BAGGAGE FAQS


How many bags am I allowed to carry on?
We allow each passenger to board with one piece of carry-on baggage and a personal item, such as a handbag or small tote. Your carry-on bag's dimensions can't exceed a total of 49 linear inches (not to exceed 24" length + 15.5" width + 9.5" depth) and the bag can't weigh more than 35 pounds. Your carry-on bag must fit underneath the seat or in an enclosed overhead bin.

Remember that all baggage is subject to inspection by us and/or the airport Security staff. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has a list of "prohibited" items - those that can't be taken onboard - on their website. Visit www.tsa.gov for the most up-to-date list.

How do you define a personal item?
In addition to the one carry-on bag, you may carry one personal item. A personal item is a small item carried on which fits underneath the seat in front of you. Some examples of a personal item include:

  • Handbag, purse, or pocketbook
  • Backpack
  • Briefcase
  • Laptop computer, with or without a bag

I use a walker, which collapses easily to fit into the overhead compartment. Does this count toward the carry-on bag allowance?
No problem. Canes, crutches, braces and other assistive devices for passengers with special needs are not counted toward the carry-on allowance.

Can I take my child's stroller or car seat with me on the plane?
You can bring car seats that are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and show a red label stating: "This restraint device is approved for motor vehicle and aircraft use." The approved seat should be no wider than 16 inches to fit in most coach seats.

If you need them, strollers may be used to transport your child to the gate, but then must be checked at the gate as baggage. The stroller will be returned to the gate at your final destination.

How many bags am I allowed to check?
Any free baggage allowance is based on the ticket purchase date. Refer to this chart to determine charges when checking bags on flights within the United States. Please refer to our international travel section for the baggage fee schedule for international flights.

Economy
Ticket Purchase Date 9/7/09 or earlier
Economy
Ticket Purchase Date 9/8/09 or later
ClassicClassic PlusSummit, Ascent, Midwest Miles Executive
1st
$15
$20
Free
Free
Free
2nd
$25
$30
Free
Free
Free
3rd and more (each)
$50
$50
$50
$50
$50

Active duty military personnel with ID (not including family members or traveling companions) will not be assessed bag fees, and media personnel may check bags and equipment for $25 each.

I am connecting to your codeshare partner, Midwest Airlines, will my bags be transferred?
Yes. We will collect your baggage and tag it to your final destination even when a portion of your itinerary is operated by Midwest Airlines.

Will your codeshare partner, Midwest Airlines, transfer my bags to you if travel begins on them?
Yes. Midwest Airlines will also tag your bag to the final destination. Note that they have different fees at check-in. Refer to their website at www.midwestairlines.com for more information.

I paid fees when checking in bags online, but decided not to take them or they were exempt. Can I get a refund?
Baggage fees are non-refundable, so only check what you are sure you are going to bring to the airport. You can always add more bags at the airport if you need to. If you know you are checking items that are exempt from baggage fees, you can only check them in at the airport to get the baggage fees waived. The online system doesn't have any way to waive fees for exempt items. None of this prevents you from checking in online and getting your seat assignment. You'll still save time at the airport if you use the online system to check-in.

What if I have to check more than my baggage allowance?
We know there may be extraordinary circumstances when you'll need to check more than you'd planned. We charge for each additional item. Refer to the chart above. Remember, there are additional fees if your bag weighs more than 50 pounds or exceeds the standard dimensions. If your bag is really heavy (over 100 pounds), we'll ask you to ship it via cargo. The fee for items weighing more than 50 pounds is $75. The fee for oversize bags exceeding 62 linear inches (length + width + depth) is $75. These fees are charged separately and one item can incur multiple fees. You can read more about baggage in the Contract of Carriage (PDF).

I'm bringing my prized rock collection home. Is there a weight limit for checked luggage?
We know it's a "weighty" issue but each bag you check may not exceed 50 pounds. There is a fee of $75 if your bag weighs more than 50 pounds. We allow some exceptions to excess and dimension limitations; you can read about them in the baggage chart. Before you ask for an exception, please know that we take the safety of our passengers and employees very seriously. We've spent hours and hours with some pretty smart engineers who have told us flat out that it's best to keep those checked bags under 50 pounds each. And, as much as we'd like to help, we don't accept baggage that weighs more than 99.9 pounds or exceeds 110 linear inches (length + width + depth). Thanks for your understanding of our policy on this.

Should I lock my luggage?
Please keep in mind that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is screening all checked baggage for your security. Unlocked bags can be examined quickly. Locked bags will be opened if necessary, and then resealed. Neither Frontier or the TSA is liable for damage caused to locked bags that must be opened for security purposes. You can find further information on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website. That being said, we highly recommend that you do NOT pack the following items in your checked bags: cash; jewelry; electronics; laptop computers; fragile items; medications; car keys; important documents.

