American vs Frontier 2026: American Includes the Carry-On

Fees, policies, and figures in this comparison reflect what we verified as of Sep 2026 and can change afterward. Our live tools and the data behind them are re-verified more often than the written comparison.

American and Frontier share one distinction no airline wants: both sat near the bottom of US airline reliability in 2025. American had a 2.36 percent cancellation rate (US DOT full-year 2025), the worst among major US carrier networks. Frontier ranked last of 10 on on-time arrivals (US DOT full-year 2025). They failed for different reasons, but they both failed.

Despite that shared weakness, these are fundamentally different products. American is a full-service oneworld carrier with more than 350 destinations in more than 60 countries, domestic First Class, Flagship Business on international routes, free Wi-Fi, and the AAdvantage loyalty program. Frontier is an ultra-low-cost carrier with approximately 90 destinations, no premium cabin (until a limited First Class launches in early 2026), paid Wi-Fi, and the GoWild All-You-Can-Fly Pass. Under its New Frontier fare structure (Basic, Economy, Premium, Business), Frontier charges no change or cancel fees on any bundle above Basic, a rare upside for an airline this weak on reliability.

The question is whether American’s complete product justifies its higher fares when both airlines deliver bottom-tier reliability. For most travelers, yes. American includes a carry-on on every fare, charges a set $45 for the first checked bag when you pay online ($50 at the airport), where Frontier’s checked bag price moves with the route and date, and offers global network connectivity through oneworld. Frontier’s only advantage is for personal-item-only travelers who want the absolute lowest base fare and are willing to accept everything that comes with it.

What We Looked For

• Reliability, where both airlines rank at the bottom of the industry
• Total trip cost after fees, because Frontier’s base fare hides the real price
• Carry-on policies, where American’s free inclusion is a decisive difference
• Seat comfort, and which airline actually publishes its seat pitch
• Route network, global oneworld carrier versus domestic-focused ULCC
• Loyalty programs, AAdvantage with oneworld partners versus GoWild Pass

Which airline charges less for bags, American or Frontier?

American includes a free carry-on on every fare and charges a set checked bag fee. Frontier prices its carry-on dynamically by route and date and does the same for checked bags, with no flat published fee.

American includes a carry-on on every fare, including Basic Economy. Frontier does not include a carry-on on any fare.

Carry-on. American: free on all fares, 22x14x9 inches. Frontier: a dynamic fee on the Basic fare (cheapest at booking, check Frontier’s Bag Price Checker), 24x16x10 inches, 35-pound weight limit enforced at the gate. Under the New Frontier bundles, a carry-on is included once you step up to the Economy bundle or higher; only the cheapest Basic fare charges for it. Frontier’s box is larger, but on the Basic fare the carry-on fee is the story.

Personal item. American allows 18x14x8 inches. Frontier specifies 18x14x8 inches and enforces with a gate sizer. The same box.

Checked bags. American charges 45 dollars for the first checked bag and 55 dollars for the second when you pay online, or 50 and 60 dollars at the airport (Basic Economy pays 5 dollars more per bag), with a 50-pound limit. Frontier publishes no flat checked bag fee: prices are dynamic by route and date, cheaper at booking and higher at check-in or the airport, and its standard checked bag tops out at 40 pounds rather than the usual 50.

Total cost. Dallas to Denver, round trip. Frontier’s base fare is often lower, but add a carry-on fee on each flight, priced by route and date in Frontier’s Bag Price Checker. American’s fare on the same route includes the carry-on. Price the Frontier bag for your dates before you count the base-fare gap as savings. American’s fare also buys free Wi-Fi and AAdvantage earning on Main Cabin fares.

For details on your specific bag, use our carry-on size checker or see our guide to avoiding checked bag fees.

Winner: carry-on inclusion

American / free on all fares vs a dynamic fee on Frontier Basic

Winner: checked bag fees

American / $45 online ($50 airport) vs Frontier's dynamic pricing

Winner: personal-item-only travel

Frontier / lower base fares

Winner: carry-on size

Frontier / 24x16x10 vs 22x14x9

Is American or Frontier more reliable for on-time arrivals?

Neither ranks among the best. American posted 76.43 percent on-time in 2025, while Frontier was among the most-delayed major US carriers.

This is a comparison where nobody comes out looking great.

American’s full-year 2025 on-time rate was 76.43 percent per Cirium. Its cancellation rate was 2.36 percent per US DOT full-year 2025 data, the worst of any major carrier network.

Frontier was the most-delayed major US airline in 2025, last of 10 on on-time arrivals (US DOT full-year 2025).

On cancellation recovery, American has the clear edge. American operates over 6,700 daily flights across eight hubs. If an American flight cancels at DFW, another American departure is likely within hours. If a Frontier flight cancels at DEN, the next one may not be until tomorrow. Frontier’s lower frequency on many routes makes cancellations harder to recover from.

Winner: on-time arrivals

American / 76.43% vs Frontier, the most-delayed major US carrier in 2025

Winner: cancellation rate

Frontier / lower than American's industry-worst 2.36%

Winner: recovery after disruption

American / 6,700+ daily flights vs fewer options

Does American or Frontier have more legroom?

American publishes 30 to 32 inches of seat pitch depending on aircraft and up to 39 inches in Main Cabin Extra, while Frontier publishes no seat pitch for any of its seats.

Standard economy. American offers 30 to 32 inches of seat pitch, depending on the aircraft: 30 on the 737-800, 737 MAX 8 and A321, up to 32 on the A321XLR. Frontier’s seating page says only that its Standard seats “come with standard legroom and space”. Check the seat map for your Frontier flight if an inch matters to you.

