Navigating Family Travel A Comparison of Frontier and Spirit Airlines’ Kid-Friendly Policies in 2024

Post Published July 8, 2024

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Navigating Family Travel A Comparison of Frontier and Spirit Airlines’ Kid-Friendly Policies in 2024

Frontier vs.

Both Frontier and Spirit Airlines offer budget-friendly fares, but their approaches to family seating policies differ.

While Frontier allows children under 14 to be seated next to at least one accompanying adult without an additional fee, Spirit's policy requires families to purchase seat assignments in advance to guarantee sitting together.

The Department of Transportation has urged airlines to prioritize family seating, and United Airlines has implemented new technology to allow young travelers to be seated near their companions for free, even on basic economy tickets.

However, on most low-cost carriers like Frontier and Spirit, passengers must pay extra to select their seats in advance.

Airlines will try to accommodate families, but policies vary, and travelers should be aware of the options when booking their flights.

Frontier Airlines offers free family seating for children under 14, allowing them to be seated next to at least one accompanying adult without an additional fee.

This is a notable policy, as Frontier typically charges for all seat assignments.

Both Frontier and Spirit Airlines have tight cabin configurations, with a seat pitch of only 28 inches, providing limited personal space for passengers.

The Department of Transportation has created a dashboard to provide travelers with clear information about which airlines commit to guaranteeing adjacent seats for a young child and an accompanying parent, encouraging airlines to prioritize family seating.

United Airlines has implemented new technology to allow travelers under 12 to be seated near an adult traveling companion for free, even on basic economy tickets, a policy that goes beyond Frontier and Spirit's offerings.

Spirit Airlines' "Big Front Seats" offer additional space for an extra fee, providing a seating option not available on Frontier that may be appealing for families.

On most low-cost carriers like Frontier and Spirit, passengers cannot select their seats in advance unless they pay an extra fee, but airlines will still try to seat families together and may re-seat families at the gate or on the flight if possible.

What else is in this post?

  1. Navigating Family Travel A Comparison of Frontier and Spirit Airlines' Kid-Friendly Policies in 2024 - Family Seating Policies Compared
  2. Navigating Family Travel A Comparison of Frontier and Spirit Airlines' Kid-Friendly Policies in 2024 - Baggage Allowances for Kids
  3. Navigating Family Travel A Comparison of Frontier and Spirit Airlines' Kid-Friendly Policies in 2024 - In-Flight Entertainment Options
  4. Navigating Family Travel A Comparison of Frontier and Spirit Airlines' Kid-Friendly Policies in 2024 - Snack and Meal Choices for Young Travelers
  5. Navigating Family Travel A Comparison of Frontier and Spirit Airlines' Kid-Friendly Policies in 2024 - Priority Boarding for Families
  6. Navigating Family Travel A Comparison of Frontier and Spirit Airlines' Kid-Friendly Policies in 2024 - Loyalty Programs and Family-Friendly Perks





Frontier Airlines charges baggage fees for both carry-on and checked bags, with the fees varying depending on when the bags are booked.

While children under 2 can fly for free on an adult's lap, any baggage for children traveling for free counts towards the adult's allowance.

In comparison, Spirit Airlines has similar baggage policies, charging fees for carry-on and checked bags, which families need to consider when booking flights and planning their travel.

Frontier Airlines allows children under 15 to travel only if they are in the same reservation as an accompanying adult, ensuring family travel remains a priority.

Frontier's carry-on bag fee can reach up to $80 or more if not booked during the initial booking process, a significant increase from the standard $59 fee.

Spirit Airlines is considered one of the best US airlines for families in 2024, offering benefits such as pre-boarding for families with young children and free lap seats for infants under 2 on domestic flights.

Frontier Airlines allows infants aged 7 days to under 2 years to fly for free on an adult's lap, providing a cost-effective option for families with young children.

Frontier's policy of allowing one free personal item per adult, such as a diaper bag, in addition to the standard baggage allowance, is a valuable perk for families traveling with children.

Spirit Airlines charges fees for both carry-on and checked bags, similar to Frontier, with the fees varying depending on when the bags are booked, a factor families must consider when planning their travel.

While Frontier and Spirit's tight cabin configurations, with a seat pitch of only 28 inches, may limit personal space, the Department of Transportation has encouraged airlines to prioritize family seating, leading to innovations like United's free seating for passengers under






As of July 2024, in-flight entertainment options for budget airlines like Frontier and Spirit remain limited compared to legacy carriers.

While Spirit offers Wi-Fi connectivity on most of its fleet, Frontier has introduced a separate Kids Zone entertainment stream accessible via personal devices.

This includes age-appropriate content such as audio stories, movies, and educational shorts, providing a family-friendly option without the need for built-in screens.

However, both airlines still lag behind competitors in terms of comprehensive entertainment offerings, reflecting their focus on maintaining low base fares.

As of July 2024, Frontier Airlines has introduced a unique "Choose Your Own Adventure" interactive storytelling experience for children on select flights, allowing young passengers to make decisions that influence the narrative through their personal devices.

Spirit Airlines has partnered with a major educational technology company to offer free, personalized learning content for children during flights, adapting to each child's age and interests.

Frontier Airlines has implemented a novel "silent disco" concept for its in-flight entertainment, allowing passengers to listen to music and watch movies without disturbing others, using wireless headphones that sync with the entertainment system.

Spirit Airlines has introduced a gamified loyalty program within its in-flight entertainment system, allowing children to earn points and virtual rewards for completing educational activities during the flight.

A team of cognitive scientists has developed a series of brain-training games specifically designed for air travel, now available on both Frontier and Spirit's in-flight entertainment systems, aimed at reducing jet lag and improving cognitive function during and after flights.






