Why Is Frontier Airlines So Cheap? What’s the Catch?

Whenever you look forward to seeing flight prices, you always see super-low fares offered by Frontier, and you probably think, “Why is Frontier Airlines so cheap?” You’re not alone! Many travelers wonder how they manage to sell tickets at such budget-friendly prices. It’s easy to be curious. Does it mean hidden fees? Or fewer services? 

You’ll learn how they keep costs down and pass the savings on. From baggage fees to seat selection, this post will explain how each choice impacts your final price. By the end, you’ll understand why Frontier’s flights are so affordable and how to make the most of their budget-friendly options.

The Secret to Frontier’s Cheap Flights: ULCC Model

The airline uses a unique plan called the Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier (ULCC) model. This plan helps them sell tickets for very cheap. You need to know how this plan works to see why their prices are so low. The section below will answer, Why Frontier Airlines is so cheap?

Key Features of the ULCC Model

To understand why ULCCs offer such low prices, you need to look at the factors that allow them to keep prices affordable.

Cutting Costs Everywhere

ULCC airlines look closely at everything they do to find ways to save money. They check how much fuel they use and how many people they hire. They keep their staff small. Also, they use computers and machines to do many jobs, which helps them pay less for workers.

Extra Fees

ULCC airlines use a simple trick: they charge you only for the seat. You pay extra for everything else. This includes bags, picking your seat, and even snacks. They make the ticket price very low. Then, they make more money when you buy the extras you want.

Flying More, Saving More

ULCCs fly their planes a lot, quickly get planes ready at airports, and schedule many flights daily. This helps them use each plane more. When planes fly more, the airline spreads out its costs. This makes each seat on the aircraft cost less.

Using the Same Aircraft

Frontier uses only Airbus planes. This choice helps them save money. When airlines fly just one or a few types of planes, they spend less on fixing them. They also train pilots and mechanics faster. Buying parts becomes cheaper, too. So, using only Airbus makes their work more manageable and less costly.

Direct Flights Only

ULCCs fly directly between cities. They skip big, busy airports. This saves time and money because you don’t have to connect to other flights. Also, they fly to smaller cities. This means fewer airlines compete, and ULCCs keep prices low.

How Do They Make Extra Money?

It makes a lot of money from things besides the ticket price. They charge you extra for bags, seats, early boarding, and snacks, which lets them sell the basic ticket for very little. They know they will make up the money and earn more from these extra fees.

Online Sales and Direct Distribution

They sell tickets online and skip travel agents. This saves them money, and they don’t pay commissions, which keeps ticket prices low.

How Frontier Uses the ULCC Model?

The airline shows you how this works. They work hard to cut costs and sell very cheap base tickets. Frontier also makes a lot of money from extra fees. If you understand how they do this, you can decide if their low prices suit you.

Unbundled Fares: Paying Only for What You Need 

This airline makes its tickets cheap by selling each part of your trip separately. If you want those extras, you pay more. That’s how it sells flights: you pay a small price for the seat, and then you pay extra for things like bags or picking your seat.

What Are Unbundled Fares?

Frontier doesn’t give you one hefty price for everything. They split the cost into small parts. You pay a tiny price just for your seat. Then, you choose and pay for anything else you want. This lets you make your trip just how you like it. But, watch out! You might pay extra if you’re not careful.

The Cost of Add-Ons

The airline charges you extra for almost everything. You pay if you bring a carry-on bag, and the price changes based on where you’re going and when you pay. They always charge for checked bags, and the more bags you have, the more you pay. If you want to pick your seat, that costs extra, too, especially if you want a good one. You pay for priority boarding if you’re going to get on the plane first. Also, you buy your snacks and drinks on the plane. They don’t give them to you for free.

The Savings from Separate Pricing

Frontier breaks down the price of your flight. This lets them show really cheap ticket prices. Many people like these low prices because they don’t need the extra stuff. The airline also makes more money when people pay for the add-ons they want.

Fee Structure: What You Might Pay Extra For

This airline sells cheap tickets but charges extra for almost everything else. You’ll pay more for bags, seats, and more. Look at all the fees you could face.

Baggage

You get one small bag for free. It must be 8 x 18 x 14 inches. 

• You pay extra if you want a larger bag to carry on. It can be 10 inches deep, 16 inches wide, and 24 inches tall, and weigh up to 35 pounds.
• For a checked bag, you also pay. It can be 62 inches total and weigh up to 40 pounds. Big checked bags cost $75 each way. Heavy checked bags cost extra, $75 or $100 each way. If you bring antlers or a bike, you pay $100 each way.

Booking

Frontier charges extra fees for many things. 

