. The airport clearly took the lead in social distancing here.
The airport also installed plexiglass partitions at each check-in counter.
The self-serve kiosks, standard for each airline in the terminal, were moderately spaced but didn't feature any partitions between them as I've seen other airlines do.
They were incredibly easy to use. All I had to do was enter my confirmation number and it printed out my boarding pass without making me jump through hoops or trying to sell me extras. The only downside was that I couldn't see the seat map to see how full the flight would be.
The gate area similarly had plexiglass partitions, but there were few reminders to social distance or anything on Frontier's new health and safety practices.
Only a small sign at the podium reminded flyers to wear their masks.
I was hoping that a Thursday afternoon flight from Las Vegas to Seattle would be less crowded, and it turned out I was only half right. The flight appeared to be about three-quarters full.
Before boarding, I tried to inquire whether there'd be any open rows to which I could move on the flight. But the first gate agent told me the flight was full, and left it at that.
Just before boarding, the agent came on to explain the new mask rules and that they're mandatory for the entire journey, except when eating or drinking. Masks with vents were also not allowed and flyers without a mask could get one from the counter free of charge.
Boarding then began starting from the back of the plane. Rows 41 to 29 on our Airbus A321 aircraft boarded first, and so on. Frontier is one of the last airlines to keep back-to-front boarding.
And before anybody could step foot on the plane, their temperature was checked. Flyers with a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or greater would be denied boarding. Frontier is the only major US airline doing this.
The jetway similarly featured social distancing reminders installed by the airport and not Frontier.
We were warmly greeted by flight attendants but didn't receive anything in the way of hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes, as some other airlines are doing. Rival ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines, for example, has hand sanitizing stations either at the gate or just before the aircraft door.
The cabin appeared immaculate with no cause for concern in the cleanliness department whatsoever. Frontier says it cleans aircraft before each flight — and it showed.
I was assigned row 28, which another gate agent told me was filled up and I'd have someone next to me. He couldn't change my seat but told me to go to row 25 as it should be completely empty.
I've flown Frontier in the past and know flight attendants are sometimes strict with pre-departure seat changes. What that in mind, I headed to row 25 and just sat down as if it was my assigned seat.
My seat area and tray tables were spotless when I sat down and I had no complaints there.
My section of the plane was largely empty while the back was adequately crowded. Frontier clearly hadn't changed its seat assignment scheme to account for the pandemic and entire rows went open while parts of the plane were packed.
Just after the boarding door closed, a stampede of passengers flocked forward and nearly every row in my section filled up.
Frontier isn't known for its amenities or spacious seats but I've flown the airline enough in the past to know what to expect. Having the row to myself was a luxury in itself.
I could tell from the start that mask-wearing was going to be an issue, and there were multiple passengers flouting the rule despite multiple announcements from flight attendants reminding passengers of CDC guidelines and federal law.
Soon enough, we were on our way to Seattle. Just over two hours of flight time.
We departed to the west and those on the right side of the plane got a great view of the Las Vegas Strip.
Without the snack and drink service, the flight was really uneventful. Frontier doesn't offer anything in the way of in-flight entertainment or WiFi so there was not much to do besides sleep, enjoy some pre-loaded content on my iPhone, or enjoy the views of the American West.
Water bottles were, however, available for purchase at a cost of $2.99.
Still, there was a constant struggle for mask compliance as flight attendants were constantly telling individual passengers to mask up.
I was even woken up when my mask inadvertently slipped below my nose during my sleep. Plenty of others who were were told to put their masks back on properly didn't keep them that way for long.
Frontier hasn't hesitated to ban passengers for not wearing masks, with more than 500 banned as of mid-January, but I didn't witness any passengers get the ax on my flight.
Soon enough, it was time to start down into Seattle.
Flight attendants gently reminded passengers to keep their distance when deplaning...
But, as is normally the case, it devolved into a free for all.
