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

Frontier: 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm), up to 35 lb (15.9 kg). Hawaiian: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), up to 25 lb (11.3 kg). Frontier allows the larger bag.

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

Frontier: The Basic fare includes only a personal item. Add a carry-on when you book; it costs the most at the gate. Hawaiian: A carry-on and personal item come with Main Cabin fares; check your Basic fare's details when booking.

Which is more reliable, Frontier or Hawaiian?

In 2025 Frontier arrived on time 70.7% of the time (1.8% cancelled) and Hawaiian 81.9% (0.8% cancelled), according to U.S. DOT data.

Which cancels fewer flights, Frontier or Hawaiian?

In 2025 Frontier cancelled 1.8% of its flights and Hawaiian 0.8%, so Hawaiian had the edge (U.S. DOT data).

Where do Frontier and Hawaiian fly from?

Frontier's main hubs are Denver (DEN). Hawaiian's are Honolulu (HNL). The better pick is often whichever flies nonstop from your airport.

Are Frontier and Hawaiian partners?

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

F9 vs HA · 2026 comparison

Frontier vs Hawaiian

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

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

Frontier

Wins 3 categories

A bigger carry-on
A more generous carry-on weight limit
Cheaper checked bags

Hawaiian

Wins 3 categories

A carry-on on its cheapest fare
A better on-time record
Fewer cancellations

Quick verdict

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

Carry-on size: Frontier: 24 × 16 × 10 in · Hawaiian: 22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Frontier: Costs extra on basic fares · Hawaiian: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): Frontier: $29–$63 · Hawaiian: $45
On-time arrivals (2025): Frontier: 70.7% · Hawaiian: 81.9%

Side by side

	Frontier	Hawaiian
Bags
Carry-on size	24 × 16 × 10 in	22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Costs extra on basic fares	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	35 lb (15.9 kg)	25 lb (11.3 kg)
Personal item	18 × 14 × 8 in	Must fit under the seat
First checked bag (regular economy)	$29–$63	$45
Reliability
On-time arrivals (2025)	70.7%	81.9%
Flights cancelled (2025)	1.8%	0.8%
Network
Alliance	None	oneworld
Loyalty program	FRONTIER Miles	Atmos Rewards
Main hubs	DEN	HNL

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

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

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

Carry-on weight limits: 35 lb (15.9 kg) on Frontier, 25 lb (11.3 kg) on Hawaiian.

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

A first checked bag on Frontier costs $29–$63 on all Frontier flights, and a first checked bag on Hawaiian costs $45 on flights between Hawaii and North America.

Basic economy

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

Hawaiian (Main Cabin Basic): A carry-on and personal item come with Main Cabin fares; check your Basic fare's details when booking.

On-time performance

In 2025, Frontier landed 70.7% of its flights on time and cancelled 1.8%; Hawaiian landed 81.9% on time and cancelled 0.8%. That makes Hawaiian 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

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

Loyalty programs: FRONTIER Miles (Frontier) and Atmos Rewards (Hawaiian).

Frontier's main hubs are Denver (DEN). Hawaiian's are Honolulu (HNL). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Frontier if you want…

a bigger carry-on
a more generous carry-on weight limit
cheaper checked bags
nonstops from DEN

Choose Hawaiian if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
a better on-time record
fewer cancellations
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from HNL

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.