Traveling with family, especially with young children, can be stressful enough. Ensuring everyone sits together on the flight is a top priority for many parents. When flying with budget airlines like Frontier, understanding their seating policies is crucial to avoid unexpected seating arrangements and potential frustration.
Frontier Airlines Seating Policy: An Overview
Frontier Airlines operates on an unbundled fare system, meaning you pay extra for everything beyond the basic seat and transportation. This includes checked baggage, carry-on baggage (for some fares), and, importantly, seat selection. Understanding this core concept is key to answering the question of whether families can reliably sit together on Frontier.
Essentially, Frontier does not guarantee families will sit together unless they pay for assigned seats. This policy is in place to keep fares low and offer passengers the option to customize their travel experience. While Frontier will attempt to seat young children with a parent, it is not always guaranteed without purchased seat assignments.
The Risk of Not Selecting Seats
If you choose not to select seats during booking or check-in, Frontier’s automated system will assign seats. There’s a significant chance that family members will be separated, particularly on busy flights. The system aims to fill the plane efficiently, and this may mean scattering family members throughout the cabin.
How Frontier Handles Young Children
Frontier’s policy states they will attempt to seat children under the age of 13 with at least one accompanying adult, when seats are available. This doesn’t necessarily mean the entire family will sit together, just the child and one adult. While commendable, relying on this alone is risky, especially if you have multiple children or specific seating preferences.
Strategies for Ensuring Family Seating on Frontier
While it requires additional planning and potential cost, there are several strategies you can employ to increase the likelihood of your family sitting together on a Frontier flight.
Purchasing Assigned Seats
The most reliable way to ensure your family sits together is to purchase assigned seats. This allows you to choose specific seats during the booking process or at any time before the flight, guaranteeing your family members are seated next to each other.
The cost of seat selection varies depending on the flight, seat location (window, aisle, extra legroom), and demand. Be prepared to factor this cost into your overall travel budget. Seat selection can sometimes be more expensive closer to the flight date.
Booking as a Group
When booking your tickets, ensure you book them all together under one reservation. This signals to the airline that you are traveling as a group and increases the likelihood of the system attempting to seat you together. While it’s not a guarantee without seat assignments, it provides a slightly better chance than booking separately.
Checking In Early
If you decide not to purchase assigned seats, check in as early as possible. This increases your chances of finding adjacent seats that haven’t already been assigned. Check-in typically opens 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. Log in promptly to maximize your options.
Being Polite and Proactive at the Gate
At the gate, politely explain your situation to the gate agent. If there are any remaining unassigned seats, they may be able to assist in seating your family together. However, remember that gate agents have limited flexibility, especially on full flights. Politeness and understanding can go a long way.
Consider the “Works” Bundle
Frontier offers a bundle called “The Works,” which includes seat selection, a checked bag, a carry-on bag, priority boarding, and flight flexibility. If you plan to purchase several of these options individually, “The Works” might offer a cost-effective way to secure your desired seating and other benefits.
Understanding Frontier’s Different Fare Types
Frontier offers several fare types, and each has different inclusions and restrictions. Understanding these differences is crucial for planning your family travel.
Basic Economy Fares
The most basic fare, often the cheapest, typically does not include seat selection. You will be assigned a seat at check-in. This is the riskiest option if you want to sit together as a family.
Bundled Fares
Frontier offers various bundled fares that may include seat selection. Check the details of each bundle carefully to see what is included and whether it meets your family’s needs.
The “Works” Fare
As mentioned, the “Works” fare includes seat selection, providing peace of mind for families traveling together. It also offers additional flexibility and baggage allowances.
Potential Costs and Considerations
While flying Frontier can be budget-friendly, understanding the potential costs associated with ensuring family seating is essential.
Seat Selection Fees
Seat selection fees can vary widely depending on the route, seat location, and time of booking. Be prepared to pay a significant amount, especially for popular routes and dates.
Last-Minute Changes
If you decide to purchase seats closer to the flight date, you may find that the best seats are already taken, or the prices have increased. It’s best to plan ahead and purchase seats as early as possible.
Flexibility vs. Cost
Consider your priorities. If sitting together is paramount, be prepared to pay for assigned seats. If you are flexible and willing to take a chance, you can save money by opting for assigned seats.
Alternatives to Ensure Family Seating
Beyond the strategies specifically focused on Frontier, there are broader considerations that might influence your decision-making process.
Consider Other Airlines
Compare the total cost of flying Frontier (including seat selection fees) with the cost of flying other airlines that may offer complimentary seat selection for families. Sometimes, the difference in price is negligible, and flying with a more family-friendly airline might be worth the extra cost.
Travel During Off-Peak Seasons
Flights during peak seasons (holidays, summer) are often more crowded, making it more difficult to find adjacent seats. Consider traveling during off-peak seasons when flights are less full, increasing your chances of being seated together.