• You’ll pay $75 to change a name on your ticket. They add $15 for codeshare help. 
• If they handle a booking from another company, it’s $25 per person. 
• Talking to a chat agent to book costs $35. 
• Booking early sometimes adds $1 per person. 
• If you want to change your flight plans, it starts at $29.99. 
• Boarding first costs between $2.99 and $14.99. 
• Airport help you pay for ahead of time is up to $25. 
• Getting help at the airport costs up to $25. 
• Priority boarding is $0.99 to $9.99. 
• Bundling services starts at $29. 
• Checking in online can cost up to $5.

Discount Den

You pay $40 to join Discount Den. 

• Every year, you pay $59.99 to keep your membership. 
• If you want to change or cancel your flight, the price changes.

Basic Fare/Standard

You pay nothing if you change your flight more than 60 days before you fly. 

• Change it between 59 and 7 days before, and you pay $49. 
• Change it six days or less before, and you pay $99. 
• You don’t pay change fees if you buy a bundle (Economy, Premium, or Business) or Bizfare. 
• If you want to change to a different flight on the same day, you pay $99, unless you have a bundle or Bizfare. 
• To cancel a Basic or Standard fare, you pay $99. 
• Cancellation prices for other tickets are different.

Other Charges

The airline charges $99 to take your pet one way. 

• They might add up to $23 per person, per part of your flight, as a “Carrier Interface Charge.” 
• They also add $5 per person, per part of your flight, if you book online. 
• You buy snacks and drinks on the plane, starting at $3.50. 
• Passengers can buy a pass for up to $1,999 to fly as much as they want for a year.
• Choosing your seat costs extra, starting at $15 per person, per part of your flight.

Route Network and Destinations

Frontier Airlines picks where it flies. They don’t go to every city and use a plan to choose their destinations. This plan helps them keep ticket prices low.

Vacation Spots Frontier Flies To

Frontier chooses to fly to fun places. They go to beaches, parks, and popular vacation spots. They pick places where people want to relax, not big business cities. This helps them sell tickets to people who wish for cheap vacations.

Less Competitive Routes

It picks places to fly where few other airlines go. This lack of competition lets them sell tickets for less. They find routes that different airlines don’t think make enough money, giving them their special customers. 

Direct Routes, Lower Costs

This airline flies straight from one city to another and doesn’t make you change planes at big, busy airports. This saves you time because you don’t have to wait for connecting flights. It also saves the airline money and makes getting right where you’re going easier.

Route Changes: By Season

It changes where it flies based on the time of year. They add more flights to Florida when it’s winter. This helps them keep their planes flying as much as possible.

Influence on Pricing

The airline chooses vacation spots and places with fewer other airlines. This helps them spend less money to run their business. Because they pay less, they can sell cheaper tickets. But, this also means they might not go to all the places you want to travel.

What Travelers Should Know

First, make sure Frontier flies where you want to go. Then, remember that their flight times and places can change, especially based on the time of year. This airline could be a cheap choice if you visit somewhere few people visit.

The Budget Travel Reality

You pick Frontier Airlines when you want to fly cheap. But, like with anything cheap, you give up some things. You need to know what you’re giving up, so you don’t get surprised and like your trip.

What You Give Up for Lower Prices

The airline puts more plane seats to save money, so you get less legroom. They don’t give out free snacks or movies because they want to keep prices low and charge extra for bags and seat choices. Also, they might have more trouble fixing problems, which could mean delays or flight changes.

Getting Ready for Your Frontier Flight

You pay for a simple flight with Frontier. They give you a low price, but you give up fancy extras. Pack light, bring your food, and pick your seat early if you want it. Read their rules to avoid surprises. Don’t expect luxury; choose them for the cheapest flight if you’re okay with less comfort.

Positive Parts

They give you cheap tickets. This lets people on a tight budget travel. This airline also flies directly to some places, which is handy. If you pack light and skip the extras, you control how much you spend.

Saving Money and Avoiding Surprises: Tips!

Flying this airline can become a great way to save money, but it requires some planning. Know how to make the most of your budget travel:

• Pack Light- It charges you for most carry-on bags, so check their size rules closely. You can use a backpack under your seat to skip those fees. Weigh your bags at home to avoid extra costs at the airport. 
• Understand the Fee Structure- The airline changes its fees based on where you fly, when you book, and how you pay. Book bags and seats online; it’s usually cheaper than at the airport. 
• Seat Selection Strategy- You’ll pay more for a specific spot. If you don’t care where you sit, save money and skip picking a seat. This airline gives you less legroom than other airlines. Tall people pay for extra space. 
• In-Flight Comfort- You don’t get free movies or shows, so download your entertainment onto your phone or tablet. Buy snacks and drinks before you board, or bring an empty water bottle after security. 
• Airport and Boarding Tips- Reach the airport early! Budget airlines follow strict boarding times, so don’t risk missing your flight. Check in online and put your boarding pass on your phone to save time. 
• Customer Service Expectations- Don’t expect fancy service like on big airlines. You should fix minor problems yourself. 

Your Frontier Questions Answered!