How early am I allowed to check in my baggage for my flight?
We understand that you might want to leave your bags with us and have more time to hang out before your flight, but you may only check or drop off baggage at the ticket counter up to four hours prior to flight departure. However, in our smaller cities, ticket counters may not open until two to three hours prior to scheduled departure. Also, please note that baggage check-in cutoff is 30 or 45 minutes (depending on the departure airport) prior to scheduled departure for domestic flights and 60 minutes prior to scheduled departure for international flights. Please go to Airport & Terminal info for these exceptions.

I'm on my way to a business golf get-together. Can I check my clubs and other sporting equipment?
It's par for the course. We can handle all kinds of sporting equipment although there may be additional fees if the item is very large or very heavy. Please check the baggage chart to see if your sporting equipment can go with you and what the size limits may be.

I need to find out information about damaged/lost baggage please.
We're sorry that something's happened. We'll do our best to make things right. First off, please know that it's really important for you to report a property loss, damage or delay, in person, and within four hours, upon your arrival at your destination. We sincerely want to help, so we need to know as soon as possible.

Whoa! My baggage didn't show! What happens if my luggage is lost?
Nothing's worse than standing at that baggage claim and having your bag not show up. If this happens, we want to get things fixed for you. First, go to our Baggage Service office, which is in the baggage claim area or at our ticket counter, to report your delayed bag. The baggage service agent will create a tracing file and provide updates to you regarding the status of your bag.

Oh, man! The baggage I checked got all messed up! What do I do about a damaged bag?
We're so sorry your baggage got damaged. Honest. We'll do what we can to make things better. If this happens and you want to report it, here's what you need to do. Within four hours of your arrival, please go to our Baggage Service office in the airport where you arrived. Show the baggage to the agent so he or she can assess the damage and liability. Please understand that we'll do what we can, but know that we aren't liable for normal wear and tear, including scratches, small dents, rips, tears, and basically, well, dirt. We also aren't liable for torn, scratched, missing or telescopic handles, straps, zippers, wheels or wheel casings. If you tried to stuff a year's worth of clothes into that small weekend bag - in other words, you overstuffed your stuff - we aren't liable. That's just not fair to the poor, helpless bag. Also, keep in mind that we aren't liable for the baggage carried in the passenger compartment of the aircraft.

Whoops! I left something on the plane! What can I do?
Hey, you were sitting for a long time and we know you were anxious to get off that plane. We know the scenario: You're well inside the terminal and 'doink,' you remember that special something you left in the overhead compartment or in the seatback pocket. It happens. Please contact a customer service representative before leaving the airport so he or she can try to retrieve the item.

If you've left the airport, please contact our Found Property Department at 1-800-265-5505, extension 4634 or send an email to lostandfound@flyfrontier.com and provide a detailed description of the lost item, and your contact information. All recovered items are sent to Found Property and held for 30 days, while we attempt to reunite you with your stuff. If your lost article is found, one of our representatives will contact you. However, if we don't locate your item, please understand that we can't promise to call you. A reminder, please refer to the Contract of Carriage (PDF) for Frontier's liability policies.

I'm checking through some important items. Can I insure them?
We understand that sometimes you might want a bit more confidence as you allow us to transport your belongings. Rule of thumb is that the standard declared value we allow is $3,300 per checked bag. We don't offer any additional insurance.

I need to transport firearms and ammunition. What is the procedure?
Transporting firearms and ammunition is allowed under certain conditions. For everyone's safety, refer to firearms & ammunition for the rules and packing requirements for checking firearms and ammunition. Here is what you can expect:
  • Ensure your firearm is unloaded before packing in a hard-sided, locked case and arriving at the airport.
  • Declare your firearm to a customer service representative at check-in.
  • You will be asked to sign a tag declaring that the firearm is unloaded.
    • The tag must be placed with the firearm inside the hard-sided, locked container.
  • Your firearm must be screened by TSA. You may need to accompany the firearm and unlock the case if requested.
    • When the TSA is done screening, you need to re-lock the case.
  • Frontier will then take your firearm as checked baggage.
    • Depending on the size of the case and the airport facility, the firearm may arrive in the oversize area at your final destination.

Can I bring fireworks?
Although we think fireworks are really fun to watch in the sky, we don't accept fireworks on our planes under any conditions.

I'm with the military; what can I take?
Frontier supports our troops. Active duty military personnel who present their ID or who are traveling in uniform and reservists traveling with orders do not have to pay bag fees including excess, oversize and overweight fees. However, Special/Fragile item fees still apply. Although we aren't charging oversize or overweight fees, any baggage exceeding 110 linear inches or 99.9 lbs may not be checked. This exemption does not apply to family members or traveling companions.

I'm with the media and travel with a lot of equipment; what is your policy if I present a press card?
A representative of a network or broadcasting company, or a film or video production company, may check camera film, videotapes, lighting, and sound equipment for a flat fee of $25 each when checking in with Frontier Airlines only. No oversize or overweight charges apply although baggage may not exceed 110 linear inches or 99.9 lbs.