You'll Love These New Missoula Air Travel Options

If you're pining for some sun and warmer weather, the Missoula Montana Airport just started the perfect option to check out.

Thursday marked the first official direct flight from the Garden City to Phoenix. And it was also the return of the popular low-cost carrier Frontier Air after an absence of a couple of years.

And airport administrators say not only is it a great option for flights south to Phoenix, and Denver, but it could lead to more competition and better fares for Missoula travelers.

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Dennis Bragg photo

A big send-off

With plenty of balloons, and "406" Missoula to Phoenix cookies, Frontier's initial passengers were treated like royalty Thursday morning, as the carrier flew it's inaugural flight to the "Valley of the Sun."

"We are an ultra-low-cost carrier and everybody loves the really affordable flights," explained Jennifer de la Cruz, the Senior Director of Corporate Communications for Frontier Airlines. "So with that in mind, we're really happy to be back here in Missoula."

Airport Director Brian Ellestad joins Frontier Air staff to cut the ribbon marking the start of service Thursday- Dennis Bragg photo

Airport Director Brian Ellestad was excited to see Frontier's return, along with more travel options.

"It just brings that ultra-low-cost carrier. So just much more competitive airfare for the communities, which other airlines will, you know, price match or at least lower their airfare," Ellestad told me after the ribbon cutting.

Non-stop service every week

Frontier will fly four times weekly, nonstop, to Denver, and twice a week to Phoenix.

"We have a lot of people that have requested Phoenix," Ellestad observed. "So especially Sky Harbor. So this will be a great new market for us."

Sun Country Airlines will start offering service to the Twin Cities in June, in what will be a busy summer for the airport. Construction is continuing on Phase 2 of the new terminal, which will be complete a year from now.