What Frontier Airlines has committed to in writing when your flight is delayed or cancelled, summarized from its customer service plan, contract of carriage and tarmac delay plan. Most of these commitments apply only when the cause is within Frontier's control.
The short version
- Meal vouchers for controllable delays of 3 hours or more.
- No committed hotel or ground transport, even for an overnight delay Frontier caused.
- Rebooking on Frontier only. Frontier has no obligation to move you to another airline.
Frontier at a glance
For delays and cancellations within Frontier's control.
| Rebooking on Frontier | Yes, at no cost |
|---|---|
| Rebooking on another airline | No |
| Meals | Yes, after 3 hours |
| Hotel for an overnight delay | No commitment |
| Transport to the hotel | No commitment |
| Credits, points or vouchers | None committed |
| Cash compensation | No |
When the delay or cancellation is Frontier's fault
These commitments apply when the cause is within the airline's control, such as maintenance, crew or its own systems. See controllable vs. uncontrollable delays.
Rebooking on Frontier
Placed on the next available Frontier flight at no additional cost.
Also offered for uncontrollable events, where re-accommodation on the next available Frontier flight is the only thing provided.
Rebooking on another airline Not committed
Not offered. The contract of carriage states Frontier will have no obligation to provide transportation on another carrier.
Contract of carriage section 17, revision R2 (09/14/26).
Meals
Meal vouchers for controllable flight delays of 3 hours or more, or for cancellations where the rebooked flight departs 3 or more hours after the original departure.
Not provided for uncontrollable events such as weather.
Hotel Not committed
Frontier does not commit to hotel accommodations for overnight delays or cancellations. Neither its customer service plan nor its contract of carriage provides for them.
Transport to and from the hotel Not committed
Frontier's customer service plan does not commit to ground transportation to or from a hotel.
Credits, points or vouchers Not committed
No committed credit. Under the contract of carriage Frontier may offer a voucher, travel credit or other compensation as an alternative to a refund.
Contract of carriage section 17, revision R2 (09/14/26).
Cash compensation Not committed
No cash compensation. A full refund of the unused portion of your ticket is available upon request.
Refund upon request for cancellations and for delays of more than 3 hours. Contract of carriage: for force majeure events Frontier has no liability except a refund of the unused portion of the ticket.
When the cause is weather or air traffic control
For disruptions outside Frontier's control, expect rebooking on Frontier's own flights and little else: the meal, hotel and compensation commitments above generally do not apply. Ask anyway about discounted hotel rates, and check whether your own trip delay cover pays. If you are not sure the cause really is weather, see how to check.
Refunds
Whatever the cause, if Frontier cancels your flight, or delays or changes it significantly (three hours or more domestic, six or more international), and you choose not to travel, you are entitled to a refund to your original form of payment under US rules. You do not have to accept a credit instead. See the DOT refund rule.
Tarmac delays
- Passengers get the opportunity to deplane before a tarmac delay at a US airport exceeds 3 hours (domestic flights). At 150 minutes, unless the pilot-in-command deems departure imminent, Frontier will look to return the aircraft to a gate. Exceptions: the pilot-in-command determines deplaning would jeopardize safety or security, or air traffic control advises that returning would significantly disrupt airport operations.
- Passengers get the opportunity to deplane before a tarmac delay at a US airport exceeds 4 hours (international flights).
- All customers offered the opportunity to receive food and water no later than 120 minutes after the delay begins.
- Operable lavatory facilities, a comfortable cabin temperature, and medical assistance if needed, including use of a third-party medical consultation service. Status notification when the tarmac delay exceeds 30 minutes. Plan coordinated with airport authorities, terminal facility operators, CBP and TSA at each airport Frontier regularly serves, including frequently used diversion airports.
- Frontier's tarmac delay plan does not provide any passenger compensation for tarmac delays.
These match the federal rules. See tarmac delay rules.
How to use this at the airport
- Ask the gate agent what is causing the delay, and note the answer.
- Ask for what Frontier commits to, by name. Many commitments are only provided on request. Here is what to say.
- If you pay for something yourself that Frontier commits to cover, keep the receipts and claim afterwards. If it refuses, see how to file a complaint with the DOT.
Sources
Summarized from Frontier's published documents, last checked October 2, 2026. Airlines update these documents, so check the current version before you rely on a specific detail.
- flyfrontier.com/legal/customer-service-plan/
- flyfrontier.com/legal/contract-of-carriage/
- flyfrontier.com/legal/tarmac-delay-plan/
Compare with other airlines
See how Frontier compares with other US airlines on the airline policies page.
This guide is general information for US travelers, not legal advice. Rules and airline commitments change; check with your airline or the US Department of Transportation for your specific situation.