---
type: Airline Policy
title: Frontier Airlines — Child & Family Travel Policy
description: "Independent family travel guide summarizing Frontier Airlines' published infant, stroller, boarding and baggage policies for parents flying with kids."
resource: https://www.velivolotravel.com/airlines-child-policy/frontier-airlines/
tags: [airline, policy, us-other, iata-f9]
timestamp: 2026-06-03
---
# Flying Frontier Airlines with Kids: UM Policy, Carry-On Fees & Family Boarding

**Quick Answer**: Per Frontier Airlines' published policy, the airline does not transport unaccompanied minors under age 15; lap infants fly free and family boarding is DOT-committed for ages 14 and under.

**TL;DR**: Per Frontier Airlines' published policy, lap infants under 24 months fly free on domestic and Mexico/Caribbean routes, strollers and car seats are checked free with jet-bridge return on the all-A320 fleet, and family boarding is backed by a DOT adjacency commitment for children 14 and under. Per Frontier Airlines' published policy, the carrier does not transport unaccompanied minors under age 15 — a policy shared with Allegiant and Avelo but not Spirit. Carry-on fees of USD 30-95 are the highest among ULCCs and materially affect family-of-four costs.

## At a Glance
- **Lap Infant**: Free (US + Mexico/Caribbean) — Under 24 months, phone add required
- **Family Boarding**: Yes — DOT ✅ ages ≤14 — Before general zones; fee-free adjacency committed
- **Stroller Check**: Free — Gate or counter; jet-bridge return
- **Car Seat Check**: Free — FAA sticker required for in-cabin use
- **UM Service**: Not offered under 15 — Under-15 travel alone is not permitted

## Quick Facts
- Per Frontier Airlines' published policy, lap infants under 24 months travel free on domestic and Mexico/Caribbean international routes.
- Frontier is on the US DOT Family-Seating Dashboard's commitment list, meaning children ≤14 are entitled to fee-free adjacent seating on eligible fares.
- Per Frontier Airlines' published policy, the airline does not transport unaccompanied minors under age 15 — children 15–17 fly as standard adults with no escort.
- Per Frontier Airlines' published fee schedule, carry-on bag fees range USD 30–95, the highest in the US ULCC cluster.
- Strollers and car seats are accepted free at the gate or ticket counter on all Frontier routes, with jet-bridge return on the all-A320-family fleet.

## Velivolo Family Score: 5.3/10 — Decent
- **Lap Infant Cost** (8/10): Free on domestic and international (Mexico/Caribbean) routes.
- **Family Boarding** (7/10): DOT Dashboard ✅ committed for children ≤14 fee-free adjacent seating.
- **Stroller & Car Seat** (7/10): Free gate or counter check; all-A320 family fleet returns at jet bridge.
- **Bassinet & Onboard Amenities** (1/10): No bassinets offered on any aircraft; all-A320-family narrow-body fleet.
- **Unaccompanied Minor Service** (1/10): NOT offered — Per Frontier Airlines' published policy, frontier does not transport children under 15 traveling alone.
- **Baggage for Kids** (4/10): Paid carry-on USD 30–95 (highest in ULCC cluster) + paid personal item on certain fares.

## Lap Infant
- **Cost (Domestic)**: Free
- **Cost (International)**: Free (Mexico and Caribbean routes)
- **Age Limit**: Under 24 months at time of travel
- **Documents**: Birth certificate (domestic), Passport (international routes to Mexico/Caribbean), Any government-issued proof of age if birth certificate unavailable

Per Frontier Airlines' published policy, infants under 24 months at the time of travel may fly on a parent's lap without a base fare on both US domestic and international routes to Mexico and the Caribbean. Adding a lap infant to a Frontier booking requires a phone call — online self-service is not supported.

**Source**: https://www.flyfrontier.com/travel/travel-info/family/

## Family Boarding
- **Available**: Yes
- **Boarding Zone**: Before general boarding zones; after elite/priority groups
- **Age Eligibility**: Children age 14 and under (per DOT commitment)

Per Frontier Airlines' published policy, families with young children are called to board before the general boarding zones begin. Frontier is on the US DOT Family-Seating Dashboard's commitment list, covering children ≤14 for fee-free adjacent seating on eligible fares.

## Stroller & Car Seat
Per Frontier Airlines' published policy, strollers and car seats are accepted free at the gate or ticket counter. The all-A320/A321/A321neo fleet provides jet-bridge return at most stations, so strollers are typically waiting at the aircraft door upon arrival.

