There was a time when only the wealthy could afford air travel. Thanks to subsidies, improvements in airplane technology, and a wider variety of airlines to choose from, today flying is more affordable than ever. Lower-cost options such as Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines provide travelers with even more economical ways to fly.
Or do they?
A creator recently highlighted the expensive fees she says one of her fellow travelers was charged by Frontier Airlines. According to Yaris (@spontaneouslyyaris), the man paid $800 to check his bags on a $200 flight.
In her view, this is unacceptable.
“If you’re flying Frontier with all these damn bags, this is like you buying three more damn flights,” Yaris says in her TikTok. “One thing Frontier going to do is get your [expletive] for damn bags.”
In a caption on the post, Yaris adds, “Yall we need to do better @Frontier Airlines come on now.”
Her TikTok has generated discourse about baggage fees in general and how Frontier’s compares with other airlines’. It has over 140,000 views as of this writing.
A fee for every item
Baggage fees are a familiar irritant for anyone who flies commercial. It seems like every time you fly, airlines let you bring less into the cabin and charge more to check your bags.
These fees do serve a practical purpose: discouraging travelers from packing too much. Planes can only safely fly with so much weight. It also makes boarding and offboarding a bit faster if each traveler doesn’t bring their entire wardrobe on a flight.
But more and more people believe baggage fees are getting out of control. Today, some flights don’t even include a carry-on in the ticket price.
Critics say this is a sneaky way airlines reach deeper into our pockets to pad their own.
Are Frontier’s fees higher than other airlines?
Yaris suggests that Frontier Airlines charges more than others to check bags. Many who commented on her post disagree.
Many note that the man she films has what looks to be at least eight bags. Every airline is most likely going to charge fees for that much luggage.
Some believe that the fees could be even higher on other airlines. One wrote, “Delta would have charged over $1200 for that.”
Per NerdWallet, however, Frontier actually does charge the most on average for a checked bag. While most carriers charge between $35 and $40 for your first checked bag, Frontier charges an average of $54, it reports. It also doesn’t allow a free carry-on like many, though not all, other airlines include in the ticket price. So a carry-on will cost an additional $54 on Frontier, NerdWallet says.
Frontier Airlines says its fees vary depending on when you buy. The airline notes that “you can save a lot by purchasing your bags early.”
“Customers have a number of options when traveling with us,” Jennifer F. de la Cruz, Frontier Airlines’ senior director of corporate communications, told the Mary Sue via email. “They can purchase a bag and seat bundle, along with their airfare, and bags are included, ranging from a carry on, to a carry on plus up two checked bags, depending on the bundle purchased.”
De la Cruz noted that charging fees for additional bags “is standard across the airline industry.”
Many airlines also charge higher fees for every bag you check after the first one. Several, including Delta Airlines, reportedly charge $150 apiece for every luggage item after the second one.
Fees further depend on the size and weight of the luggage, with larger, heavier items costing more. This is standard throughout the industry.
So it is possible that the man could’ve been charged even more than $800 to bring eight pieces of luggage on another carrier.
Know before you fly
There are ways to reduce or avoid baggage fees. Experts recommend packing as light as possible, buying in advance, and weighing and measuring your luggage to minimize and anticipate fees.
You can also avoid fees entirely by using an airline’s credit card, buying a more expensive ticket, or being a member of various loyalty programs. In most cases, this will depend on how much luggage you bring and how large and heavy it is.
Although many openly despise baggage fees, people who commented on Yaris’ TikTok largely agree that the man knew he’d be paying a hefty fee for all those bags.
“He walked in there knowing this,” wrote one. “No airline would allow this many bags at no charge.”
Some suggested he may have saved money by shipping his luggage.
“Just send it via FedEx at that point,” wrote one.
@spontaneouslyyaris Yall we need to do better @Frontier Airlines come on now ?? #ftpシ #fypシ #frontierairlines ♬ original sound – ? Yaris ?
Yaris didn’t immediately respond to an inquiry sent via TikTok direct message.
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