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

Delta: 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 Delta and Frontier include a carry-on on basic economy?

Delta: Main Basic (formerly Basic Economy) includes a carry-on and a personal item on U.S. flights. 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, Delta or Frontier?

In 2025 Delta arrived on time 79.1% of the time (1.1% cancelled) and Frontier 70.7% (1.8% cancelled), according to U.S. DOT data.

Which has more legroom, Delta or Frontier?

Standard economy legroom is about 31 in on Delta and about 28 in on Frontier. Both sell extra-legroom seats.

Which cancels fewer flights, Delta or Frontier?

In 2025 Delta cancelled 1.1% of its flights and Frontier 1.8%, so Delta had the edge (U.S. DOT data).

Are Delta and Frontier partners?

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

DL vs F9 · 2026 comparison

Delta vs Frontier

Delta wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare, a more generous carry-on weight limit, more legroom, a better on-time record and fewer cancellations; 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

Delta

Wins 5 categories

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

Frontier

Wins 2 categories

A bigger carry-on
Cheaper checked bags

Quick verdict

Delta wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare, a more generous carry-on weight limit, more legroom, a better on-time record and fewer cancellations; 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: Delta: 22 × 14 × 9 in · Frontier: 24 × 16 × 10 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Delta: Included on every fare · Frontier: Costs extra on basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): Delta: $45 · Frontier: $29–$63
Standard economy legroom: Delta: About 31 in · Frontier: About 28 in
On-time arrivals (2025): Delta: 79.1% · Frontier: 70.7%

Side by side

	Delta	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	Must fit under the seat	18 × 14 × 8 in
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	$29–$63
Comfort
Standard economy legroom	About 31 in	About 28 in
Reliability
On-time arrivals (2025)	79.1%	70.7%
Flights cancelled (2025)	1.1%	1.8%
Network
Alliance	SkyTeam	None
Loyalty program	SkyMiles	FRONTIER Miles
Main hubs	ATL, DTW, MSP, SLC, JFK	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

Delta 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.

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

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

Personal items: anything that fits under the seat on Delta, and 18 × 14 × 8 in (46 × 36 × 20 cm) on Frontier.

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

Basic economy

Delta (Delta Main Basic): Main Basic (formerly Basic Economy) includes a carry-on and a personal item on U.S. flights. 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

Delta gives about 31 in of legroom in standard economy and Frontier about 28 in, an edge for Delta. Delta: About 31 in in Main Cabin; 34–35 in in Comfort. Frontier: About 28–29 in.

On-time performance

In 2025, Delta landed 79.1% of its flights on time and cancelled 1.1%; Frontier landed 70.7% on time and cancelled 1.8%. That makes Delta 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

Delta is in SkyTeam and Frontier is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: SkyMiles (Delta) and FRONTIER Miles (Frontier).

Delta's main hubs are Atlanta (ATL), Detroit (DTW), Minneapolis (MSP), Salt Lake City (SLC), New York (JFK). Frontier's are Denver (DEN). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Delta if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
a more generous carry-on weight limit
more legroom
a better on-time record
fewer cancellations
to earn and use SkyTeam miles and status
nonstops from ATL, DTW, MSP

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.