Frontier Airlines Personal Item Size: Rules & Tips for 2025!

Before you start packing for your upcoming trip, make sure to know about the Frontier Airlines personal item size. This is super important because this airline has specific rules about what you can bring for free. Knowing these rules before you get to the airport can save you time, stress, and, most importantly, money! 

Nobody wants surprise baggage fees, right? This article will help you understand Frontier Airline personal item size rules and learn the basics of packing smart and travel lights. Forget the confusion, as this post will give you the straightforward information you need. You’ll know what counts as a personal item, what doesn’t, and how to increase your free baggage allowance. Get inside this post and make sure to execute your travel plans without any difficulty.

What is the Frontier Airlines Personal Item Size?

Frontier Airlines has a strict policy regarding personal item sizes, and it’s very important to understand these limits to avoid extra fees at the airport. 

• They allow one free personal item per passenger, and this item must fit completely within the sizer at the gate. No part of your bag can stick out. 
• The specific dimensions for your free personal item on this airline are 14 inches tall, 18 inches wide, and 8 inches long.
• The personal item includes handles, wheels, and any outside pockets. It’s not just the main compartment; the entire bag must conform to these measurements.

Frontier’s Personal Item Policy: What’s Allowed?

This airline lets you bring one personal item for free. Knowing what kind of bag counts as a personal item is crucial so you don’t have to pay extra fees. Your free personal item needs to fit perfectly inside the special measuring box (called a sizer) at the airport gate. The bag goes right under the seat in front of you on the plane.

Acceptable Personal Items

These bags usually count as personal items, but only if they are small enough. They must fit the size limits. If your bag is smaller than these measurements, it should qualify as a personal item. The bags include:

Purses	Briefcases
Totes	Small Backpacks
Laptop Bags	Diaper Bags

• Purses– Most standard handbags and shoulder bags count as personal items on Frontier. If your purse or shoulder bag is a regular size, it should be fine.
• Totes– Totes are simple fabric bags that don’t have zippers at the top. They’re open and easy to access, making them a popular choice for carrying everyday items.  
• Laptop Bags– Laptop bags are made just for carrying your laptop. They offer padding and protection for your device. So, if you’re traveling with your laptop, a laptop bag is a great way to keep it safe and organized.   
• Briefcases– These are professional bags. People use them to carry documents and other work things. 
• Small Backpacks– They can sometimes be personal items on Frontier, but it’s based on their size. Big backpacks count as carry-on bags, but smaller ones, especially those for kids, might be okay. 
• Diaper Bags—These bags are made to carry baby supplies and are usually accepted as personal items as long as they meet the size restrictions.

Items Not Allowed as Personal Items on Frontier

Now that you know what sort of items are allowed, it’s time to know what isn’t a personal item to avoid extra charges. A small bag isn’t always a personal item. Here’s a list of bags that don’t qualify:

Bags That Are Too Large

Personal item size for Frontier Airlines matters when it comes to Frontier’s personal item allowance. These bags are simply too big:

• Standard Backpacks-Most backpacks created for adults, especially hiking or backpacking packs, surpass the personal item size limit.
• Rolling Carry-on Suitcases– Even small rolling suitcases are considered carry-on baggage, not personal items.
• Large Duffel Bags– Duffel bags, especially those used for sports or travel, are usually too big.
• Overnight Bags– Those bags made for weekend trips often exceed the size rules for personal items.

Specific Items

Thinking of bringing these? Think again! These items aren’t personal items on Frontier.

• Musical Instruments—While small instruments might get accepted as personal items, most will need to be checked or carried on as a separate, paid item.
• Sports Equipment– Items like golf clubs, skis, or bats generally need to be checked.
• Large Umbrellas– Small, foldable umbrellas might be okay, but larger ones must be checked.

