Information on Frontier Flights

Frontier Airlines is an ultra-low-cost carrier headquartered in Denver, Colorado. It is known for its low fares and distinctive wildlife tailfins. The airline operates flights to over 120 destinations throughout the continental US, Mexico and the Caribbean.

While Frontier often offers attractive flight deals, everything costs extra. The airline also tends to overbook flights frequently. Many airlines do this to ensure fuller aircraft and adjust for no-shows. Early check-in can help secure your place onboard.

Overall, I find Frontier provides good value for an affordable getaway. Still, I recommend checking that a full-service carrier doesn’t offer competitive fares to your destination (after adding Frontier’s extra charges). You may be surprised.

What to expect inside Frontier Airlines planes?

Frontier Airlines operates a relatively young all-Airbus 150 Airbus A320-family planes, including the newer Airbus A321neo. The airline’s cabins are tight, though Frontier offers extra comfort seats for a fee.

Frontier’s slimline seats are 17.7” wide, better than some competitors, and comfortable enough for flights around 3 hours. Seats are in a 3-3 configuration. However, most seats are 28” apart, which can be uncomfortable for taller passengers.

Frontier has introduced three alternative seat options toward the front and middle of the plane in addition to its standard cabin seating. The most comfortable option is Frontier’s UpFront Plus, which is the front two rows of the aircraft and includes a guaranteed empty middle seat. The second row has a 32” separation. You can also book Premium Seats with a 35” seat separation in the exit rows.

The airline also offers a Preferred Seat booking, which allows you to sit closer to the front of the plane if you are eager to deplane sooner. However, these seats have no other comfort advantage.

Frontier offers no in-seat power, in-flight entertainment, or Wi-Fi onboard. I recommend bringing a book along or pre-loading entertainment on your electronic device. Remember to pack a power bank for longer flights.

Beverages and snacks on Frontier Airlines

The airline sells beverages and snacks onboard, though they can be pricey. I find buying something at the airport to bring on board is better. You can get a complimentary glass of water during your flight, but you must ask for it.

Frontier luggage policy

Frontier allows one personal item on the plane free of charge. The bag cannot be larger than 14” x 18” x 8”. For a fee, you can also bring a carry-on bag that is no larger than 24" x 16" x 10" and weighs less than 35 lbs. You’ll pay a lower fee if you add the carry-on bag to your reservation at the time of booking.

The airline also charges for any check-in luggage. The standard checked bag fee applies to bags no larger than 62” and no heavier than 40 lbs. There is an extra fee for overweight bags, oversized luggage, or special items.

Connecting on a Frontier Airlines flight

If you are flying with Frontier, I recommend carefully planning any connecting flights. The airline may only offer luggage check-in to the connecting destination on some itineraries.

When connecting from one Frontier flight to another Frontier flight booked directly on the Frontier Airlines website, you should be able to check luggage through to your end destination. If you have booked your ticket through an online travel agency, I recommend verifying that the airline recognizes both legs of the journey as part of the same itinerary.

You can ask for your luggage to be checked through at the airport, but this may not be possible if the two legs are on separate bookings.

If your connecting flight is with a different airline, Frontier has established agreements with some airlines that allow bags to be checked at the destination. You should confirm check-through availability with Frontier. Sometimes, you may need to collect your bags from Frontier and check in again with the other airline at the connecting airport.

Frontier’s flights sometimes suffer carry-over delays throughout the day. Early morning flights have a better chance of taking off and arriving on time. I suggest you leave a 2-hour gap between domestic flights and longer for international connections.

Boarding a Frontier Airlines flight

Frontier Airlines boards by zones. You’ll find your boarding zone on your boarding pass.

Passengers requiring wheelchair assistance will board first, followed by Board First ticket holders. Board First is offered as an option to passengers who purchased a carry-on bag and to Frontier Miles Elite Diamond or Elite 100K members.

The airline also provides Zone 1 boarding as a package add-on, if you pay for a carry-on bag or book a special fare bundle. Zone 1 is also available to Elite Gold, Elite Platinum, Elite 20K or Elite 50K loyalty members.

Families with small children and other passengers needing special accommodations board next. For a fee, you can book Zone 2 boarding and get on the plane sooner. Standard tickets on Zones 3 and 4 board last, working forward from the back of the aircraft.

Frontier fare bundles and subscriptions

Frontier sells different types of fare bundles and flight subscriptions that offer some advantages.

The airline’s Economy Bundle includes a carry-on bag, seat selection, and no cancellation or change fees.

With the Premium Bundle, you get the benefits of the Economy bundle and can also select a premium seat and get Board First boarding.

Frontier’s Business Bundle also includes free cancellation or change fees and offers 2 checked bags (up to 50 lbs each), Board-First boarding, and up-front seating.

The airline offers GoWild! Flight subscriptions in different tiers allow passengers to book unlimited flights during each period. Like other airline subscription offers, their value is relative to how often you fly with them. I recommend reviewing the limitations carefully before purchasing a pass.

While you benefit from unlimited flights, some flights might be unavailable for booking as GoWild, and the subscription excludes extra services such as baggage allowance and seat selection. That said, you can earn frequent flyer miles through a subscription, which could elevate your membership tier. In that case, you may have some extras as part of your elite status.

Frontier’s Discount Den subscription promises the lowest fare on every booking and includes a Kids Fly Free offer. Again, read the limitations to ensure you get a deal.

Traveling with children on a Frontier flight

Frontier will guarantee that at least one accompanying adult is seated next to children who are 13 or younger without charging a fee. To qualify, the child and adult must have the same reservation. The Frontier Discount Den Kids Fly Free promotion applies to children who are 15 or younger. Only one child can fly free per adult ticket holder.

Small children up to two years of age can fly on an adult’s lap without requiring a ticket. Adults traveling with small children cannot be seated in the plane's first row. Only one lap child is allowed on the same side of the row. Single adults traveling with two small children will need to book a seat for a car seat carrier and have one child in the carrier.

I recommend booking a separate seat for infants in car seats or restraints whenever possible. While flying with a child on your lap is permitted, these devices better protect small children and infants in case of sudden turbulence or another aircraft emergency.

The Frontier Airlines App

Frontier has a mobile app for Android and iOS devices that can be a helpful tool for booking and managing your flight. Note that GoWild tickets can only be booked through the airline’s website, so qualifying flights will not appear in search on the app.

The Frontier Miles program

Frontier’s loyalty program offers advantages to frequent flyers and is worth signing up for if you fly with the airline often. The airline awards ten miles and ten points for every dollar spent on its website. You can exchange Miles for free flights or extra services. Points count towards elite status, earning you additional services for free.

As you reach the elite tiers, the airline’s awards multiply. After reaching 10,000 points, you qualify for Elite Silver status, earning 12 miles and 12 points for every dollar spent. You need 100,000 points to reach Elite Diamond status, which earns 20 miles and 20 points per dollar.

Joining Frontier Miles is free and may be worth it if you fly often. However, be mindful that elite status points reset to zero at the beginning of each calendar year, so the perks are limited unless you reach elite status in January. Miles do not expire as long as your account remains active, so it can be worth collecting miles even if you fly occasionally.

The airline also offers a loyalty Mastercard with a significant miles reward when you sign up and other benefits, including instant Gold Elite status. Still, I recommend reviewing whether any airline-branded credit card’s terms benefit you financially before signing up. You can also earn Frontier miles on purchases with specific partners. The information is available on the airline’s website.