- **Standard Stroller** — Fee: Free, Check at: Gate or ticket counter, Size: No published size restriction. Includes umbrella, full-size, and jogging strollers; gate-checked strollers return at the jet bridge on A320-family aircraft.
- **Car Seat (Infant / Convertible)** — Fee: Free, Check at: Gate or ticket counter, Size: FAA-approved sticker required for in-cabin use. One car seat checked free per fare-paying child; FAA-approved car seats may be used in-cabin with a paid seat.
- **Booster Seat** — Fee: Free, Check at: Gate or ticket counter, Size: No published size restriction. Treated as child safety equipment — checked free; note that backless booster seats without harnesses are NOT FAA-approved for in-cabin use.
- **Pack-and-Play / Travel Crib** — Fee: Counts as checked baggage, Check at: Ticket counter, Size: Standard checked-bag dimensions apply. Subject to standard Frontier checked-bag fees; not included in the free stroller/car-seat allowance.

## Baggage by Age
- **Lap Infant (Under 2)** — Carry-on: None — shares parent's allowance only; Checked: None included; Personal: Diaper bag generally exempt (confirm at booking). No base fare and no individual baggage allowance; diaper bag exemption applies per family travel policy.
- **Infant with Paid Seat (Under 2)** — Carry-on: Same as adult fare class — carry-on fee USD 30–95 may apply; Checked: Same as adult fare class; Personal: 1 personal item; fee may apply on certain fares. Purchasing a seat for in-cabin car-seat use grants full adult baggage rights under the same fare class.
- **Child 2+ (Full Fare Passenger)** — Carry-on: Carry-on fee USD 30–95 applies — same as adult; Checked: Standard checked-bag fees apply; Personal: 1 personal item; fee may apply on certain fares. All passengers 2+ pay full adult fare; no child baggage discount exists on Frontier.

## Bassinet & Onboard
- **Bassinet Available**: No




Per Frontier Airlines' published information, no bassinet or sky-cot service is available on any Frontier flight. The all-A320-family narrow-body fleet has no bulkhead bassinet attachment points. Parents traveling with infants should plan for lap-holding or bring a FAA-approved car seat in a purchased seat.

## Child Fare
- **No child discount**

Per Frontier Airlines' published policy, all passengers age 2 and older are charged the full adult base fare, identical to standard US ULCC practice across Spirit, Allegiant, Sun Country, and Avelo. There is no children's discount program, no age-based fare reduction, and no promotional kids-fly-free offering on standard one-way or round-trip bookings. The sole family-fare benefit is the free lap-infant policy for children under 24 months. When budgeting for a family of four including children ages 2 and up, plan for full adult-fare costs for every ticketed child. Always verify the total at booking on flyfrontier.com before purchasing.

## Unaccompanied Minor
- **Available**: No


Per Frontier Airlines' published policy, the airline does not transport unaccompanied minors under age 15. Children under 15 must be accompanied by a responsible adult on every Frontier flight. Children ages 15–17 fly as standard adult passengers with no escort, no gate-pass, and no UM program.

## Industry Comparison
### How Frontier compares to other airlines on family travel policies

Frontier occupies a mid-position within the US ULCC cluster and a below-average position across the full 28-airline set reviewed for this guide. Its overall family score of 5.3 (Decent) reflects one strong dimension — DOT Family-Seating Dashboard compliance for ages ≤14 — offset by the highest carry-on fees in the ULCC segment and the hard no-UM-under-15 restriction.

Within the ULCC cluster, Spirit Airlines leads with a score of 5.6, the segment's best. Per Frontier Airlines' published policy, spirit matches Frontier on the DOT commitment but uniquely offers unaccompanied minor service for ages 5–14 at USD 150 each way — a program the airline does not provide at any price. Allegiant Air (5.2) and Avelo Airlines (5.2) share Frontier's no-UM policy but are not on the DOT commitment list, making Frontier superior to both on seat-adjacency protection. Southwest Airlines (6.3), operating from Frontier's Denver hub, significantly outperforms on baggage — Southwest's 2 free checked bags for every passenger versus Frontier's paid carry-on structure of USD 30–95 (the highest in the cluster, compared to Spirit's USD 26–79).