Frontier’s Baggage Fees: Oversized and Additional Items

It gives affordable base fares, but they charge extra for things like bags. It’s important to understand these baggage fees so you aren’t surprised at the airport. Check out their charges for bags that are too big or extra bags:

Baggage Type	Weight	Size (In)	Fees
Oversized Checked Bag	Up to 40 lbs (18.1 kg)	63-110	$75 (Non-Refundable)
	41-50 lbs (18.6-22.7 kg)	Up to 62	$75 (Non-Refundable)
	51-100 lbs (23.1-45.4 kg)	Up to 62	$100 (Non-Refundable)

Oversized Personal Items

You get one free personal item with your ticket. This bag must be no bigger than 8 inches deep, 18 inches wide, and 14 inches high, including handles, wheels, and straps. Frontier checks personal item sizes during your boarding process at the Frontier Airlines Terminals. If your bag is too big, they’ll charge you extra.

Carry-On Baggage Fees

Frontier charges for carry-on bags. Your carry-on bag can’t be bigger than 10 inches deep, 16 inches wide, and 24 inches high and it can’t weigh more than 35 pounds. When you board the plane, Frontier will check the size of your free personal item. 

Checked Baggage Fees

You can find the price using their Bag Price Checker. Checked bags can be up to 62 linear inches and weigh up to 40 pounds. Bags over 62 inches are oversized and cost $75. Bags over 110 linear inches won’t be accepted. Overweight bags cost extra, too. Bags weighing 41-50 pounds cost $75, and bags weighing 51-100 pounds cost $100.  Bags over 100 pounds aren’t allowed. They also charge $100 for antlers and $75 for bicycles. All these fees are non-refundable.

Increase Your Frontier Personal Item Space

Packing light with only a personal item on Frontier Airlines saves you money and makes travel easier. Have a look at some of the helpful tips to fit more into your personal item and pack smartly.

Plan Your Outfits

Build a capsule wardrobe by picking clothes that mix and match easily. Prepare your outfits daily, thinking about what you’ll be doing, and only pack what you need. Shoes take up tons of space, so limit yourself to two or three pairs that will work with lots of different outfits.

Packing Techniques

Rolling your clothes saves space and helps keep them wrinkle-free. Packing cubes compress your clothes and keep everything organized. They also make it easy to find things without emptying your whole bag. Use every bit of space by filling empty spots with small items like socks, underwear, or toiletries. For bulky things like sweaters, vacuum-sealed bags can make them much smaller.

Choose the Right Bag

Soft-sided bags work best because they’re flexible and fit easily in the size checker. Always measure your bag before you travel to make sure it meets the airline’s size rules. Bags with different sections help you stay organized and use all your space.

What to Leave Behind?

For toiletries, buy small travel sizes or refillable bottles to save space and weight. If you can, leave heavy electronics at home. Get rid of anything you don’t really need.

Smart Packing Strategies

On the plane, wear your heaviest clothes, like bulky shoes, jackets, or sweaters. This frees up space in your bag. Use travel-sized versions of everything, from toothpaste to shampoo.  Packing items standing up instead of flat gives you more room.

Keep It Organized! 

Keep similar things together, like socks with socks and shirts with shirts. This makes it easy to find what you need. Small pouches also help you organize jewelry, chargers, or medicine.

Review and Refine

Before your trip, do a practice check. Pack your bag and check if it fits in the size checker. If it doesn’t, remove some things you don’t really need.

Frontier Airlines: Personal Items for Children

Traveling with kids is pretty exciting but it also means thinking about more bags. Knowing Frontier’s rules for children’s personal items makes family trips more manageable.

General Rule

Kids, just like grown-ups, get one free personal item on Frontier. This is true for all kids, even babies. Their personal items must also fit within the same Frontier Airlines personal item bag size limits (14 inches tall, 18 inches wide, and 8 inches long).

What Qualifies as a Child’s Personal Item?

Small backpacks usually work well for kids’ personal items on this airline. These backpacks need to fit easily under the seat. Small duffel bags or totes can also work, but they must meet the Frontier Airlines size of personal item rules.

Infants and Personal Items

Babies can also bring a personal item on the plane. Diaper bags usually work well for this, but they must meet the size rules. The diaper bag needs to fit inside the size checker; it can’t be added to your personal bag.

Car Seats and Strollers

Car seats and strollers have special rules on Frontier. They get checked for free, but the rules can change. Car seats and strollers usually don’t count as personal items for you or your child.

Commonly Asked Questions