Airline check-in guide
Frontier Airlines check-in: cutoffs, carry-on rules, and bag fees
Check in online 24 hours before departure and be through airport check-in by Frontier Airlines's cutoff of 60 minutes before departure on domestic flights. Bag-drop closes 60 minutes before departure — miss that window and your bag may not make the plane even if you do.
Looking for oversize fees, sports equipment, or stroller policy? See the full Frontier Airlines baggage guide.
When does Frontier Airlines open online check-in?
Frontier Airlines opens online check-in 24 hours before departure and closes it 60 minutes before departure. The moment the window opens today, check in — you lock in your seat, skip the ticket-counter queue, and have your boarding pass on your phone before you leave home.
What is Frontier Airlines's airport check-in cutoff?
| Flight type | Check-in closes | Bag drop closes |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic | 60 minutes before departure | 60 minutes before departure |
| International | 60 minutes before departure | 60 minutes before departure |
These are hard deadlines — Frontier Airlines can give your seat to a standby traveler once the cutoff passes. Arrive with room to breathe, not at the last second.
Can I bring a carry-on on Frontier Airlines?
On Frontier Airlines's basic fare, a carry-on is not included — it costs varies (dynamic pricing — use Bag Price Checker at flyfrontier.com; price depends on route, travel date, and purchase timing). A personal item also runs free. Maximum carry-on size: 24 x 16 x 10 in, up to 35 lb.
Packing to a personal item only saves the fee and keeps your Leave-By Time shorter — no counter stop needed.
How much does Frontier Airlines charge for checked bags?
| Bag | Main cabin | Basic economy |
|---|---|---|
| 1st checked bag | varies (dynamic pricing — use Bag Price Checker at flyfrontier.com) | varies (dynamic pricing — use Bag Price Checker at flyfrontier.com) |
| 2nd checked bag | varies (dynamic pricing — use Bag Price Checker at flyfrontier.com) | varies (dynamic pricing — use Bag Price Checker at flyfrontier.com) |
Prices shown are for online prepayment. Paying at the airport or the gate runs higher. Baggage fees compared across every airline shows how Frontier Airlines stacks up against the rest.
How does a bag fee change my Leave-By Time?
Checking a bag adds 5 to 10 minutes at the counter — time in line, handing off the bag, collecting a receipt. That window sits between your arrival at the terminal and your walk to security, so it shifts your Leave-By Time at home earlier, not just your airport arrival.
Recompute your Leave-By Time with bag drop factored in — enter your flight, mark that you are checking a bag, and the calculator adds the counter time so you leave home with exact numbers, not a guess.
Things to know before you fly Frontier Airlines
- Frontier uses fully dynamic/variable bag pricing — no fixed carry-on or checked bag rates are published; prices vary by route, travel date, and how far in advance you purchase; buying bags during booking is always cheapest vs. at the airport.
- Check-in is currently only available via the Frontier mobile app (free); web check-in via browser costs up to $5/passenger per direction; airport agent assistance costs up to $25/passenger per direction.
- Overweight bag fee (51 to 99.99 lb) increased to $129/bag per direction for bookings made on or after April 4, 2026 (was $100); Economy bundle from $29 includes personal item and carry-on, avoiding separate bag purchase fees.
Related guides
Verified against Frontier Airlines's official site, . Sources: flyfrontier.com — check in; flyfrontier.com — bag options; flyfrontier.com — optional services.