Traveling on Frontier Airlines required many sacrifices, but the flight was smooth.
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As a first-time flyer on Frontier Airlines, I was hesitant but hopeful.
The flight to New Jersey was affordable and better than expected, but the seating was uncomfortable.
Frontier is a decent, budget-friendly option for short trips when saving money is a priority.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. In this economy, my desperation to get from Georgia to New Jersey on a budget led me to Frontier Airlines — and I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome.
Frontier has been ranked at the bottom of many lists in terms of comfort. On the other hand, and much to my surprise, WalletHub listed it as the second-safest airline of 2025. With all of the mixed reviews online, I asked the people closest to me about their personal experience before booking my first Frontier flight.
My sister, who primarily flies Delta, took a Frontier flight to Jamaica earlier this year. It was her first time flying with the airline, and she said the seats were small and uncomfortable; however, it was one of the smoothest flights she's been on in a while. I also asked my editorial director about her Frontier experience, and she didn't have anything overwhelmingly negative to add.
With those two insights, I booked a $112 round-trip ticket from Atlanta to Newark Liberty International Airport. I wouldn't choose Frontier over my go-to airline again, but now that I've experienced it for myself, it's an OK last resort when all else fails, and money is tight.
The basic round-trip ticket from Atlanta to Newark was the best deal I could find.
Frontier Airlines screenshot.
I found my ticket on Google after searching for cheap flights from Atlanta to New York. The $100 deal caught my attention, and I immediately went to Frontier's website to complete my last-minute booking.
However, when I got to the site, reality hit — this wasn't going to be my usual flying experience.
I quickly realized the ticket wasn't a deal; it was a compromise.
Frontier Airlines screenshot.
As soon as I got on Frontier's webpage, I was bombarded with options to add-on things that I considered basic amenities.
Bringing a carry-on bag costs extra. Choosing an assigned seat costs extra. Even getting a boarding pass from the ticket counter was going to run me an extra $20 each way.
Of course, these were just options. If I wanted to fly cheap, all I had to do was decline the offers.
The bundle package almost convinced me to upgrade until I read the fine print.
Frontier Airlines screenshot
Once I learned that bringing a carry-on bag would cost an extra $120, I considered purchasing the bundle package.
For that same $120, Frontier would've allowed me a personal item, carry-on bag, priority boarding, and the option to choose my own seat. That addition would've brought my total ticket to $220, which was about what I would've spent if I booked a Delta flight with my SkyMiles.
A standard seat and a personal item were good enough for me.
Manseen Logan/BI
I had to remind myself that I was purchasing my ticket for the price, not the comfort. Ultimately, I stuck with my basic seat and personal item.
Luckily, I got a tiny aisle seat when I flew out of Atlanta and a window seat when I returned.
I regret not having paid for the upgraded seats.
Manseen Logan/BI
As I made my way to the back of the plane, the seats went from cushy and spacious to questionable. I started to wonder if I should've just paid the extra $72 for upfront plus seating.
I shook off my regret and remembered my commitment to the budget.
My sitting area was very tight.
Manseen Logan/BI
The seats didn't recline, and I didn't have any wiggle room, but it wasn't horrible for a short two-hour flight.
I was nervous about my personal item being accepted.
Manseen Logan/BI
On the website, Frontier advises passengers to consider personal items to be purses, totes, computer bags, briefcases, diaper bags, or kids' backpacks. At the same time, the website considers large backpacks as carry-ons.
I grabbed the largest kid's book bag I could find from my niece and squeezed 48 hours' worth of clothes and toiletries inside. Then I prayed it would make the cut as a personal item.
Paying for a carry-on at the gate costs more than purchasing it online. I decided, in the spirit of cheapness, that if my bag didn't make the cut, I would go to the restroom, slide my backpack under my hoodie, and either return to the boarding gate with a hunch back or a pregnant belly.
My personal item passed the test, but I noticed the gate agents weren't very strict.
Manseen Logan/BI
Frontier has bins to test the sizes of carry-ons and personal items. I watched as a couple of people shoved, bent, and folded large-sized duffel bags into the tiny space.
Those gate agents didn't seem to care as long as the item eventually fit. I don't think every agent would let this slide, but it's possible.
Boarding was easy, and the flight was smooth.
Manseen Logan/BI
I was in the fourth boarding group out of six.
The flight was packed, boarding was easy, and the trip was smooth. When the flight attendants came down the aisle selling snacks, me and my cheap-minded compadres didn't even look their way.
As I sat in my seat, I wondered how much everyone else paid for their tickets.
Flying Frontier wasn't a treat, but it was affordable.
Manseen Logan/BI
As far as customer service is concerned, the gate agents and flight attendants were friendly and had an unbothered attitude. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing.
When the plane landed, passengers from the rear rushed to the front. I didn't hear the familiar "please remain seated" instruction or a friendly reminder to deboard by row. Maybe that costs extra, too.
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