Is Frontier Airlines any good?

[jimmymc]

There are pros and cons, some of which you really need to weigh for a big trip.

Pros:
1. Cheap base fares. Obviously cheap is nice.
2. You pay for what you need. If I just want a checked bag, that's all I need to add. If I want an emergency exit row, it's often cheaper than the same seat on Delta.
3. They offer direct flights between smaller airports.

Cons:
1. Lots of fees. All seats require an extra fee, as do carry on bags, checking in at the airport, and any snacks on drinks on the plane.
2. Less frequent flight schedules mean there are fewer options when something goes wrong. If your flight is canceled the day of, they might not be able to fly you until 3 days later. Your only options at that point are waiting 3 days or taking a refund and buying a flight on another airline. This has only happened to me once on Spirit and never on Frontier, but it's theoretically possible. This has actually happened to me twice on American and once on Delta/Westjet, so it can happen on any airline. But if Delta has 4 flights a day and Frontier has 1, Delta has more backup options.

That last con would make me hesitant to use them for a Disney vacation, where missing a day or two means you're out a lot of money. Try to fly earlier in the day and check backup options should a flight get canceled.

 

[heresabe]

I really liked Frontier when I began to use the airline. I did not perceive the seats to be all that uncomfortable and, as I was aware that nothing is free onboard (except tap water), I was not disillusioned when there was even a fee for coffee (I did not partake). One time, when most airlines were delaying or cancelling flights due to snow in my departing airport, my Frontier flight departed on time.

But...on a return flight a couple of years ago, my flight was initially delayed and, though FlightAware showed that my plane was enroot to my departing airport, my flight was ultimately cancelled with no explanation or compensation. Since Frontier only offered one flight per day to my destination, I had no recourse but to book a last-minute flight on another airline. I have not used Frontier since.

 

[maxiesmom]

Frontier is very strict about the 40 pound bag thing. They also do not print out boarding passes. Download the app and be ready! The gate agents are no joke. They thrive on "catching" too big bags to force payment at the gate (they earn $10) commission and ticket agents are no different. You will be charged just for speaking to an agent. They're also woefully understaffed and all gate/ticket agents work for a third party so complaining to Frontier does next to nothing. I worked at the airport for a stint and learned a lot.

There are videos of them arguing with customers that the bag don't fit in the size checker when they clearly do. It is really a racket.

 

[Lewisc]

There are videos of them arguing with customers that the bag don't fit in the size checker when they clearly do. It is really a racket.

It's not a racket. It's a game. The GA is paid.$10 for every bag that doesn't fit and is checked. Some passengers are cheated.

Some of the videos are deceptiv. The item in the sizer fits. The purse, laptop bag...isn't shown in the video. There isn't enough room to combine then. Some remove items planning on putting them back later.

One passenger on my flight wanted to smash hard shelled.bag so it will fit.