Against global benchmarks the gap widens further. Singapore Airlines and Emirates auto-allocate bassinets and offer kids' meal programs, children's amenity kits, and dedicated in-flight entertainment for children — none of which exist on Frontier's all-A320-family fleet. Lufthansa similarly provides reservable bassinets on long-haul widebodies.

For parents, the practical verdict: Frontier is a viable short-haul option for families flying with infants and toddlers who don't need stroller or car-seat fees, and who qualify for DOT-backed adjacency. It is not suitable when a child under 15 needs to travel alone — and the carry-on fee structure demands careful budgeting for any family bringing more than a personal item per traveler. Verify current policies at flyfrontier.com.

## Family Pros & Cons
**Pros:**
- Lap infants fly free on all domestic and Mexico/Caribbean routes — no base fare or infant surcharge
- Strollers and car seats checked free at gate or counter with jet-bridge return on the all-A320 fleet
- DOT Family-Seating Dashboard ✅ commitment for children ≤14 fee-free adjacent seating — regulator-backed
- All-A320/A321/A321neo fleet means no regional-jet carousel exceptions for stroller returns
- Family pre-boarding called before general zones on every Frontier flight

**Cons:**
- Per Frontier Airlines' published policy, frontier does not transport unaccompanied minors under age 15 — one of only three US carriers with this restriction
- Paid carry-on fees of USD 30–95 are the highest in the ULCC cluster — a significant cost for families with gear
- Personal item fees apply on certain Frontier fares, adding further cost complexity
- No bassinets, no in-flight entertainment, no Wi-Fi, and no kids' meal program on any aircraft
- Lap-infant booking requires a phone call — online addition is not supported

## Parent Tips
- **Verify UM policy before booking**: Per Frontier Airlines' published policy, children under 15 cannot travel alone on any Frontier flight. If your child needs to travel unaccompanied, Spirit Airlines accepts UM ages 5–14 at USD 150 each way and is on the DOT commitment list — book Spirit for solo-child travel rather than Frontier. Always verify current policies directly at spirit.com before booking.
- **Book carry-on bags early to minimize fees**: Per Frontier Airlines' published fee schedule, carry-on fees of USD 30–95 are lowest when purchased at booking online and highest when paid at the gate. For a family of four, purchasing carry-ons early at booking versus at the gate can save USD 100 or more per direction. Budget this into your total trip cost before comparing to other carriers.
- **Tag strollers at the counter, not the gate**: Tag your stroller and car seat at the ticket counter during check-in rather than at the gate. Counter agents process more child-gear items daily and gate lines can create last-minute stress. Your tagged items will still return at the jet bridge on arrival — A320-family aircraft consistently return gate-checked items there at most Frontier stations.
- **Pre-load all entertainment before departure**: Frontier aircraft have no seat-back screens, no streaming, and no Wi-Fi on any route. Download movies, shows, and kids' apps to a tablet before leaving home. Bring a fully charged portable battery pack — in-seat power is not available on most Frontier aircraft — and child-size headphones to avoid cabin noise issues on longer flights.

## FAQ
### Are infants charged a fare on Frontier Airlines?

Per Frontier Airlines' published policy, infants under 24 months at the time of travel may fly as lap infants without a base fare on both US domestic and international routes to Mexico and the Caribbean. There is no infant surcharge or tax added on these routes. The lap-infant add must be completed by phone — Frontier's online booking system does not support online infant addition. Visit the airline's official website after booking your adult fare to attach the infant. If your infant turns 24 months during a round-trip, the return leg requires a paid seat at the full adult fare. Always verify current policy at flyfrontier.com before booking.

### Does my infant need their own seat on Frontier Airlines?

Per Frontier Airlines' published policy, infants under 24 months may travel on a parent's lap without a paid seat on domestic and Mexico/Caribbean routes. A separate seat is not required for a lap infant. However, the FAA strongly recommends that all children under 40 pounds fly in a child restraint system (CRS) secured in their own seat for the highest level of safety in turbulence and emergency scenarios. Per Frontier Airlines' published policy, if you choose to purchase a seat for your infant to use an FAA-approved car seat, the airline charges the full adult fare — there is no infant seat discount. The car seat must display an FAA-approved sticker to be used in-cabin. Always confirm current policy at flyfrontier.com.

