Frontier Airlines Media Baggage
Media rateFrontier’s October 2026 official PDF lists a $75 media exception. It does not clearly say whether that replaces the base bag fee, so confirm the total before flying.
The quick answer
- What do I pay per bag?
- $75 per qualifying excess, oversize or overweight item. Confirm whether a base bag fee is also charged.
- How heavy can each bag be?
- No separate media maximum stated. General bags must be under 100 lb. Normal 40 lb allowance is not a free bag.
- How big can each bag be?
- No separate media maximum stated. General bag ceiling: 110 total inches; confirm acceptance of your media case.
- Who qualifies?
- Network/broadcasting or film/video production company representatives with appropriate credentials
- What do I show or send?
- Show credentials and the PDF’s Media Equipment exception at check-in; confirm the charge beforehand
Prices are per bag, one way. Weight includes the case. Total inches = length + width + height added together.
All the details
- Media exception
- $75 per qualifying excess, oversized or overweight item (base-fee treatment requires confirmation)
- Ordinary bag—not the media deal
- Base price varies. 40 lb / 62 inches before normal weight/size surcharges.
- 41–50 lbs
- +$75 per bag, each way
- 51–99.99 lbs
- +$129 (booked on/after Apr 4, 2026)
- 63–110 inches
- +$75 per bag, each way
- Not accepted
- 100+ lbs or over 110 inches
How it works
- Use the October 2026 Special Items PDF, Media Equipment row. Bring appropriate company credentials.
- Get the total price and packed-case acceptance confirmed. The media exception does not give its own weight or size ceiling.
- The normal fees below are separate fallback information, not additional charges we can confirm under the media exception.
Where the airline says this
Official airline pages and quoted wording to show at check-in. Look for the section named in each link. Highlighting depends on your browser; PDFs may need a search. Reviewed October 28, 2026; any unverified allowance is labeled above.
- Frontier — October 2026 PDF: Media Equipment row ↗
"may check excess, oversize, and overweight baggage or other items for 75 USD per item"
- Frontier — Overweight charges ↗
"Bags weighing 41-50 pounds"
- Frontier — Oversized charges ↗
"Bags between 63-110 linear inches"
- Frontier — Bag size limits ↗
"Checked bags must not exceed 62 linear inches"
Guitars & musical instruments
Agent says it can't go onboard? Open these on your phone and show them:
The airline's page says: “Items over 99.9 pounds will not be accepted.”
Frontier’s $75 media exception does not automatically cover your guitar. The instrument chart applies ordinary bag fees and weight/size charges.
- Can my guitar come onboard?
- Yes, if it fits in the overhead bin and space is available—even if it exceeds normal carry-on dimensions. Frontier will not remove other bags or offer special boarding. Otherwise it may be gate-checked.
- What does it replace?
- Your carry-on bag—not an extra free overhead suitcase. A small personal item must still meet the airline’s rules.
- What do I pay in the cabin?
- Whatever your ticket charges for a carry-on bag. Frontier usually charges for carry-ons. The guitar counts as that bag, so it is not free on top.
- Can I buy my instrument a seat?
- No. Frontier’s contract prohibits buying a seat for baggage such as large musical instruments. If it will not fit overhead, it must be checked.
- What do I pay to check it?
- Normal checked-bag price plus applicable extras: 41–50 lb +$75; 51–99.99 lb +$129 for bookings from April 4, 2026; 63–110 inches +$75. Weight and size charges can both apply.
- How heavy and big can a checked case be?
- Maximum 99.9 lb, including the case. The instrument chart refuses cases over 99.9 lb. General bag maximum: 110 total inches; instrument exceptions in the contract are unclear, so get written acceptance for an unusually large case. Allow 30 extra minutes at check-in.
Weight and size include the case. Cabin space must be available when you board. Use a protective case suitable for checking if the cabin is full.
U.S. law protects your guitar. On U.S. flights, airlines must let a guitar in its case ride in the cabin if it fits safely in the overhead bin or under the seat and there is room when you board. Show this page — the rule itself (14 CFR 251.3) — if an agent says no: Read the rule ↗
Official instrument rules
- Frontier — October 2026 PDF: Musical Instruments—Small / Large ↗
“Items over 99.9 pounds will not be accepted.”
