Budget Airline Breakdown: Spirit vs. Frontier vs. Allegiant (What You Really Get for That Cheap Fare)
- Anisa Singh, CruiseGuruz
- Feb 5
- 4 min read
You know that feeling when you spot a $39 flight and immediately start mentally spending the “money you saved”? Same. Then you get to checkout and suddenly you’re adding a carry-on, picking a seat, paying to breathe near the exit row (kidding… mostly), and the total looks suspiciously close to what a “regular” airline was charging in the first place.
That’s the budget airline game: ultra-low base fare + optional add-ons. And to be fair, if you understand the rules, you can absolutely win. I pulled together the key differences using each airline’s current baggage policies and published options, plus what travelers consistently complain about (and love) so you can pick the right one and avoid surprise fees.
1) Spirit Airlines
Why We Love It
Spirit is often the best “middle ground” for budget flyers who want lots of route options and don’t mind a no-frills cabin as long as they can keep the price low. Their pricing can be super competitive, and if you plan your trip well (light packing + no last-minute changes), it can feel like a cheat code.
Key Features
Free personal item up to 18 x 14 x 8 in (must fit under the seat).
Carry-on max size: 22 x 18 x 10 in (usually costs extra unless bundled with certain fare options).
Checked bag limit: max 62 linear inches and 50 lbs standard allowance; overweight/oversize fees can apply.
Big Front Seat® option: wider seats + extra legroom (basically “budget first class energy”).
Travel bundles/fare options can include bags + seat + priority perks (handy if you hate à la carte math).
Spirit-Friendly Travel Gear (to avoid fees)
Best for: Weekend trips, flexible travelers, people who don’t mind paying for the extras they actually use.
Watch-outs: Bag rules are strict, and buying bags late is usually pricier—measure your bag before you leave home.
2) Frontier Airlines
Why We Love It
Frontier is the airline version of “I can do hard things.” If you’re willing to pack smart and skip extras, you can score legit deals. Frontier is also very upfront (no pun intended) about how to save: buy bags early and keep your personal item within size.
Key Features
Free personal item size: 14"H x 18"W x 8"D (they do check).
Carry-on size: 24"H x 16"W x 10"D, max 35 lbs.
Frontier straight-up says the cheapest time to buy bags is at initial booking.
UpFront Plus: front rows + extra legroom + guaranteed empty middle seat (this is a big deal if you hate armrest wars).
Frontier-Friendly Travel Gear (to avoid fees)
Foldable tote bag (for snacks, hoodie, neck pillow, “airport purchases I pretend were necessary”)
Slim tech organizer so your personal item doesn’t become a tangled charging-cable crime scene
Best for: Short hops, price hunters, travelers who can stick to a strict packing plan.
Watch-outs: If your personal item is even a little too big, that’s where people get hit with fees—don’t freestyle the measurements.
3) Allegiant Air
Why We Love It
Allegiant is the “randomly perfect nonstop” airline—especially if you live near a smaller airport and want to get straight to a leisure destination without doing airport Sudoku at a major hub. Allegiant leans hard into point-to-point leisure routes, often connecting smaller/mid-sized cities to vacation spots.
Key Features
Free personal item max: 8 x 14 x 18 in (under-seat).
Carry-on max: 10 x 16 x 22 in (overhead bin; fees apply).
Allegiant warns that airport prices are higher and encourages buying bags in advance.
Allegiant Extra®: includes 7" extra legroom + priority perks on select flights.
Allegiant-Friendly Travel Gear (to avoid fees)
Travel-size first aid + meds kit (because vacation shouldn’t start with “where’s the nearest pharmacy?”)
Best for: Leisure travel, smaller airports, nonstop routes to vacation destinations.
Watch-outs: Double-check your route frequency and timing (some Allegiant routes aren’t daily), and don’t wait until the airport to add bags unless you enjoy pain.
What to Look for When Choosing a Budget Airline
1) Personal item size (this is the whole game).
If you can travel with just the free under-seat bag, you’re winning. Spirit allows up to 18x14x8, Frontier is 14x18x8, and Allegiant is 8x14x18—similar numbers, different orientation, and yes… it matters.
2) When you buy your bags.
These airlines consistently incentivize buying bags early (Frontier literally says it). Waiting until the airport is the most expensive way to do it.
3) Seat comfort upgrades that actually change your life.
Spirit: Big Front Seat® (wider + extra legroom)
Frontier: UpFront Plus (extra legroom + empty middle seat)
Allegiant: Allegiant Extra® (7" extra legroom + priority perks on select flights)
4) Your airport + destination combo.
Allegiant can be a dream if you’re near one of their many airports serving smaller markets to vacation routes.
Conclusion: Spirit vs Frontier vs Allegiant
Here’s the honest takeaway: Spirit vs Frontier vs Allegiant... They can all be amazing—as long as you treat the cheap fare like a starter price, not the final price. If you pack within the personal item rules and buy any add-ons early, you can fly for a fraction of what you’d pay elsewhere. If you show up with an oversized bag and vibes… the airline will happily invoice your vibes.
And if you’d rather have someone else handle the details (and help you avoid those “how did this become $212?” moments), contact CruiseGuruz to book your next vacation—we’ll help you choose the right flights, plan the trip, and keep your budget from getting bullied at checkout.
#BudgetTravel #CheapFlights #SpiritAirlines #FrontierAirlines #AllegiantAir #TravelHacks #CarryOnOnly #FlightDeals #TravelTips #CruiseGuruz
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