Frontier's fare is the price of a seat and one small bag. Everything bigger costs extra, and how much depends on when you pay. Get the rules right and Frontier is a bargain; get them wrong at the gate and the bag can cost more than the flight.
The three bag types at a glance
| Bag | Max size (inches) | Max weight | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal item | 18 x 14 x 8 | No weight listed for most travelers; it has to fit under the seat | Free on every fare |
| Carry-on | 24 x 16 x 10 | 35 lb | Paid, or in a bundle |
| Checked bag | 62 linear inches (length + width + depth) | 40 lb | Paid, or in the Business bundle |
Every measurement includes handles, wheels and straps. That detail is where most gate fees come from: a backpack that is 8 inches deep when empty is 10 inches deep when stuffed.
The free personal item: 18 x 14 x 8
Every Frontier ticket, including a GoWild Pass fare, includes one personal item that fits under the seat in front of you. Think a small backpack, a laptop bag or a purse, not a roller bag. Agents check personal items during boarding and may ask you to put it in the sizer.
- Soft beats hard. A soft backpack squeezes into the sizer; a hard shell bag that is half an inch over does not.
- Pack it, then measure it. Measure the bag full, the way you will carry it.
- Coats and small extras. A jacket you wear on board is not counted as a bag.
A personal item that is too big gets charged at the gate as a carry-on, and gate prices are the highest of the trip. We cover what fits (and real packing lists) in our personal item packing guide.
Carry-on bags: 24 x 16 x 10, up to 35 lb
A carry-on goes in the overhead bin and costs extra unless your fare includes it. The Economy, Premium and Business bundles all include a carry-on. Buying one on its own is cheapest when you add it during booking. It costs more if you add it later in Manage Trip, more again at the airport, and most at the gate.
Checked bags: 62 linear inches, 40 lb
Frontier's standard checked bag limit is 40 lb, lower than the 50 lb many travelers are used to on other airlines. Some bundles and elite statuses allow more weight; the Business bundle includes two checked bags at 50 lb each. Buy checked bags at least 60 minutes before departure.
Overweight and oversize fees
These are charged per bag, per direction, and are not refundable:
| Bag | Fee |
|---|---|
| 41 to 50 lb | $75 |
| 51 to 99.99 lb | $129 for bookings made on or after April 4, 2026 ($100 before) |
| 100 lb or more | Not accepted |
| 63 to 110 linear inches | $75 |
| Over 110 linear inches | Not accepted |
A bag that is both overweight and oversize can be charged both fees, so a cheap luggage scale pays for itself on the first trip.
How to pay as little as possible
- Fly with the personal item only when the trip allows it. Three or four days in a soft backpack is very doable.
- Buy bags at booking, never at the gate.
- Price the bundle. If you want a carry-on and a seat anyway, the Economy bundle often costs about the same, and it also removes change and cancel fees. See Frontier bundles explained.
- Use miles. Frontier Miles can be redeemed for bags and seats as well as flights.
- Weigh at home. 40 lb arrives faster than you think.
Bag fees work the same way on a GoWild Pass ticket: the airfare is a penny, the bags are not. Our GoWild bag fees guide covers the pass-specific details.
Quick answers
What size is Frontier's free personal item?
Up to 18 x 14 x 8 inches, including handles, wheels and straps. It must fit under the seat in front of you and is included on every fare.
How big can a Frontier carry-on be?
Up to 24 x 16 x 10 inches and 35 lb, including handles and wheels. Carry-ons cost extra unless your fare is an Economy, Premium or Business bundle.
What is the weight limit for a Frontier checked bag?
40 lb and 62 linear inches. Bags of 41 to 50 lb cost $75 extra per direction; heavier bags cost more, and bags of 100 lb or more are not accepted.
Is it cheaper to pay for Frontier bags online?
Yes. Bags cost least when added during booking and more at the airport and the gate. Frontier's Bag Price Checker shows the price for your route and date.
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