- Frontier — Contract §8F: no baggage seat purchase ↗
“Tickets may not be purchased for the transport of items of baggage”
- Frontier — Current ordinary weight and size charges ↗
“Bags weighing 41-50 pounds”
Original 2024 article (historical)
Frontier Airlines
Media Rate: Conditions & Pricing
Frontier Airlines is a popular low-cost carrier that offers affordable airfare, low baggage fees, and great customer service that will make your travel experience as hassle-free as possible. If you're a media professional planning to fly with Frontier Airlines, you might have some questions about how to transport your gear:
- Does the airline have a media rate?
- What are the conditions and fees associated with transporting media equipment on this airline?
- Do you need to show a media ID?
- Is there any way to reduce travel costs?
In this article, we'll answer all these questions and more. We'll give you all the details about Frontier Airlines media rates for transporting media equipment, including weight and size restrictions, pricing, and tips for keeping your travel cost down.
Frontier Airlines Media Rates
At Frontier Airlines, your safety and the safety of your belongings are the top priority. The company follows strict policies to ensure that everything is transported securely, including baggage with your media equipment.
However, the company doesn’t provide fixed prices for transporting media bags. You can bring media equipment such as cameras and video gear on board as carry-on or checked baggage. This means that the final costs will also depend on the standard pricing of checked and carry-on baggage.
- Carry-on Baggage
You can bring camera bags, video equipment bags, or other small media equipment as carry-on baggage as long as it fits under the seat or in the overhead bin. But be aware that there are size and weight restrictions that depend on your fare type and route.
Keep your carry-on items under 24x16x10 inches to avoid fees ranging from $35 to $60. You can get the best deal by booking early and purchasing service bundles like The Works or The Perks. Elite members get one free carry-on bag.
- Checked Baggage
You can pack your media equipment in checked baggage with Frontier Airlines, but remember to keep the weight and size within the limit of 50 pounds and 62 linear inches. The first and second bag fees range from $30-$60 and $45-$55 respectively, with additional bags costing $85-$95 each. Elite 100k members can check one bag for free.
- Oversized and overweight baggage
Overweight baggage between 51-100 pounds will cost $75 per piece, while oversize baggage with dimensions between 63-110 inches will also cost $75 per piece.
- Media Baggage Fee
Frontier Airlines charges a fee for checked baggage, including media equipment. The fees vary based on the fare type, route, and when the baggage is purchased. As of my knowledge cutoff date of September 2021, the media baggage fees were as follows:
- Purchase at Booking: $30 per bag
- Purchase Online: $45 per bag
- Purchase at Check-In Counter: $55 per bag
- Purchase at the Gate: $85 per bag
To check the airline's website for the latest information on media baggage fees and restrictions, visitFrontier Airlines' official website.
Pros and Cons of Traveling with Media Bags on Frontier Airlines
From affordable airfare and baggage fees to convenient carry-on policies and helpful customer service, Frontier is a great option for budget-conscious travelers.
Advantages:
- The ability to bring your media equipment on board as carry-on luggage. This allows you to keep your gear with you at all times and ensure it is not lost or mishandled during transport.
- You can save money and avoid paying extra fees at the airport if you buy your baggage allowance online ahead of time. You can also make sure you have enough space and weight for your media equipment if you buy your baggage allowances ahead of time.
- If you need to check your media equipment as baggage, Frontier Airlines offers affordable checked baggage fees, which can help you save money compared to other airlines. While additional fees may apply for oversized or overweight baggage, Frontier's fees for standard checked baggage are lower than many other airlines.
- Lastly, Frontier Airlines is known for having friendly and helpful customer service, which can be especially important when traveling with media equipment.
Disadvantages:
- Frontier Airlines is a low-cost airline, so flights may have fewer amenities and be more crowded, which can make it difficult to travel with large equipment. To make the most of your packing space, it may be necessary to plan carefully.
- The company charges additional fees for many services, including checked baggage and carry-on luggage. If you need to bring a lot of media equipment with you, these fees can quickly add up and make your travel expenses much higher than anticipated.
Frontier Airlines has rules about how to pack and protect media equipment like cameras and video gear so that it doesn't get broken during transport. It's recommended that passengers carry valuable or fragile items in their carry-on baggage, rather than in checked baggage.