Have you ever seen a plane ticket online for less than the price of a nice dinner? If so, you were likely looking at Frontier Airlines. They are famous for their ultra-low ticket prices that make you stop and stare. But seeing those cheap numbers always leaves travelers asking one big question: is frontier a good airline?
The short answer is that it depends entirely on how you like to travel. If you want a luxury experience with free drinks, soft pillows, and movie screens, you will probably be disappointed. But if you just want a safe, cheap ride from point A to point B with a single small backpack, it can be a fantastic option. Let us break down everything you need to know about this budget airline so you can decide if it fits your next trip.
How Frontier Keeps Their Ticket Prices So Low
Frontier runs on a very specific business model called “unbundled pricing.” This means your basic ticket covers your seat on the plane and one small personal item that fits right under the seat in front of you. Everything else costs extra money. They do not give away free snacks, sodas, or even cups of water during the flight.
By stripping away these extra perks, they can keep their base fares incredibly low. If you are a minimalist who can pack light, this is amazing news. You only pay for the exact services you actually use. However, if you assume those things are included, you might face some unexpected costs at the gate.
Navigating the Strict Baggage Fee Rules
Baggage is the number one area where travelers get frustrated with Frontier. If you want to bring a full-size carry-on bag for the overhead bin, or if you want to check a large suitcase, you must pay a separate fee. These fees are usually much cheaper if you pay for them online when you buy your ticket instead of waiting until you get to the airport.
Your free personal item must fit inside their small measuring box at the gate, which is exactly 14 by 18 by 8 inches. The gate agents check these sizes very closely. If your backpack is too stuffed and does not fit easily into the metal sizer, they will charge you a hefty fee right there on the spot.
The New Frontier Fare Bundles Explained
To make things easier for everyday flyers, the company introduced an option called “The New Frontier.” Instead of buying everything separately, you can now choose from several upfront bundles when you buy your ticket. These packages group common travel needs together to save you some stress.
- Economy Bundle: Gives you a personal item, a carry-on bag, standard seat selection, and no change fees.
- Premium Bundle: Includes a personal item, a carry-on bag, premium seat selection, early boarding, and no change fees.
- Business Bundle: Features a personal item, a carry-on bag, two heavy checked bags, early boarding, and an UpFront Plus seat with an empty middle seat next to you.
What to Expect from the Seats and Cabin Comfort
When you step inside a Frontier plane, you will notice the seats look a bit different from traditional airlines. They are made of lightweight materials and are designed to be slim. Because of this, the standard seats do not recline at all. They are pre-set in a slightly tilted position to save space and weight.
For short flights under two hours, most people find the seats perfectly fine. However, if you are quite tall or have a long flight ahead, you might want to spend a little extra cash for their Premium or UpFront Plus seats. These rows offer extra legroom and are located near the front of the plane so you can get off faster.
In-Flight Entertainment and Staying Connected
If you love watching movies or texting your friends while flying high in the air, you need to prepare ahead of time. Frontier planes do not have TV screens on the backs of the seats. Even more important, they do not offer any in-flight Wi-Fi services on their planes, which is quite rare for airlines today.
There are also no power outlets or USB ports at the standard seats to charge your phones or tablets. To have a good flight, make sure you download your favorite movies, books, or games to your device before leaving your house. It is also a very smart idea to pack a fully charged portable power bank in your backpack.
Understanding Flight On-Time Reliability and Delays
When asking is frontier a good airline, you have to look at how often their planes land on time. Like any budget carrier, Frontier works hard to keep their planes moving constantly to save money. This means if a plane gets delayed early in the morning due to bad weather, it can cause a chain reaction of delays for the rest of the day.
Larger airlines often have extra planes waiting at big airports to save the day when things go wrong. Frontier has a smaller fleet, so if a flight gets cancelled, you might have to wait longer to get on the next available option. Buying travel insurance when you book can be a great way to protect yourself against these long delays.
The Truth About Customer Service Changes
In the past, Frontier received a lot of complaints because they removed their live phone customer support lines. Thankfully, they listened to the feedback from frustrated travelers. They have brought back enhanced live phone support alongside their online chat options to help people solve travel issues more quickly.
