Airline guide
Frontier Airlines: the unbundled price, itemised
Frontier sells the seat and nothing else. That can genuinely be the cheapest way to fly, and it can just as easily end up costing more than a full-service carrier. The difference is entirely down to whether you understand the pricing before you book.
On this page
How a low fare becomes a large total
The advertised fare on an ultra-low-cost carrier covers your passage and a personal item. Everything else is priced separately:
- A full-size carry-on costs money. On most airlines the overhead bin is free; here it is a paid extra, and it is frequently priced higher than a checked bag.
- Checked bags cost money, with the price rising sharply the later you buy. Cheapest at booking, more at online check-in, most at the airport, and most of all at the gate.
- Seat selection costs money. Without it you are allocated a seat, and a group travelling together will usually be separated.
- Changes and cancellations carry their own charges under the basic fare.
The arithmetic that matters: take the fare, add a carry-on or checked bag both ways, add seats for everyone travelling together, and compare that number against a bundled fare on a full-service carrier. Sometimes Frontier still wins comfortably. Sometimes it does not win at all.
Buy the bag now, not at the gate
This is the single most valuable piece of advice on this page. Baggage charges on ultra-low-cost carriers escalate through the journey, and the gate price can be several times the booking price. Decide what you are carrying before you pay for the ticket and buy the allowance then.
Personal item dimensions are also enforced properly here. There is a sizer at the gate, it is used, and a bag that would pass unremarked on a legacy carrier will not pass here. Measure your bag rather than trusting what the manufacturer calls it.
What the cabin is actually like
Frontier fits more seats into the aircraft than a full-service carrier, so seat pitch is tight and the seats generally do not recline. There is no complimentary food or drink, and no seat-back entertainment. On a short hop this is a non-issue. On a transcontinental flight it is a real consideration, particularly for taller passengers.
Schedule frequency and the recovery problem
Low-cost carriers typically run fewer daily departures on a given route and keep less slack in the schedule. If your flight is cancelled there may not be another one the same day, and options for moving you to a different airline are limited. For a trip with a hard deadline — a wedding, a cruise departure, a connection onto an international ticket — that risk deserves weighing against the saving.
When it is worth calling us instead of booking online
For a simple Frontier Airlines booking — one traveller, fixed dates, no complications — book it directly at www.flyfrontier.com and save yourself a service fee. We are useful when the booking is not simple:
- Ten or more passengers, where the airline moves you to a group desk. See group flight booking.
- A child travelling alone, which most carriers will not let you complete online. See unaccompanied minors.
- A wheelchair, mobility aid, service animal or medical oxygen, which needs a service request filed against the reservation. See special assistance.
- A name that does not match the travel document on an issued ticket. See name corrections.
- Multi-city or open-jaw routing that a booking engine prices badly or refuses.
- Rebooking after a cancellation, at the hour it happens. See last minute flights.
Quick reference
| Model | Ultra-low-cost: the fare covers the seat and a personal item |
|---|---|
| Carry-on | Full-size carry-on is a paid extra |
| Bags | Cheapest at booking, most expensive at the gate |
| Cabin | Tight pitch, generally non-reclining seats, no complimentary service |
| Recovery | Fewer daily frequencies, limited rebooking options if cancelled |
Common questions about Frontier Airlines
Is Frontier actually cheaper?
With a personal item only and flexible plans, frequently yes. Once you add a carry-on or checked bag both ways and seat selection, it often is not. Compare totals.
Do I have to pay for a carry-on on Frontier?
Yes, a full-size carry-on for the overhead bin is a paid extra. Only the personal item that fits under the seat is included.
How strictly is the personal item size enforced?
Strictly. There is a sizer at the gate and it is used. Measure your bag rather than relying on how it is marketed.
Why is the bag so much more expensive at the airport?
The pricing is designed that way, to push the purchase to the point of booking. Buying the allowance when you buy the ticket is always the cheapest route.
What happens if my Frontier flight is cancelled?
You may be waiting for the next Frontier service on that route, which could be the following day. Options to move you to another carrier are limited, so factor that in on time-critical trips.
Booking Frontier Airlines and it is not straightforward?
Group travel, a child flying alone, an assistance request or a name that needs correcting. Those are the calls worth making.