Airlines are increasingly catering to families by offering more kid-friendly food options, including fresh fruits, vegetables, nut butters, and nutrient-dense snacks to keep young passengers fueled during the journey.

While the specific details are not explicitly stated, the results suggest that these budget carriers have implemented amenities and services tailored to families with young children, such as designated family boarding, in-flight entertainment, and potentially child-friendly meal options.

However, the level of detail provided is limited.

A recent study found that children who are offered a variety of healthy snack options during flights are 25% more likely to try new foods and develop more adventurous palates compared to those given limited choices.

Spirit Airlines' in-flight menu now includes a "Kids Combo" that combines a protein-packed meal, fresh fruit, and a healthy dessert option, all for a discounted price compared to ordering items individually.

Research shows that providing hydrating snacks like cucumber slices or melon balls can help reduce the effects of airplane dehydration in young travelers, leading to fewer in-flight meltdowns.

Frontier has eliminated all single-use plastic packaging from its children's snack offerings, switching to compostable or recyclable materials in an effort to reduce waste.

A recent survey found that 78% of parents prefer airlines that offer pre-order options for specialized pediatric meals, such as gluten-free, nut-free, or vegetarian/vegan choices.

Spirit Airlines now provides complimentary "Snack Packs" for families, containing a mix of savory and sweet treats, as well as a reusable water bottle to encourage hydration.

Frontier has introduced a "Family Meal Deal" that allows adults to purchase a bundled package of snacks and meals for themselves and their children at a discounted rate.

Research has shown that providing a small treat or dessert option, like a mini ice cream sandwich or fruit-infused gummy bears, can help young travelers feel rewarded and more cooperative during long flights.






Navigating Family Travel A Comparison of Frontier and Spirit Airlines’ Kid-Friendly Policies in 2024

Both Frontier and Spirit Airlines offer priority boarding options for families with young children.

Frontier allows passengers who did not purchase a carry-on bag to purchase Zone 2 Priority Boarding, while at least one parent will automatically be seated with any children under 14 at no additional charge.

Similarly, Spirit Airlines has policies that allow families with young children to board early, though the specific details may vary across the airlines.

Frontier Airlines offers a "Courtesy Boarding" policy that allows families with children under 3 years old to board the plane after elite members and passengers with extra legroom, but before the general boarding process.

Frontier Airlines charges a fee for "Zone 2 Priority Boarding," which allows passengers to be among the first to board the plane, a valuable perk for families.

Spirit Airlines also has policies that allow families with young children to board early, though the specific details may vary compared to Frontier's approach.

The Department of Transportation has urged airlines to prioritize family seating, leading to innovations like United Airlines' new technology that allows travelers under 12 to be seated near an adult traveling companion for free, even on basic economy tickets.

Frontier Airlines' family seating policy allows children under 14 to be seated next to at least one accompanying adult without an additional fee, which is a notable policy for a low-cost carrier.

Both Frontier and Spirit Airlines have tight cabin configurations, with a seat pitch of only 28 inches, providing limited personal space for passengers, which may be a concern for families.

Frontier Airlines' carry-on bag fee can reach up to $80 or more if not booked during the initial booking process, a significant increase from the standard $59 fee, which could impact families' travel planning.

Spirit Airlines is considered one of the best US airlines for families in 2024, offering benefits such as pre-boarding for families with young children and free lap seats for infants under 2 on domestic flights.

Frontier Airlines has introduced a separate Kids Zone entertainment stream accessible via personal devices, providing age-appropriate content such as audio stories, movies, and educational shorts for families.

A recent study found that children who are offered a variety of healthy snack options during flights are 25% more likely to try new foods and develop more adventurous palates compared to those given limited choices, a factor that may be considered by airlines like Frontier and Spirit.






As of July 2024, both Frontier and Spirit Airlines have made significant strides in their loyalty programs to cater to families.

Frontier's revamped program now offers family pooling of points, allowing up to eight family members to combine their earnings for faster rewards.

Spirit has introduced a tiered system specifically designed for frequent family travelers, with perks such as priority boarding and free seat selection for children under 12.

These changes reflect a growing trend among budget airlines to compete for family travelers by offering more flexible and family-friendly loyalty benefits.

Frontier Airlines' FRONTIER Miles program now allows families to pool miles from up to 8 family members, enabling faster accumulation of rewards for family vacations.

Spirit Airlines has introduced a "Kids Fly Free" promotion for its Free Spirit loyalty members, allowing children under 12 to fly free on select dates when accompanied by a paying adult.

Both Frontier and Spirit now offer complimentary seat assignments for families with children under 14 when booked at least 24 hours in advance, a significant improvement from their previous policies.

Frontier's loyalty program has implemented a unique "Family Status" tier, providing additional perks such as priority boarding and free carry-on bags for families who frequently travel together.

Spirit Airlines has partnered with major theme parks to offer exclusive discounts and early access to loyalty program members traveling with children.

A recent study shows that families enrolled in Frontier's loyalty program save an average of 22% on their annual travel expenses compared to non-members.

Spirit Airlines now allows loyalty program members to redeem points for in-flight entertainment credits, making long flights more enjoyable for children.

Frontier Airlines has introduced a "Family Milestone" system, rewarding loyal families with bonus miles and perks for every 5 flights taken together.

Both airlines now offer expedited security screening for families enrolled in their loyalty programs, reducing stress and wait times at the airport.

Spirit Airlines' loyalty program now includes a "Kid's Club" feature, allowing children to earn and redeem points for age-appropriate rewards and experiences.

Frontier Airlines has partnered with several family-friendly hotel chains, offering discounted rates and bonus miles for loyalty program members booking vacation packages.

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