Extra legroom. American Main Cabin Extra offers 34 to 39 inches of pitch with priority boarding. Frontier sells Premium seats and UpFront Plus rows (with a guaranteed empty middle seat) as extra legroom but gives no figure, and they are an add-on to a fee-heavy base fare.

First Class. American offers domestic First Class on all mainline narrowbody aircraft with recliner seats, complimentary meals, and priority services. Flagship Business on widebody routes offers lie-flat suites, with the new Flagship Suite on A321XLR aircraft launching in late 2025. Frontier is launching a limited First Class product in early 2026, but details remain sparse and scope will be limited compared to American’s established offering.

Wi-Fi. American provides free high-speed Wi-Fi for AAdvantage members on approximately 90 percent of its fleet, sponsored by AT&T. Frontier charges for Wi-Fi.

Entertainment. American streams free content to personal devices via the American Airlines app, including Apple TV+ content. No seatback screens on narrowbody aircraft. Frontier has no seatback screens and offers limited streaming through the Frontier app.

Winner: standard legroom

Not published / American Main Cabin 30-32 in; Frontier publishes no figure

Winner: Wi-Fi

American / free for AAdvantage members

Winner: maximum extra legroom

Not published / Main Cabin Extra up to 39 in; Frontier publishes no figure

Winner: premium cabin

American / established First Class and Flagship Business

Does American or Frontier fly to more destinations?

American serves more than 350 destinations in more than 60 countries. Frontier covers approximately 90 domestic-focused destinations.

American flies to more than 350 destinations in more than 60 countries, per its own company overview. Eight major hubs at DFW, CLT, MIA, ORD, PHL, LAX, PHX, and DCA. Oneworld alliance access to 14-plus partner airlines including British Airways, Japan Airlines, and Qantas. International service on widebody aircraft. Adding 15-plus new routes for 2026.

Frontier serves approximately 90 destinations, focused on major domestic markets with Denver as its primary hub. International service is limited to Mexico and the Caribbean. No alliance partnerships. No widebody aircraft. No transoceanic flights.

If you fly internationally at all, American is the only option. Domestically, Frontier competes on many of the same routes (Denver, Orlando, Las Vegas, Phoenix) but with less frequency and no global connectivity.

Winner: international reach

American / 350+ destinations, 60+ countries, oneworld

Winner: domestic budget routes

Frontier / lower base fares on select routes

Is AAdvantage or FRONTIER Miles the better loyalty program?

AAdvantage is the stronger program, with oneworld partners, elite upgrades, and Admirals Club access. Frontier’s GoWild Pass is unique but suits only ultra-flexible travelers.

AAdvantage earns miles based on ticket price. Neither American nor Frontier publishes a value per mile. Elite tiers unlock complimentary upgrades, preferred seating, and lounge access. Oneworld membership means miles earn and burn across 14-plus airlines. Note: as of December 2025, Basic Economy no longer earns AAdvantage miles or Loyalty Points.

FRONTIER Miles earns miles on flights and purchases. The GoWild All-You-Can-Fly Pass (349 to 599 dollars per year) is the program’s unique feature, offering unlimited flights booked one day before departure for one cent plus taxes. For travelers who fly 6 to 8 or more times per year with total flexibility and only a personal item, GoWild offers value no legacy program can match.

For travelers who fly frequently enough to earn status, AAdvantage provides dramatically more value through upgrades, lounge access, and partner airline redemptions. GoWild is a different kind of value proposition, one that works brilliantly for a narrow audience and poorly for everyone else.

Winner: loyalty value

AAdvantage / oneworld partners, upgrades, Admirals Club

Winner: lounge access

AAdvantage

Winner: ultra-flexible travelers

FRONTIER Miles / GoWild Pass

Who Should Pick American

• You want a carry-on included on every fare, including the cheapest
• You fly internationally or need oneworld alliance partner access
• You value free Wi-Fi and in-flight streaming content
• You want the option to upgrade to First Class or Flagship Business
• You want a seat pitch you can check before you book (30 to 32 inches by aircraft)
• You want a larger network for recovery when flights are delayed or cancelled
• You want to earn miles toward upgrades and partner redemptions

Who Should Pick Frontier

• You always fly personal-item-only and never need an overhead bag
• You want the absolute lowest base fare available on your route
• You have the flexibility to use the GoWild Pass (booking one day before departure)
• You are willing to accept a lower reliability ranking for a lower price
• You can tolerate a no-frills seat
• You value Frontier’s larger carry-on dimensions (24x16x10) when you do pay for a bag
• You want a fare with no change or cancel fees (any Frontier bundle above Basic qualifies)

The Bottom Line

American and Frontier both finished 2025 with poor reliability records, but they are not the same kind of bad. American is a complete airline with a reliability problem: it offers everything a traveler needs (bags, legroom, lounges, global reach) but delivers it with the worst cancellation rate in the industry. Frontier is an incomplete airline with a lower price: it offers a seat, a personal item, and charges for everything else, while also delivering poor reliability.

For personal-item-only travelers who want the lowest possible base fare, Frontier delivers. For everyone else, American’s carry-on inclusion, predictable checked bag fee, free Wi-Fi, and oneworld network make it the more complete option, even with its reliability issues. When both airlines are going to frustrate you on delays and cancellations, you might as well be frustrated in a seat with a carry-on, free Wi-Fi, and the ability to rebook on oneworld partners.

For more comparisons, see American vs Spirit and JetBlue vs Frontier.