### Can I reserve a bassinet on Frontier Airlines?

According to Frontier Airlines' published information, no bassinet or sky-cot service is available on any Frontier flight. The carrier operates an all-A320-family fleet — A320, A321, and A321neo narrow-body aircraft — which have no bulkhead bassinet attachment points on any aircraft configuration. This applies to every Frontier route, including longer domestic sectors. Parents traveling with infants who require bassinet service must choose a different carrier. Full-service international carriers such as Singapore Airlines, Emirates, and Lufthansa offer reservable bassinets on long-haul flights. For US domestic travel, no US carrier offers bassinets on narrow-body aircraft. Plan for lap-holding or bring a soft carrier for in-flight use on Frontier.

### What is the child baggage allowance on Frontier Airlines?

Per Frontier Airlines' published fee schedule, there is no child baggage discount — every passenger age 2 and older is charged adult-equivalent baggage fees. Carry-on bags are subject to fees of USD 30–95 depending on route, timing of purchase, and fare type — the highest published carry-on range in the US ULCC cluster. Personal item fees may also apply on certain Frontier fares. Lap infants under 24 months receive no individual baggage allowance; a diaper bag is generally exempt per Frontier's family travel policy, but parents should confirm the exemption when adding the infant by phone. To minimize fees, purchase carry-on bags at the time of online booking rather than at check-in or the gate. Always verify current fees at flyfrontier.com before booking.

### What are Frontier Airlines' unaccompanied minor rules?

Per Frontier Airlines' published policy, the airline does not transport unaccompanied minors under age 15. Children under 15 must be accompanied by a responsible adult on every Frontier flight — there is no unaccompanied minor program, no escort service, and no gate-pass for accompanying adults for this age group. This restriction is absolute and applies to all Frontier routes, including direct flights. Children ages 15–17 may fly as standard adult passengers with no escort or supervision. If your child is under 15 and needs to travel alone, Spirit Airlines offers UM service for ages 5–14 at USD 150 each way on non-stop flights. Always verify current policies at spirit.com or flyfrontier.com before booking.

### Does Frontier Airlines have family boarding?

Per Frontier Airlines' published policy, families with young children are called to board before the general boarding zones begin. Frontier is included on the US DOT Family-Seating Dashboard's commitment list for children age 14 and under, meaning the airline has committed to fee-free adjacent seating for children ≤14 on eligible fares. This DOT commitment puts Frontier ahead of Allegiant Air and Sun Country Airlines, which are not on the commitment list. The family pre-boarding benefit itself does not guarantee a specific seat configuration — families who want a particular row or window seat should pay for seat selection at the time of booking. Verify your fare class eligibility for the DOT adjacency commitment on flyfrontier.com.

### Is Frontier Airlines on the DOT Family Seating Dashboard?

Yes. Per the US Department of Transportation's published Family-Seating Dashboard (updated April 2024 and maintained at transportation.gov), Frontier Airlines is on the commitment list for children age 14 and under receiving fee-free adjacent seating with a parent or guardian on qualifying fare types. This places Frontier in the same regulatory tier as Spirit Airlines within the ULCC cluster — above Allegiant Air, Sun Country Airlines, and Avelo Airlines, which are not on the DOT commitment list. The DOT dashboard does not apply to all fare classes — verify eligibility for your specific Frontier fare at the time of booking. For the most current dashboard status, check transportation.gov/airconsumer/family-seating-dashboard directly.

### How much does Frontier charge for carry-on bags for families?

Per Frontier Airlines' published fee schedule, carry-on bag fees range from USD 30 to USD 95 per bag depending on route, fare type, and when the fee is paid. Carry-ons purchased at the time of online booking are typically the cheapest option; fees rise at check-in and are highest at the gate. For a family of four each bringing one carry-on, this can add USD 120 to USD 380 per direction to the total trip cost — a material amount relative to the base fare. Personal item fees may also apply on certain Frontier fare types. Lap infants under 24 months do not receive a carry-on allowance. To minimize costs, purchase all carry-on bags at booking and compare the total cost against carriers with included carry-ons such as Southwest Airlines, which includes 2 free checked bags for all passengers. Verify current Frontier fees at flyfrontier.com.