The gate agents and flight attendants are generally friendly but they are required to enforce the strict company rules regarding bag sizes and boarding zones. If you approach them with a polite attitude and follow the guidelines, your customer service experience will usually go very smoothly.
Frontier Miles and the Perks of Elite Status
If you find yourself flying with them frequently, joining their loyalty program called Frontier Miles is highly worth it. They offer several levels of Elite Status, such as Elite Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Reaching these levels can unlock fantastic perks that take away almost all the extra budget fees.
For example, Elite Gold members get free standard seat assignments and complimentary upgrades to premium seats when available. Higher tiers even offer free carry-on bags and the ability to bring a companion with you for free on any flight. This makes the overall travel experience feel much more like a traditional legacy airline.
Food and Beverage Options While in the Air
Do not expect a free cart of snacks and juices to roll down the aisle on your flight. If you want a bag of chips, a soda, or even a simple cup of water, you will have to pay for it with a credit card. A single bottle of water on board can easily cost four to five dollars.
The easiest way to beat this extra cost is to bring your own snacks from home. You can also bring an empty reusable water bottle through airport security and fill it up at a water fountain near your gate before you board. This simple trick keeps you hydrated without paying a special budget airline tax.
10. Comparing Frontier to Other Budget Carriers
When looking at the ultra-low-cost flight market, Frontier is often compared directly to Spirit Airlines. Both airlines use very similar business strategies with cheap base fares and extra fees. However, Frontier has been making big moves to offer more premium options like their guaranteed empty middle seat rows and upcoming first-class seating options.
If you know the rules of budget travel, choosing between them usually comes down to who has the better flight schedule and the lowest total price for your specific destination. Always calculate the total cost of your ticket with bags included before making your final decision.
Detailed Frontier Airlines Comparison Table
| Service Feature | Basic Ticket Option | New Frontier Bundles | Elite Status Members |
| Personal Item | Included for Free | Included for Free | Included for Free |
| Carry-On Bag | Extra Fee Required | Included for Free | Included for Free |
| Seat Selection | Extra Fee Required | Included (Standard/Premium) | Included for Free |
| Change or Cancel Fees | Fees Apply | Zero Fees Charged | Zero Fees Charged |
| Water and Snacks | Extra Fee Required | Extra Fee Required | Extra Fee Required |
| Boarding Order | Last Groups | Early Boarding Groups | Priority Zone 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Frontier a safe airline to fly on?
Yes, Frontier is a very safe airline. They fly a modern fleet of Airbus aircraft and must follow the exact same strict safety regulations set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as every other major U.S. airline.
What happens if my personal item is too big?
If your backpack or bag does not fit completely inside the metal sizing box at the gate, the agent will charge you a steep gate checked bag fee. It is always best to measure your bag at home before you leave.
Does Frontier give you free water on the plane?
No, Frontier charges for all drinks on board, including cups of water. You should buy a drink at the airport terminal or fill up a reusable bottle after passing security to avoid this charge.
Can families sit together for free on Frontier?
If you buy a basic ticket, you have to pay a fee to pick your seats together. However, Frontier’s booking system automatically tries to seat children under the age of 14 next to at least one adult on the reservation for free.
Are Frontier airline seats comfortable?
The standard seats are thin and do not recline, which might feel tight on long trips. If comfort is a high priority for you, consider purchasing an UpFront Plus seat bundle for extra legroom.
Can I change my Frontier flight if my plans change?
If you buy a Basic ticket, changing your flight will cost an extra fee. If you purchase an Economy, Premium, or Business bundle, you can change or cancel your flight with zero change fees.
Final Thoughts: Who Should Fly Frontier?
To wrap things up, is frontier a good airline? The honest answer is yes, as long as you know how to play by their rules. They are an excellent fit for weekend travelers, students, solo backpackers, and families traveling on a tight budget who can easily fit their clothes into a small personal item.
If you do not mind bringing your own snacks, downloading movies at home, and skipped luxuries, you can save hundreds of dollars. Those savings can be spent on a nicer hotel or fun activities at your destination instead. Just remember to read the fine print, measure your bags carefully, and enjoy your affordable flight!
