Ahh, Frontier…
(Wait – did you read the “ahh” in that sentence as a sigh or as a scream? I suppose it doesn’t matter because both would be accurate).
People not-so-lovingly refer to Frontier as the “Greyhound of the sky” (which honestly feels like such an insult to Greyhound?), and I get it. The flying experience could be so much better, and I know I’m not the only one who has walked off a Frontier flight vowing to never do it again.
But still, I keep coming back.
As much as I’d prefer to fly a legacy carrier like United, Delta, or American, the truth is, none of those carriers are consistently offering sub-$100 roundtrip flights out of my local airport. So, begrudgingly, I’m often either trekking out to an airport further away from home or hopping on an Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier (ULCC) like Spirit or Frontier.
This post is not sponsored or affiliated with Frontier and I purchased my airline tickets myself. This post contains commissionable links that enable me to run this site without advertisem*nts (yay!).
Most recently I jumped on a Frontier flight to Philadelphia for only $75, and as a travel blogger who specializes in weekend travel guides, I figured it’s high time I cover the budget airline here on the blog.
So, after flying them way more times than I care to admit, I’m here today to share fourteen things I wish I had known before I flew Frontier Airlines for the first time:
1. Where Frontier flies
Frontier currently serves around 100 domestic and international destinations, both large and small. With flights crisscrossing the U.S., Caribbean, and Mexico, the airline covers more ground (and airspace!) than some of the country’s other ULCCs. Head here for information on current routes and destinations.
—
2. Pay attention during the booking process
Frontier’s website is full of deceptive design patterns intended to make the user spend more on their products and services. Take, for example, the above screenshot from the seat selection page: This pops up when a user attempts to book a flight without purchasing a seat (here’s a screenshot from the page right before it pops up), and entices users to go back and pay for a seat. Purchasing a seat on Frontier is not required – this popup is intentionally designed to confuse customers into spending more money. You’ll find similar patterns on their baggage page, bundles page, and more. Be sure to read everything carefully!
—
3. Get used to packing only a backpack
Bringing luggage is a luxury these days, and flying Frontier is objectively not a luxury experience. To get the best bang for your buck, consider flying with just a backpack to avoid paying high baggage fees.
—
4. But make sure it’s the right size
If you’ve been anywhere near TikTok recently, you may have seen one of several viral videos showing gate agents aggressively measuring Frontier passengers’ personal items and then forcing them to spend $99 to bring those items on the plane (even ones that clearly fit!). I’ve been lucky enough to board each Frontier flight unscathed, but confidently knowing that my backpack meets the airline’s requirements helps with the stress of boarding. Just FYI, Frontier’s personal item dimensions are 8”D x 18”W x 14”H, ridiculously close to the dimensions of my backpack (if that narrow difference makes you nervous, you can always size down to the smaller version).
Looking for personal item packing inspiration? Find all of my real-life packing lists here.5. Still insist on buying a bag? Fine – but do it early
The cheapest time to add on a carry-on or checked bag is at the time of purchase. Prices will vary based on the route and dates, but expect to pay around $60 per bag, per way at the time of booking vs. $99 per bag, per way at the airport.
—
6. Price everything out before comparing fares
After you’ve priced out the costs of baggage and other optional services, go back and review the pricing for travel on a legacy carrier. Is the Frontier option still the cheapest after adding $120 for a carry-on bag? It might not be, but if it is…
—
7. DIY and BYO to save as much as possible
Be sure to check in for your flight on the app 1-24 hours before your flight; checking in at the counter will cost you (and it looks like Frontier may now be charging passengers to check in on the website, too). Pack your own snacks and fill up your reusable water bottle before the flight, as all refreshments are for purchase only.
—
8. Be ready to kiss your loved ones goodbye…
…as you walk down the jetbridge. As you probably have gathered, everything about flying Frontier is a la carte, including seat assignments. If you don’t want to pay for a seat, you will be assigned one before check-in – and now more often than not, I’m finding myself seated halfway across the plane from my partner (even on nearly empty flights). This used to not be the case, but it appears Frontier is assigning seats this way to convince travelers to pay up for seats together (requests for clarification from the airline have gone unanswered).
It’s totally your call – but as two adults who’d prefer to spend those savings on a fun activity together rather than on the opportunity to spend it on a less fun activity together, we’re willing to sit apart for an hour or two. Hey, who knows – maybe you’ll make a new friend (maybe it’ll even be me!).
—
9. Look for the cute animal on the plane’s tail
I know, I know, placing a different animal on each plane tail is totally a gimmick to soften the blow of the modern-day low-cost flying experience, but we should just take what we can get. My favorite? Rosie the River Otter.
—
10. Kids. Lots of ’em.
Nothing against the world’s tiniest humans, but over the years I’ve noticed the volume levels on budget airlines like Frontier run louder than on most of the legacy carrier flights I take. With ticket prices so low by comparison, it’s easy to see why these carriers are frequented by large broods (time to switch those AirPods into Noise Cancellation mode!).
—
11. All around discomfort
The seats are tiny, hard, and crammed together, so generally speaking, everyone is uncomfortable. Sometimes this results in a flight full of grumpy passengers, and other times there is a palpable sense of camaraderie among strangers (misery loves company, after all). With my super-unfun back pain, I’ve had to set a max-flying time of four hours on any ULCC (does this certify me as a hot girl?). I highly recommend that passengers of size or passengers with mobility issues do the same.
—
12. Frontier’s on-time performance
According to the latest data, for the period of January – September 2023, 63.23% of Frontier flights arrived on time. For comparison, the national average shows that 76.18% of flights arrived on time during the same period. If one of every three Frontier flights is late, it’s probably best to cushion your travel times whenever you can. And if you’re one of those unlucky passengers, it’s certainly helpful to keep the following point in mind.
—
13. You are nobody
Well, that’s not true – you’re somebody to me (aww). But to Frontier? You’re nobody.
During a delay or cancellation, the airline provides little-to-no assistance to passengers often left scrambling due to missed engagements (ask me how I know). To the U.S. aviation industry, it’s helpful to remember that passengers are basically cattle and the price you pay to book a ticket only guarantees that you’ll be herded from point A to point B – it’s not a guarantee of when. Beyond the nickel-and-diming and uncomfortable in-flight experience, I think it’s Frontier’s handling of cancellations and delays that spurs passengers to proclaim “never again.”
—
14. But be ready to fly them again
A roundtrip flight for less than the cost of a nice dinner out? Despite every instinct telling you otherwise, it’s easy to see why people keep (reluctantly) coming back for more. I suppose it could always be worse (hey, at least it’s not Spirit!).
—
Questions for you
Have you flown on Frontier before? What else do you think people should know before they book?
If you haven’t flown Frontier, what other airlines have you flown on before?
Why not fly on over to one of these related posts next?
- How to Find Cheap Flights
- 15 Things Travelers Should Know Before Flying Spirit Airlines for the First Time
- 13 Things You Should Know Before You Book a Flight With Avelo Airlines
- 10 Things You Need to Know Before You Fly on Contour Airlines
- 20 Questions You Should Ask a Potential Travel Partner Before You Leave Home
- How to Split Travel Costs When One Person Makes More Money
- 5 Easy Ways to Save Money This Week (for your next trip!)
- What Happens When You Cancel a Non-refundable Trip?
- Dinner Party Survival Kit: 20 Travel-Themed Conversation Starters
- 5 Easy Things You Can Do Today to Save for Your Next Trip
- I won a trip! (Now what?)
- Travel Guides by Destination
- Exclusive Discounts + Promo Codes
- All of My Personal Item Packing Lists
