Frontiers Airlines - 2024 Updated Guide - Carry-on Bag Size, Baggage Allowance and Fees

Frontier Airlines is popular as ultra-low-cost compared to other US airlines. Therefore, it is understandable that they charge extra fees for luggage. You can only bring a personal item for free. Both the hand and checked luggage are subject to specific fees.

The price varies depending on when and how you purchase the luggage. Let’s find out everything you need to know about Frontier carry-on size and the related process you must finish before boarding the plane.

Overview Of Frontiers And Their Baggage Policy

Frontier is one of the few airlines that charge fees for hand luggage and checked luggage. The only free luggage you are allowed to bring is your personal items. They also specifically state what is considered personal items, hand luggage and checked luggage. 

According to their official website, personal items must be under 35x45x20cm/14x18x8in. For the handbag and checked bag, the size will be 61x40x25cm/24x16x10in and 157 linear cm/62 linear inches, respectively.

For items like medical devices, wheelchairs, duty-free, etc., Frontier Airlines won’t charge an extra fee. 

You can purchase the luggage online when booking the tickets, before checking in, at the ticket counter, or even at the gate. However, the ideal option is to buy them along with the tickets, as the price will increase later on.

Fun fact: Have you ever spotted cute animals such as Blanco the Polar Bear adorned on Frontier’s tails? Each animal has its own name and backstory, such as Blanco the Polar Bear or Summer the Swan. 

Frontier charges extra fees for carry-on luggage and checked luggage. Photo by Miguel Ángel Sanz on Unsplash.

Frontiers Cabin Baggage Allowances

If you're planning to fly with Frontier Airlines, the good news is, that you can bring a personal item onboard for free. but don’t go overboard as there are rules and fees you need to be aware of.

Does Frontier Allow 1 Free Carry-On Bag: Frontier Personal Item Rules

As stated above, the only free luggage you are allowed to bring is a personal items-size bag. This includes purses, tote bags, laptop bags, etc. The required size of the bag is 14"H X 18"W X 8"D (35x45x20cm). But more important than size, it must fit under the seat. 

Frontier Airlines will check the dimensions very carefully before your flight, as many have told the tales. So make sure the size of your bag fits their requirement. Choose a bag that can be squeezed easily if needed. Otherwise, your bag will be considered hand luggage, and you will have to pay extra fees. 

Therefore, it’s wise to travel with only a backpack, also known as one bag travel, if you want to avoid the Frontier bag fees. yes, 

We recommend the CabinZero 28L Backpack. Its dimensions are 15.4" x 11.6" x 7.9" (39 x 29,5 x 20 cm), following the regulations of Frontier Airlines. Equipped with a side strap, you can carry it as a backpack or a duffel. It also has laptop sleeves and a clamshell opening to help you pack more efficiently.

Does Frontier Enforce Carry-On: Frontier’s Carry-On Baggage Policy

For carry-on luggage, you are allowed to bring no more than 15kg/35lbs, with total dimensions of 61x25x40cm/24"H X 16"W X 10"D. Note that these dimensions already take the handles, wheels and straps into account.

You can use big backpacks, duffels, small suitcases, etc., as hand luggage. However, only one handbag will be allowed, and it must be placed in the overhead bin (in a different place from the personal item).

The fee for carry-on luggage depends on how and when you book it. Is there a fixed price for the luggage? No. It varies on different flights. You can search for the luggage price of your flight beforehand on the Frontier Airlines website.

You can search for the luggage fee of your flight on their website. Screenshot photo from flyfrontier.com

Normally, the lowest price for a Frontier carry-on bag is around $59, and the highest price can be about $100. The cheapest way to buy is always when you book your tickets online. After that, the price will increase steadily as the departure time approaches.

Frontiers Checked Baggage Allowance & Fees

For checked baggage, you can bring up to 18,1kg / 40 pounds with a linear size of 157 cm / 62 inches (your typical hold bags limit).

If your bags exceed this size, you will have to pay $75 extra for EACH bag per direction. Overweight bags are subject to additional charges: $75 for bags weighing 41-50 pounds (18.6-22.68 kg) and $100 for those between 51-100 pounds (23.1-45.36 kg)

The maximum weight that Frontier Airlines accepts is 100 pounds (45kg) or 110 linear inches (278cm). This means that if your luggage is bigger, it will not be accepted on board.

The price of checked bags will increase with each bag you bring. The checked bag will become more and more expensive as time goes by and your departure time approaches. You can only pay for luggage 60 minutes before the flight. 

You have to pay extra fees for each checked bag you bring with Frontier Airlines. Photo by Phil Mosley on Unsplash

How To Book Tickets And Check In With Frontiers 

Before you can get on the plane, you will, of course, have to buy the tickets and check in. During these steps, you can always pay for your Frontier carry-on luggage. Understanding the process will help you make a better decision about when to pay your fee.

