Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, American or Frontier?

American: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Frontier: 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm), up to 35 lb (15.9 kg). Frontier allows the larger bag.

Do American and Frontier include a carry-on on basic economy?

American: Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra. Frontier: The Basic fare includes only a personal item. Add a carry-on when you book; it costs the most at the gate.

Which is more reliable, American or Frontier?

In 2025 American arrived on time 72.7% of the time (1.8% cancelled) and Frontier 70.7% (1.8% cancelled), according to U.S. DOT data.

Which has more legroom, American or Frontier?

Standard economy legroom is about 30 in on American and about 28 in on Frontier. Both sell extra-legroom seats.

Which cancels fewer flights, American or Frontier?

In 2025 American cancelled 1.8% of its flights and Frontier 1.8%, close to a tie (U.S. DOT data).

Are American and Frontier partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (American: oneworld; Frontier: none), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

AA vs F9 · 2026 comparison

American vs Frontier

American wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare, a more generous carry-on weight limit, more legroom and a better on-time record; Frontier wins on a bigger carry-on and cheaper checked bags. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction

American

Wins 4 categories

A carry-on on its cheapest fare
A more generous carry-on weight limit
More legroom
A better on-time record

Frontier

Wins 2 categories

A bigger carry-on
Cheaper checked bags

Quick verdict

American wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare, a more generous carry-on weight limit, more legroom and a better on-time record; Frontier wins on a bigger carry-on and cheaper checked bags. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: American: 22 × 14 × 9 in · Frontier: 24 × 16 × 10 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: American: Included on every fare · Frontier: Costs extra on basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): American: $45 · Frontier: $29–$63
Standard economy legroom: American: About 30 in · Frontier: About 28 in
On-time arrivals (2025): American: 72.7% · Frontier: 70.7%

Side by side

	American	Frontier
Bags
Carry-on size	22 × 14 × 9 in	24 × 16 × 10 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Costs extra on basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	None published	35 lb (15.9 kg)
Personal item	18 × 14 × 8 in	18 × 14 × 8 in
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	$29–$63
Comfort
Standard economy legroom	About 30 in	About 28 in
Reliability
On-time arrivals (2025)	72.7%	70.7%
Flights cancelled (2025)	1.8%	1.8%
Network
Alliance	oneworld	None
Loyalty program	AAdvantage	FRONTIER Miles
Main hubs	DFW, CLT, ORD, MIA, PHL	DEN

Highlighted values are better for travelers. Fees are for U.S. domestic economy flights; on-time data is 2025 U.S. DOT figures for each airline's own flights.

Bags and fees

American allows a carry-on up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), and Frontier up to 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm), so Frontier's is roomier.

American includes it on every fare, while Frontier charges for it on its cheapest fare.

Frontier caps carry-ons at 35 lb (15.9 kg); American publishes no limit.

Personal items: 18 × 14 × 8 in (46 × 36 × 20 cm) on American, and 18 × 14 × 8 in (46 × 36 × 20 cm) on Frontier.

A first checked bag on American costs $45 on U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and short-haul international flights, and a first checked bag on Frontier costs $29–$63 on all Frontier flights.

Basic economy

American (Basic Economy): Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra.

Frontier (Basic): The Basic fare includes only a personal item. Add a carry-on when you book; it costs the most at the gate.

Seats and Wi-Fi

American gives about 30 in of legroom in standard economy and Frontier about 28 in, an edge for American. American: About 30 in in Main Cabin; 34 in or more in Main Cabin Extra. Frontier: About 28–29 in.

On-time performance

In 2025, American landed 72.7% of its flights on time and cancelled 1.8%; Frontier landed 70.7% on time and cancelled 1.8%. That makes American the more punctual of the two. The figures come from the U.S. DOT and count each airline's own flights, not regional partners.

Loyalty and where they fly

American is in oneworld and Frontier is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: AAdvantage (American) and FRONTIER Miles (Frontier).

American's main hubs are Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Miami (MIA), Philadelphia (PHL). Frontier's are Denver (DEN). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose American if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
a more generous carry-on weight limit
more legroom
a better on-time record
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from DFW, CLT, ORD

Choose Frontier if you want…

a bigger carry-on
cheaper checked bags
nonstops from DEN

On a route both fly, the cheaper ticket isn't always the cheaper trip: add the bags you'll actually bring, and check the fare rules before you book.