Real-Life Experiences and Tips from Fellow Travelers
Many travelers have shared their experiences flying Frontier with their families. Here are some tips and insights gleaned from their experiences:
- Plan Ahead: Don’t leave seat selection to the last minute. The earlier you plan, the better your chances of securing seats together.
- Set Realistic Expectations: Understand that Frontier is a budget airline, and you may need to pay extra for amenities that are included on other airlines.
- Weigh the Costs: Compare the cost of flying Frontier with seat selection fees versus other airlines with more inclusive fares.
- Read Reviews: Check online reviews and forums to see what other families have experienced when flying Frontier.
Traveling with family on Frontier Airlines requires careful planning and an understanding of their seating policies. While it’s possible to sit together, it’s not guaranteed without purchasing assigned seats. By weighing the costs and benefits and employing the strategies outlined above, you can increase your chances of a smooth and enjoyable family travel experience. Remember that being informed and proactive is key to navigating Frontier’s unbundled fare system and securing the best possible seating arrangement for your family.
Does Frontier Airlines guarantee families will sit together?
Frontier Airlines does not guarantee that families will be seated together unless they purchase assigned seats in advance. Their unbundled pricing model means that seat selection comes at an additional cost. If you choose not to pay for seat assignments, you risk being separated from your family members, especially if the flight is full or you check in late.
The airline prioritizes filling seats based on various factors and may not consider family arrangements when assigning seats during check-in. To ensure your family sits together, it’s strongly recommended to purchase seat assignments when booking your flights or during online check-in. This allows you to choose specific seats and avoid the potential stress and inconvenience of being separated.
What happens if I don’t pay for seat assignments on Frontier and I’m traveling with children?
If you choose not to pay for seat assignments and are traveling with children, Frontier Airlines will attempt to seat children under the age of 13 next to at least one accompanying adult, subject to availability. This policy aims to accommodate families, but it is not a guarantee, and it depends on the flight’s load and available seating at the time of boarding.
However, keep in mind that Frontier’s policy is subject to interpretation and implementation by gate agents and flight attendants. While they strive to keep families together, the possibility of being separated still exists if the flight is full or if there are unforeseen circumstances. To minimize the risk of separation and ensure your children are seated with you, purchasing seat assignments is the most reliable option.
How much does it cost to select seats on Frontier Airlines?
The cost of selecting seats on Frontier Airlines varies based on several factors including the route, the specific seat location (e.g., aisle, window, exit row), and the time of booking. Prices generally increase as the flight gets closer to departure and more seats are taken. You can find the exact cost during the booking process or by managing your reservation online.
Generally, expect to pay anywhere from $6 to $50 or more per seat, per flight segment. Some of the premium seats with extra legroom will cost even more. Checking seat prices during different stages of the booking process is advisable to find the most affordable option.
When is the best time to purchase seat assignments on Frontier Airlines?
The best time to purchase seat assignments on Frontier Airlines is generally as soon as possible after booking your flight. This allows you to have the widest selection of seats available and potentially secure lower prices. As the flight gets closer to departure, the remaining seats become limited, and the prices tend to increase.
Purchasing seats early ensures you have the best chance of sitting together with your family or getting your preferred seat location (e.g., window or aisle). While you can purchase seats during online check-in (24 hours before departure), the availability will be significantly reduced, and the prices might be higher than if you had booked earlier.
Can I change my seat assignment after I’ve purchased it on Frontier?
Yes, you can typically change your seat assignment after you’ve purchased it on Frontier Airlines, although it may be subject to certain conditions and availability. You can usually make changes through the “Manage My Booking” section on the Frontier website or app, or by contacting Frontier’s customer service.
Keep in mind that changing your seat assignment might incur additional fees, especially if you’re switching to a more expensive seat (e.g., one with more legroom). Also, if you change your flight, your original seat assignment might not transfer to the new flight, and you’ll need to select new seats, potentially paying additional fees.
What is Frontier’s policy on seating infants or small children with their parents?
Frontier Airlines generally attempts to seat infants and small children with at least one accompanying parent or guardian, particularly for safety reasons. While they do not guarantee this unless you’ve purchased assigned seats, they will make an effort to accommodate families with young children.
It’s always a good idea to inform the gate agent of your situation before boarding if you haven’t purchased seat assignments. While the airline strives to keep families together, especially those traveling with young children, purchasing seat assignments remains the most reliable way to ensure that you and your children are seated together.
If Frontier changes my flight, will I get my seat assignment fee refunded?
If Frontier Airlines makes a significant change to your flight (e.g., a schedule change, aircraft change, or cancellation), you are generally entitled to a refund of your seat assignment fee if the airline cannot provide you with a comparable seat on the new flight. This is considered a service that was not rendered due to the airline’s actions.
To obtain a refund, you will usually need to contact Frontier’s customer service and provide details of the flight change and your original seat assignment. Be prepared to provide documentation such as your boarding pass or confirmation email. The refund process may take some time, so it’s advisable to follow up with Frontier if you don’t receive the refund within a reasonable timeframe.