Flight Critique: Frontier Airlines Flight 2171 (LAS-PDX)

1.) Aircraft: Airbus A320neo. Second time flying the A320neo, second time flying a Frontier Airlines flight, second time experiencing an ultra low-cost carrier. Originally, this flight was slated to utilize an older A320ceo, but has since seen an equipment substitution. Again, with this being a flight on a ULCC, expectations had to be managed regarding the type of service from this airline and catered to my needs and travel style by paying for the extras on top of the base fare; in my case, I paid for seat selection as well as for a checked bag.

2.) Flight Time: Approximately 1 hour, 50 minutes

3.) Flight delayed by nearly two hours due to late-arriving aircraft. Thanks to my seat selection, I didn't get bored and enjoyed the views. Flight was relatively smooth and enjoyable. And thanks to cooperative fellow passengers, who quickly got seated and settled (something the captain of the flight remarked on with appreciation), we were able to get underway and make up some time in the air.

4.) Courtesy of my dad, we got something to drink from the buy-onboard menu. We're firm believers in the fact that flying commercial (whether it be full-service or low-cost carriers) is much more enjoyable with at least a drink to enjoy while en route!

5.) Flight was full but given the short duration, it was tolerable. And the crew were pleasant people. Overall, the flight did it's job of getting us back to Portland following a weekend trip for fun. Wasn't too thrilled by the delay as it put us into Portland well-after dark, but the communication from the airline was appreciated.

Photos from the flight:

Frontier Airlines Airbus A320-251N (N303FR) "Poppy the Prairie Dog," the A320neo that would take my dad and I back home to Oregon. Photographed yesterday while plane-spotting at Las Vegas as it departed for Salt Lake City! And as it turns out, between seeing it depart yesterday and our flight today, it appears to have sat idle at Salt Lake City.

The same plane taxiing up to the gate upon arriving from Salt Lake City prior to us boarding. Unlike the A320neo we flew into Las Vegas on, this airframe was built in Toulouse, France.

Leaving the Las Vegas desert behind after getting airborne.

Downside to sitting on the left side of the plane was the setting sun.

Sun finally set.

Passing by Crater Lake near Klamath Falls as we began our approach into Portland.

Honestly, it was surprising to see Crater Lake at all considering the overcast layer around it!

Definitely a cloudy evening around Crater Lake!

You know you're back in Oregon once you've seen Crater Lake!

Too bad we departed nearly two hours behind schedule, otherwise we could've seen Crater Lake a little more clearly!