Frontier Airlines Policies: Everything You Need to Know

The Bottom Line on Frontier Airlines

Frontier is an ultra-low-cost carrier, which means your base fare only gets you a seat and a personal item. Everything else -- carry-on bags, checked bags, seat selection, even a cup of water -- costs extra. The key to flying Frontier without sticker shock is simple: buy everything at booking. Fees double or triple if you wait until the airport.

Frontier is headquartered in Denver and operates an all-Airbus fleet with routes across the U.S., Mexico, Caribbean, and Central America. The airline has rebranded under "The New Frontier" initiative, promising more transparent pricing and improved customer experience. But it's still a budget airline at heart -- know the rules and you'll do fine.

Carry-On and Personal Item Policy

Personal Item (Free)

Every Frontier ticket includes one free personal item. Maximum dimensions are 14 x 18 x 8 inches including handles, wheels, and straps. This is smaller than many airlines allow, so measure carefully. A standard-sized backpack often won't fit. Think laptop bag, small purse, or compact backpack.

If your personal item doesn't fit the sizer at the gate, you'll be charged the full gate price for a carry-on or checked bag. That's an expensive surprise. Frontier gate agents check bag sizes regularly, so don't count on sneaking an oversized bag through.

Carry-On Bag (Paid)

Frontier charges for carry-on bags. Maximum size is 24 x 16 x 10 inches including handles and wheels, with a weight limit of 35 pounds. That weight limit is important -- most airlines don't weigh carry-ons, but Frontier can and does. Pricing varies by route and timing:

• At booking: $30-$69
• After booking online: Higher than at booking
• At the airport or gate: $99-$115

Passengers who purchase The WORKS or The PERKS bundle get a carry-on included. Buying the "Board First" add-on also includes carry-on privileges and guarantees overhead bin space with Group 1 boarding.

Checked Baggage Fees

Checked bags must be 62 linear inches or less and weigh 40 pounds or less. That 40-pound limit is a big deal -- it's 10 pounds lighter than the 50-pound standard at most airlines. If you're a heavy packer, you need to know this before you show up at the counter. Fees depend on when you purchase:

• At booking: $53-$62 for the first bag
• After initial booking: $69-$74
• At the gate: $99+

Overweight fees are steep. Going even one pound over 40 lbs triggers a $75 fee. Over 50 lbs jumps to $100. You must check bags at least 60 minutes before departure for domestic flights.

Frontier also offers weight upgrades if you know you'll pack heavy. You can purchase upgrades to the 41-50 lb or 51-99 lb tier through the website or app. It's cheaper than paying the overweight fee at the counter.

Cancellation and Change Policy

Frontier's cancellation policy has improved significantly with "The New Frontier" rebranding:

• Within 24 hours of booking: Full refund if booked directly through Frontier
• With Flight Flexibility add-on: One free date/time change if made at least 24 hours before departure
• Standard cancellation: $99 per passenger, per direction
• Bundle purchasers: No cancellation fee if you bought Economy, Premium, or Business bundles
• Elite members: No fee when canceling 7+ days before departure

When you cancel, you'll typically receive a Frontier credit rather than a cash refund. These credits can be used toward future Frontier bookings. If Frontier cancels your flight, you're entitled to a full refund to your original payment method.

The Flight Flexibility add-on is worth considering if your plans might change. It lets you make one date or time change for free, as long as you do it at least 24 hours before departure. Without it, changing your flight costs $49-$99 plus any fare difference.

Name Change Policy

Frontier allows name corrections for spelling errors or legal name changes (marriage, divorce). Tickets cannot be transferred to another person.

Name change fees typically run $75-$100, and you may also owe any fare difference if the ticket needs to be reissued at a higher price. Minor corrections of a few characters may be handled at lower cost or free if caught quickly after booking.

