✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
Frontier is an ultra-low-cost carrier, which means the headline fare buys you a seat and one free personal item — nothing else. Every other bag, including a standard carry-on, is a paid add-on. Frontier’s bag fees are notoriously dynamic: they change by route, travel date, and — most importantly — when you buy. Paying at booking is always cheapest; paying at the airport gate is by far the most expensive.
This guide covers Frontier’s current 2026 allowances, weight limits and fee structure. Because Frontier prices bags individually per itinerary through its Bag Price Checker, exact dollar amounts vary — we give the typical published ranges and flag where they move.
Quick facts
| Personal item | Free — 18 x 14 x 8 in, up to 35 lb (under seat) |
| Carry-on | Paid — 24 x 16 x 10 in, up to 35 lb; ~$30-$69 at booking, up to $99-$115 at gate |
| 1st checked bag | Paid — 62 linear in, up to 40 lb; ~$53-$62 at booking, ~$99+ at gate |
| Overweight 41-50 lb | $75 per bag, per direction |
| Oversize 63-110 linear in | $75 per bag, per direction |
| Cheapest fare includes | Personal item only |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | 18 x 14 x 8 in (45 x 35 x 20 cm). Free on every fare. Must fit under the seat in front of you. Weight limit up to 35 lb. Measured at boarding — exceeding the size triggers a charge. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 24 x 16 x 10 in (61 x 41 x 25 cm) · Up to 35 lb Not free. Roughly $30-$69 if purchased during booking; rises afterward, and can reach $99-$115 if paid at the boarding gate. Varies by route/date. |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | None included on standard fares — buy per bag |
| Weight limit | Up to 40 lb (lower than the typical 50 lb on legacy carriers) |
| Typical fee | First checked bag roughly $53-$62 at booking; ~$69-$74 if added later; flat ~$99+ at the gate. Second bag costs more. Varies by route/date. |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy (Basic) | Included | Paid add-on | Paid add-on |
| Economy bundle | Included | Included | Paid add-on |
| Premium | Included | Included | Paid add-on |
| Business | Included | Included | 2 bags (up to 50 lb each) |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What Frontier’s cheapest fare actually includes at deal prices: one personal item, and that’s it. When you see a rock-bottom Frontier headline fare, budget for the bags it doesn’t cover. A standard carry-on is not free — that catches many travelers out, since most airlines include one. Buying it at booking (~$30-$69) versus at the gate ($99-$115) can more than double your real trip cost.
aifly tip: if you only need a small bag, pack into the free 18 x 14 x 8 in personal item and skip the carry-on fee entirely. If you need more, a Frontier bundle (Economy/Premium/Business) is usually cheaper than buying carry-on + checked bag à la carte — and locks the price before gate surcharges hit. Always add bags during the initial booking; Frontier’s prices only go up the longer you wait.
Oversize, sports & special items
Overweight charges (per bag, per direction): 41-50 lb is $75. For bookings made on or after 4 April 2026, 51-99.99 lb is $129 (previously $100). Bags over 100 lb are not accepted.
Oversize charges (per bag, per direction): bags between 63 and 110 linear inches incur $75. Bags over 110 linear inches are not accepted. Note that the standard checked allowance maxes at 40 lb, so even a 41-50 lb bag triggers the overweight fee on top of the base checked-bag fee.
Sports equipment & instruments: these are accepted as checked baggage and counted toward your bag allowance, subject to the same size/weight limits and overweight/oversize fees. A bag exceeding the weight or linear-inch caps pays the relevant surcharge in addition to the checked-bag fee.
2026 note: the main confirmed change is the overweight fee for 51-99.99 lb bags rising from $100 to $129 for bookings on or after 4 April 2026. Carry-on and checked fees otherwise remain dynamic and route/date dependent.
Frequently asked questions
Is a carry-on bag free on Frontier?
No. Only the personal item (18 x 14 x 8 in, under-seat) is free. A standard carry-on (24 x 16 x 10 in) is a paid add-on on standard fares — roughly $30-$69 at booking, more later, and up to $99-$115 at the gate.
How big can my free personal item be on Frontier?
Up to 18 x 14 x 8 inches (about 45 x 35 x 20 cm) and up to 35 lb. It must fit under the seat in front of you and is measured at boarding.
How much does a checked bag cost on Frontier?
The first checked bag is roughly $53-$62 if purchased at booking, around $69-$74 if added later, and about $99 or more if paid at the gate. Prices vary by route and travel date.
What is the checked bag weight limit on Frontier?
40 lb on standard fares — lower than the 50 lb common on legacy carriers. Bags 41-50 lb incur a $75 overweight fee per bag, per direction. The Business bundle raises the included limit to 50 lb.
Why is buying bags at the gate so expensive on Frontier?
Frontier prices bags dynamically and penalizes late purchases. A carry-on can jump to $99-$115 and a checked bag to $99+ at the gate. Always add bags during the initial booking to get the lowest price.
Which Frontier fare includes checked bags?
Only the Business bundle includes checked bags (2 bags up to 50 lb each) plus a carry-on. Economy and Premium bundles include a carry-on but not checked bags; the lowest Economy/Basic fare includes the personal item only.
What are Frontier's oversize and overweight fees in 2026?
Overweight: $75 for 41-50 lb; for bookings on/after 4 April 2026, $129 for 51-99.99 lb (over 100 lb not accepted). Oversize: $75 for 63-110 linear inches (over 110 linear inches not accepted). All per bag, per direction.