### Are strollers free to gate-check on Frontier Airlines?

Per Frontier Airlines' published policy, strollers are accepted free of charge at the gate or ticket counter on every Frontier flight. One stroller per fare-paying passenger may be gate-checked or counter-checked without a fee. Frontier's all-A320/A321/A321neo fleet provides jet-bridge return at most stations, meaning strollers are typically waiting at the aircraft door when you deplane — a structural advantage compared to carriers operating regional jets, where strollers frequently go to baggage carousel. To gate-check, obtain a tag from the ticket counter at check-in, walk the stroller through security, and hand it to the gate agent at the jet bridge before boarding. Pick up the stroller at the jet bridge on arrival. Always verify procedures for your specific station at flyfrontier.com.

### Can a 12-year-old fly alone on Frontier Airlines?

According to Frontier Airlines' published policy, children under age 15 are not permitted to travel unaccompanied on any Frontier flight under any circumstances. This means a 12-year-old cannot fly alone on Frontier — there is no exception, no UM service available at any price, and no escort program for this age group. This is a hard policy restriction shared with Allegiant Air and Avelo Airlines, but not with Spirit Airlines (which accepts UM ages 5–14) or Southwest Airlines (which accepts UM ages 5–11). If your 12-year-old needs to travel alone, Spirit Airlines offers unaccompanied minor service at USD 150 each way on non-stop flights. Verify current policies at spirit.com or southwest.com before booking.

### Does Frontier Airlines have a 2026 fleet expansion that affects family policies?

According to Frontier Airlines' published information, the carrier's fleet reached approximately 155 aircraft in 2026 and continues expansion with Airbus A321neo deliveries. The A321neo is part of Frontier's existing A320-family fleet profile and does not introduce any new family-facing policy changes — no bassinets, no in-flight entertainment, and no children's amenity programs are part of the A321neo configuration on Frontier. Family policies, including the no-UM-under-15 restriction, the DOT adjacency commitment for ages ≤14, and the free lap-infant policy, remained unchanged through the airline's recent restructuring period. Parents should verify current policies at flyfrontier.com before booking, as fleet additions may alter route coverage and boarding procedures at specific stations.

### Is the diaper bag free on Frontier Airlines?

Per Frontier Airlines' published family travel policy, a diaper bag carried for an infant or young child is generally treated as exempt from the carry-on fee and does not count as your standard personal item or carry-on allowance. This is a meaningful benefit given Frontier's carry-on fees of USD 30–95 per bag. However, Frontier's fee structure is complex and enforcement can vary — parents should explicitly confirm the diaper bag exemption with the Frontier agent when calling to add a lap infant to the booking. Bring documentation such as the family travel policy URL at flyfrontier.com if there is any ambiguity at the airport. Note that the exemption applies to a diaper bag used for the traveling infant, not general luggage repackaged in a diaper-bag shape.

## Related Airlines
- [Spirit Airlines](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/airlines/spirit-airlines.md) (family score 5.6/10) — The only US ULCC with both DOT commitment ✅ and UM service for ages 5–14 — the key differentiator from Frontier.
- [Allegiant Air](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/airlines/allegiant-air.md) (family score 5.2/10) — ULCC peer also without UM service under 15, but NOT on the DOT Family-Seating Dashboard commitment list.
- [Southwest Airlines](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/airlines/southwest-airlines.md) (family score 6.3/10) — Frontier's Denver hub rival — 2 free checked bags, UM for ages 5–11, and DOT commitment for all passengers.
- [Aeromexico](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/airlines/aeromexico.md) (family score 6.2/10) — Cross-region alternative for Mexico routes — richer onboard family amenities than any US ULCC.

## Related Concepts
- [Back to Airlines Catalog](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/airlines/index.md)
- [Flying with a Baby item × airline guides](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/flying-with-a-baby/index.md)

## Sources
- [Frontier Airlines — Family Travel Information (2026): Official lap-infant, stroller, car seat, family boarding, and UM policies](https://www.flyfrontier.com/travel/travel-info/family/)
- [Frontier Airlines — Baggage Policy (2026): Carry-on, personal item, and checked-bag fee schedule](https://www.flyfrontier.com/travel/baggage/)
- [US DOT Family-Seating Dashboard (2024): Regulator-maintained list of airlines committed to fee-free adjacent family seating](https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/family-seating-dashboard)
- [FAA — Flying with Children (2026): FAA child restraint system requirements and in-flight safety guidance](https://www.faa.gov/travelers/fly_children)
- [TSA — Traveling with Children (2026): TSA security procedures for families, strollers, formula, and baby food](https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures/traveling-children)

**Last Updated**: 2026-06-03
**Author**: Lia Tuso — Founder & CPST