Is Frontier A Good Airline? Details & Reviews

If you have recently searched for domestic flights in the United States, you have likely seen Frontier Airlines pop up in the search. This low-cost carrier flies to over 120 destinations throughout North America. The airline’s hub is in Denver, Colorado, making it easy to connect to cities and tourist hotspots across the country. 

Is Frontier a Good Airline?

Frontier Airlines is one of the leading budget airlines in the United States. Their core focus is offering low fares and a no-frills approach. The airline connects many smaller destinations across the country at a very reasonable price which makes it a great option for people looking to save money. In this article, we will take a deep dive into what makes Frontier Airlines different from other carriers in the United States, when to choose Frontier Airlines, and when to avoid them. 

When to Choose Frontier Airlines

Frontier Airlines is a great airline for anyone looking to travel from Point A to Point B as affordably as possible. People who should use Frontier Airlines are really anyone who is willing to exchange comfort for affordability. The best time to fly Frontier is when they are offering promotion rates, but it’s important to keep in mind that they predominantly operate as a point-to-point airline, which means that they don’t offer the same type of customer service as legacy carriers do when you’re planning a trip that includes layovers. 

Is Frontier A Good Airline - for Budget Travelers

If you’re traveling on a tight budget, then Frontier Airlines is a good choice for you! Their motto is “Low Fares Done Right,” and you can get flights starting at just $33 one way. (Please refer to the official website for the latest information.) Seat assignments and carry on and checked baggage will cost extra and can sometimes double or triple the cost of the ticket so this is best for people traveling light.

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Is Frontier A Good Airline - for Short Trips

As mentioned above, Frontier Airlines prides itself on being a point-to-point airline. They won’t transfer your bags between flights, and they won’t offer assistance if one flight is delayed, causing you to miss a second one. 

Is Frontier A Good Airline - for Families

Due to the low fares and the range of family-friendly travel destinations that they cover, Frontier Airlines is an excellent choice for families traveling on a budget. Just make sure to take lots of drinks and snacks on board to keep little bellies fed. Frontier Airlines usually sells food during the flight, but be prepared to pay exorbitant prices for this!

When Not to Use Frontier Airlines

Is Frontier A Good Airline - for Multi-Leg Trips

If you’re planning a complicated, multi-leg trip, you may want to consider skipping Frontier Airlines unless you have plenty, and we mean plenty, of time to make it to your next connection. Long delays and curt customer service are common Frontier Airlines issues, and can add more stress to your journey. 

Is Frontier A Good Airline - for Luxury Travelers

If you love to travel in the lap of luxury, you’ll definitely want to skip Frontier Airlines. This carrier is as low-frills as it gets with cramped seating, no on-board food and beverage service, and no lounges at the airport. Frontier Airlines is basically a bus service in the air. They can get you where you’re going, but don’t expect much comfort along the way!

Frontier Airlines Baggage Policy

Frontier Airlines can be very strict when it comes to how much luggage you can bring with you and how much you’ll need to pay for it. Frontier baggage rules state that passengers can bring one personal item with them as part of their fare, but that they will need to pay extra for carry-on and checked baggage. 

• Personal items must be no larger than 14” H x 18” W x 8” D, including handles, wheels, and straps.  The personal items allowed should be the size of a purse or small backpack, and they must be able to fit under the seat in front of you. There is a maximum of one personal item included in the fare, so if you want to bring a purse and a backpack, you’ll have to pay extra fees for the backpack. 
• Carry-on bags can be up to 24” H x 16” W x 10” D and weigh no more than 35 lbs. They should fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. This includes many smaller wheeled suitcases and larger backpacks, but always double-check the dimensions of your bag before heading to the airport so you don’t have any unexpected surprises!

Note that personal items, while included in your fare, are also subject to a weight limit of 35 lbs, similar to carry-on bags.

When you’re booking with Frontier Airlines, it’s a very good idea to check any additional costs associated with luggage before you purchase your ticket. These costs can add up very quickly, and you may end up being better off booking a “legacy” airline like United or American Airlines. (Don’t forget to check the baggage fees for these airlines as well, though, as they have also started charging for carry-on luggage on some fares!)

In-Flight Experience on Frontier

As a low-cost carrier, Frontier Airlines offers bare bones service. This allows the airline to keep costs down and pass on the savings to you. 

Frontier Airlines - Comfort and Entertainment

The seats tend to be pretty cramped, and they don’t recline (if you’re tall, you should get the emergency exit seat to avoid some major discomfort), but they are comfortable enough for short flights.  There is no entertainment system, so don’t forget to download some shows or movies on Netflix or load up your Kindle so that you can keep yourself occupied on the plane. 

Frontier Airlines - Food and Drinks

The Frontier Airlines cabin experience also means that you won’t be served meals on the plane. Since airport food tends to be really expensive, we advise bringing everything that you need from home, including plenty of snacks and a water bottle full of water. Since flights can often get delayed when you’re sitting on the tarmac, we always like to bring double what we think we will need for the duration of the flight. That way, you won’t be sitting there hungry and thirsty on the plane. If you know what to expect on Frontier and come prepared, you should have a nice, easy flight. 

Alternatives to Frontier Airlines

Frontier vs. Spirit 

Spirit Airlines is the biggest competitor to Frontier Airlines when it comes to low-cost carriers. If you’re unable to find the right flight, you should always check with the other airlines. Spirit offers the same no-frills approach, with limited service on board and smaller-than-average seats. They also allow you to add on seats and luggage during the booking process. The price for baggage and seats tends to be similar on both carriers but you should check this when comparing flight prices.

Frontier vs. Southwest

Another airline to keep an eye on is Southwest Airlines. Although this isn’t considered a low-cost carrier, they do cover a lot of routes that the major airlines don’t. This is really helpful if you don’t live by a major airport and want to avoid connections. Southwest Airlines is famous for its flexible policies and friendly service, so this is a terrific option for travelers who like flexibility. 

There are also many other regional airlines across the United States that specialize in certain regions. You can easily find these on Trip.com by inputting your starting and ending destinations.