You'll need to provide supporting documentation for legal name changes -- marriage certificates, divorce decrees, or court orders. Always double-check that your booking name matches your government ID exactly before confirming. Catching a mistake within 24 hours of booking is the easiest fix.

Seat Selection Policy

Frontier doesn't assign seats for free on basic fares. If you don't pay, a seat is randomly assigned at check-in -- and your group may be split up.

• Standard seats: $17-$55 each way
• Stretch seats (extra legroom): Higher than standard, varies by route
• Average roundtrip seat selection: About $36

Seat selection is included with Economy, Premium, and Business fare bundles. Families traveling with young children can get free family seating -- Frontier will seat a child under 14 next to an accompanying adult at no charge. Elite Silver members and above also get complimentary seat selection.

Frontier advertises some of the widest seats in the industry for an ultra-low-cost carrier. Standard seat pitch is comparable to other budget airlines, but the Stretch seats in the first few rows and exit rows offer noticeably more legroom.

Pet Policy

Frontier allows dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and small household birds in the cabin. That's a wider range of animals than most airlines accept. The one-way fee is $99. Pets must be at least 8 weeks old.

Carrier Requirements

• Hard-sided carrier: 18 x 14 x 8 inches maximum
• Soft-sided carrier: 18 x 14 x 11 inches maximum (recommended)

The carrier must fit under the seat in front of you and be large enough for the pet to stand, turn around, and lie down naturally. Only one adult pet per carrier. Pets can't sit in Row 1 or exit rows, and they must stay in the carrier for the entire flight.

No food or water is provided for pets during the flight, so make sure your animal is well-fed and hydrated before boarding. Frontier doesn't specify a weight limit for pets, but the carrier must fit under the seat.

Restrictions

Frontier does not accept large birds (parrots, macaws, cockatoos), rodents (mice, rats, squirrels), ferrets, reptiles, amphibians, spiders, or insects. International pet travel is restricted -- only service animals are accepted on international routes. New pets are no longer accepted for international travel.

Wifi and Entertainment

Frontier does not offer wifi on its flights. There are no TVs, movies, or in-flight entertainment systems, and no electrical outlets or USB ports onboard.

This is one of the biggest differences between Frontier and other carriers. On a 4-hour cross-country flight, that means zero connectivity. Plan accordingly -- download movies, shows, podcasts, and music to your device before you board. Bring a portable battery pack to keep your devices charged, because there's nowhere to plug in.

If staying connected during your flight is important, Frontier isn't the right airline. Spirit and even some other budget carriers offer wifi, making Frontier an outlier in this regard.

Other Key Policies

Bundles Worth Considering

Frontier offers bundles that can save money if you need multiple extras:

• The WORKS: Carry-on, checked bag, seat selection, priority boarding, Flight Flexibility, and no cancel fee
• The PERKS: Carry-on, seat selection, priority boarding, and Flight Flexibility

Compare the bundle price to buying add-ons individually. If you need a bag and a seat, the bundle almost always wins. The WORKS bundle is especially good value if you'd also want Flight Flexibility and a checked bag.

Food and Drinks

Nothing is complimentary on Frontier. Water, snacks, and drinks are all for purchase from the onboard menu. Bring your own food through security to save money -- just remember liquids must follow TSA rules. An empty water bottle you fill after security is the smartest move.

Unaccompanied Minors

Frontier accepts unaccompanied minors ages 12-14 for a fee. Children under 12 must travel with a passenger who is at least 15 years old.

Check-In

Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure. If you haven't purchased a seat, this is when one gets assigned to you. Check in as early as possible to get a better seat assignment. Airport counters close 60 minutes before departure.

FRONTIER Miles

Frontier's loyalty program earns miles on flights that can be redeemed for future travel. Elite status tiers (Silver, Gold, Diamond) unlock benefits like free carry-on bags, free seat selection, priority boarding, and waived change fees. The Frontier Airlines World Mastercard also earns miles on everyday purchases and includes a free carry-on on Frontier flights.