Where To Buy The Ticket

This is the step you should pay utmost attention to, as it will affect your entire trip and is the only opportunity to pay the cheapest luggage fee. You can buy the ticket for Frontier Airlines flights on their official website, mobile app, or even at the airport.

However, not all airports have agents to help you every day, so purchasing a ticket online is best. It’s also more convenient to compare the prices and see different benefits.

You can also buy Frontier Airlines tickets from third-party websites. But the price might not be as reasonable as when you buy directly from Frontier. Plus, there are chances of scamming, unsupportive service, etc.

Check-in process

The process of checking in Frontier flights doesn’t vary much compared to other airlines.

With domestic and international flights, you are recommended to arrive at the airport about 2 hours beforehand and check in at least 60 minutes beforehand, which is fairly standard.

• During check-in, you can choose your seat and pay an extra fee if your luggage exceeds the permitted weight.
• After weighing and achieving all the tags you need with your luggage, you can head to the gate if you travel domestically.
• The process will be longer if you travel internationally because you will have to go through an immigration check. Here, they will check your visa and ask you a couple of questions about your trip. 
• Before getting to the gate, you will pass a security check where they will examine yourself and your luggage. As long as you didn’t bring anything forbidden on the plane, there’s no need to worry. Frontier recommends you show up at least 30 minutes at the gate before the flight.

Frontier Airlines’ check-in process doesn’t differ much from other airlines. Photo by Daniel Lim on Unsplash

Check-In Type

A plus for Frontier Airlines flights is that they allow checking in online or by their apps. You can check in early from up to 24 hours before the flight. And the online check-in service won’t close until 60 minutes left, which is also the limited time for you to check in for international flights.

If you prefer to check in at the airport, you can choose to do it by yourself at the self-service kiosks or at Frontier's full-service check-in counters. When choosing these types, you will need the passenger names and a confirmation code that they sent you.

We would recommend you check in online when travelling by Frontier Airlines. The process is actually quite simple, and it will save you a lot of time and effort at the airport. 

If you check in online and only carry the hand luggage, you can skip the ticket counter line and head straight to the security check. If you bring along more luggage, follow Frontier’s signs to check your bags.

FAQ

1. How Strict Is Frontier On Carry-On Size?

Frontier Airlines is very strict on carry-on size. There are many reviews that Frontier employees even attempt to make passengers pay for extra hand luggage though their bags can suit perfectly under the seat.

As a budget airline, its revenue comes a lot from selling the luggage. The airline even has a policy to provide commission for employees who can charge extra for baggage.  So they will check your carry-on extremely carefully to not miss any potential budget.

2. How Much Does Frontier Charge For Carry-On?

Frontier charges around $59 to $99 for each carry-on luggage. The price varies based on when you buy it and which flight you are on. The cheapest way is to buy the bags when booking your tickets. And the most expensive time to buy them is at the gate before boarding your plane.

If your carry-on exceeds its regulated dimensions or weight, you will be charged an extra fee. You can search for the fee for your luggage on Frontier’s official website.

3. Can I Bring A Backpack On Frontier For Free?

Yes, you can bring a backpack on Frontier for free, as long as it fits under the seat to be counted as a personal items bag. The dimensions of it must be under 14"H X 18"W X 8"D (35x45x20cm). Any bags that exceed this size will be charged an extra fee. You are only allowed to bring 1 backpack as personal items.

4. Are Snacks Free On Frontier Airlines?

The answer is no. Snacks are not complimentary and will be charged an extra fee during the flight. Drinks are also not free on the plane, even water. Frontier does provide food, snacks and drinks during the flight. But they will cost you extra fees and not quite cheap at all. 

Frontier explains that because they want to provide their customers with cost-saving options. The decision of whether to spend your budget or not is entirely up to you. But you can still bring your own snacks or buy food and drinks after TSA or screening to carry them on the plane.

Frontier Airlines doesn’t provide snacks for free on the plane. Photo by Oskar Kadaksoo on Unsplash.

5. Why Is Frontier Airlines So Cheap?

The reason Frontier Airlines is so cheap is because their main revenue doesn’t come from selling the tickets. This can be called ancillary revenue.

Nothing is free during the flight. They charge for luggage, snacks, drinks, etc. Basically, any complimentary you usually have for free with other airlines will cost you extra fees. The planes are smaller, flight times are more limited. All of these factors help Frontier keep its fare to the lowest.

Conclusion

Frontier carry-on size can be examined more strictly than most other airlines, as this is due to the much cheaper fare of the tickets. Though the rules might seem too many, this is a suitable trade-off for a cheap budget. Be detailed and pack carefully; your trip with Frontier will be cost-effective.

We hope this guide has helped you understand Frontier Airlines’ baggage policy better. If you found this article informative, please don't forget to share it with your friends and family who might find it useful. And if you have any questions or comments, feel free to share them below. We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Claire Thuc