Spirit vs Frontier: Which Is Better?

The Quick Answer

Spirit edges out Frontier for most travelers thanks to slightly better seat comfort and a more straightforward fee structure. But Frontier's bundle deals can save you more if you plan ahead. Neither airline is going to blow you away with service, so the real question is which one will cost you less after all the add-on fees.

The Big Picture: Two Very Similar Airlines

Spirit and Frontier operate on the same ultra-low-cost model. The base fare looks absurdly cheap because it includes almost nothing. No carry-on bag. No seat selection. No snacks. Everything beyond your personal item costs extra.

The trick with both airlines is that the final price often ends up close to what you'd pay on a legacy carrier once you add bags and seat selection. The travelers who actually save money are the ones who can travel with just a personal item and don't care where they sit.

Baggage Fees: Where the Real Battle Happens

Spirit Airlines Baggage Fees

• Personal item: Free (must fit under the seat, 18 x 14 x 8 inches max)
• Carry-on bag: $37 at booking, $45 at online check-in, $55 at airport, $65 at the gate
• First checked bag: Varies by route, typically $30-$55 at booking
• Gate bag fees: Up to $99 if you show up with an unplanned bag
• Overweight bag (over 50 lbs): $125 per bag

Frontier Airlines Baggage Fees

• Personal item: Free (similar size restrictions to Spirit)
• Carry-on bag: $29-$69 at booking, up to $99-$115 at the gate
• First checked bag: $53-$63 at booking, up to $99-$117 at the gate
• Overweight bag (41-50 lbs): $75 per bag
• Overweight bag (51-99 lbs): $100 per bag

The verdict: Frontier can be cheaper for carry-on bags when booked early. Spirit tends to be more reasonable for checked bags. Both punish you severely if you wait to pay at the gate.

Seat Comfort and Legroom

Don't expect luxury from either airline. Both use tight configurations to pack in more passengers. That said, Spirit's seats are slightly wider and offer marginally more legroom than Frontier on most aircraft.

Neither airline offers seatback entertainment screens. You're on your own for entertainment. Bring your phone, download some shows, and charge up before you board because power outlets aren't guaranteed.

Spirit does offer "Big Front Seats" in the first two rows with significantly more legroom and wider seats. These typically cost $25-$175 extra depending on the route and work well for longer flights. Frontier doesn't have a comparable premium economy-style product.

Route Networks

Spirit historically had the larger domestic network, but the airline has been scaling back significantly during its bankruptcy restructuring. Spirit filed for Chapter 11 twice and is operating with a reduced fleet of around 76 aircraft. That means fewer routes and frequencies than before.

Frontier has been expanding aggressively, adding routes to smaller cities and leisure destinations. If you're flying from a mid-size airport, Frontier may now have more options available to you.

Both airlines focus on leisure routes. You'll find them flying to Florida, Las Vegas, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Neither is a great option for business travel or connecting through hubs.

Bundle Deals

This is where Frontier pulls ahead. Frontier's bundle packages can save real money:

• The PERKS ($69): Includes carry-on and checked bag
• The WORKS ($99): Includes carry-on, checked bag, seat selection, priority boarding, and flexibility to change flights

Spirit offers bundles too, but Frontier's tend to be more aggressive on pricing. If you know you'll need a carry-on and checked bag, Frontier's bundles often beat buying everything a la carte on either airline.

Reliability and On-Time Performance

Neither airline is known for reliability, but this is where Spirit has really struggled. The combination of bankruptcy, fleet reductions, and operational challenges has made Spirit less predictable. Cancellations and delays have been more frequent, especially during irregular operations like weather events.

Frontier isn't stellar either, but it's been the more stable of the two recently. Neither airline handles disruptions as well as legacy carriers. If your flight gets canceled, rebooking options are limited because both airlines fly fewer frequencies.

Loyalty Programs

Spirit's Free Spirit program and Frontier's FRONTIER Miles program both let you earn points on flights. Neither is particularly generous.

Frontier has one edge: its branded credit card occasionally offers better sign-up bonuses, and elite status members get perks like free carry-on bags and seat selection. Spirit's loyalty program has been in flux during the bankruptcy process.

Honestly, if you're trying to maximize loyalty program value, neither of these airlines is the right play. Book whichever is cheaper for your specific route.

Customer Service

Both airlines have reputations for difficult customer service experiences. Hold times can be long, chat support is limited, and refund processes can be frustrating. This comes with the territory of ultra-low-cost flying.

If something goes wrong, you'll generally have an easier time resolving issues at the airport than over the phone with either carrier. Neither airline staffs customer service the way legacy carriers do, so set your expectations accordingly.

The Hidden Cost Trap

Here's what catches most first-time ultra-low-cost flyers off guard. You see a $49 fare and think you've found a deal. Then you add a carry-on ($37-$69), seat selection ($12-$25), and maybe a checked bag ($30-$63). Suddenly that $49 fare is $130 or more.

Before booking either airline, do this: search the same route on Southwest, Delta, or American. Compare the total price including bags. You'll be surprised how often a legacy carrier's fare with included amenities costs the same or less than Spirit or Frontier after fees.

The travelers who genuinely save money on these airlines are the ones who bring only a personal item, skip seat selection, bring their own snacks, and don't mind the bare-bones experience. If that's you, Spirit and Frontier can save you serious cash. If you need bags and comfort, run the numbers carefully.

Boarding and Airport Experience

Both airlines board in zones, with priority given to passengers who pay extra or hold elite status. Gate areas can feel chaotic, especially on full flights where overhead bin space is limited to passengers who've paid for carry-ons.

Neither airline has airport lounges. The gate experience is what it is: plastic chairs and announcements about bag fees. Spirit tends to have clearer signage about bag sizing at the gate, while Frontier's gate agents can be more aggressive about enforcing personal item dimensions.

One practical tip: arrive early. Both airlines will close the gate promptly, and if you're running late, don't expect much sympathy. Rebooking on either carrier can mean waiting hours or even until the next day if there's only one daily frequency on your route.

Spirit's Bankruptcy: Should You Be Worried?

Spirit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2024, emerged briefly in early 2025, then filed again in August 2025. The airline has reached a deal with creditors to emerge from bankruptcy and plans to continue operating with a smaller fleet.

Should you book Spirit? The airline is still flying and honoring tickets. But the reduced route network and ongoing restructuring mean fewer options and potentially less reliability. If Spirit has the cheapest fare on your route, it's probably fine. But don't buy tickets months in advance without trip protection.

When to Choose Spirit

• You want the Big Front Seat option for a pseudo-premium experience
• Spirit has a direct route on your specific city pair
• You're traveling with just a personal item
• The base fare is significantly cheaper than Frontier

When to Choose Frontier

• You need bags and want to buy The WORKS or The PERKS bundle
• Frontier has better route availability from your home airport
• You value slightly more operational stability right now
• You want to use their credit card for ongoing perks

The Bottom Line

For personal-item-only travel, book whichever has the cheaper base fare. For trips where you need bags, run the numbers with Frontier's bundles versus Spirit's a la carte pricing. Spirit's Big Front Seats are a genuine differentiator if you want extra comfort. But Frontier is the safer operational bet during Spirit's ongoing restructuring.

The honest truth? Neither airline is "good" in the traditional sense. They're transportation. Pick the one that gets you there for less money on the specific date you need to fly.