If you’ve booked a flight with Frontier Airlines, you might be worried about the possibility of flight cancellations. The low-cost Denver-based carrier is in the number 3 spot for most often delayed or canceled flights. While it’s super frustrating and stressful to have your travel plans disrupted, it’s important to know what your options are in the event Frontier cancelling flights or in the chance that you need to cancel your flight.
I’ve got a couple of Frontier fights coming up (those $19 fares are hard to pass up!), so I needed a refresh on my options in case of a cancellation. I’m sharing what you need to know in case you are also impacted by Frontier Airlines flight cancellations or need to cancel your flight reservation.
Overview of Frontier Airlines
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly airline to get you from point A to point B, Frontier Airlines might be on your radar. Founded in 1994, this Denver-based airline operates flights to over 100 destinations in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Frontier Airlines is known for its ultra-low fares, but keep in mind that you’ll be coughing up lots of extra change for things like seat assignments, checked bags, and carry-on bags.
When it comes to on-time performance, Frontier Airlines has had some issues, to say the least. In 2021, the airline ranked No. 7 out of 10 U.S. airlines for on-time performance, with 78.76% of its flights taking off on time, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) Report.
Now, we know delays and cancellations can happen with any airline, and Frontier Airlines is no exception. But if getting to your destination on time is an absolute must, you might want to consider a more reliable airline. If you’ve got the flexibility and want to save some major moolah, then go for that cheap flight!
Common Reasons for Frontier Airlines Flight Cancellations
Flight cancellations can be frustrating and inconvenient, especially when you have important plans or appointments to keep. Here are some common reasons why Frontier Airlines may cancel a flight:
Mechanical issues: Sometimes, an aircraft may develop a mechanical problem that requires immediate attention. In such cases, the airline may cancel the flight to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
Air traffic control: Air traffic control may restrict the number of flights that can take off or land at an airport due to congestion or other reasons. This can cause delays or cancellations of flights.
Severe weather: Adverse weather conditions such as hurricanes, thunderstorms, heavy snowfall, or fog can pose safety risks for aircraft and passengers. In such cases, the airline may cancel the flight for safety reasons.
Aircraft damage: If an aircraft sustains damage, such as a cracked windshield or a punctured tire, the airline may cancel the flight to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
Crew timeout: Flight crews are subject to strict regulations regarding their working hours to ensure they are well-rested and alert while on duty. If a crew member reaches their maximum working hours, the airline may cancel the flight.
It’s important to note that Frontier Airlines flight cancellations are sometimes beyond the airline’s control. However, Frontier is pretty good at providing its passengers with timely and accurate information about flight cancellations and alternative travel options. I’ve already gotten alerts about my flight time changing by a few minutes and I’m not leaving for another month and a half. If your flight is in fact canceled, the airline will usually rebook you on the next available flight or provide a refund.
Frontier Airlines Cancellation Policy
If you need to cancel your Frontier Airlines flight, it is important to understand their cancellation policy to avoid any unnecessary fees or complications. Here is what you need to know:
24-Hour Cancellation Policy
Frontier Airlines offers a 24-hour cancellation policy. If you cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking and your travel date is more than 7 days away, you can receive a full refund without any cancellation fees. However, if your travel date is within 7 days, you will be charged a cancellation fee.
Canceling or Changing a Paid Reservation
You can cancel your flight for free within 24 hours of booking unless it’s less than 7 days until your flight. If your flight is more than 60 days out, you can cancel for free, also, which is honestly a pretty good deal! For less than 60 days, you’re looking at a $99 cancellation fee. Once canceled, you’ll have 90 days to apply your purchased ticket towards the purchase of a future ticket.
If you purchased the WORKS when booking your flight, your cancellation fees are free and you have a one-year expiration date to book a new flight. Or you can opt to get your money back and request a refund by filling out this form.
If you think you may need to change your flight time, I suggest choosing Flight Flexibility when booking. It’s a small fee but really worth it. With flight flexibility, you’re able to change your flight one time for free, minus the difference in the flight fees. Otherwise, you’ll be hit with some change fees if your flight is less than 60 days away and you need to book a different flight.
Canceling a Reward Reservation
If you need to cancel a Frontier Miles reward reservation, the points will be refunded to your account. However, the taxes and fees associated with the reservation are non-refundable.
How to Cancel a Frontier Airlines Flight
To cancel your Frontier Airlines flight, you can do so online through their website or by calling their customer service. Keep in mind that if you booked through a third-party website or travel agency, you may need to contact them directly to cancel your reservation or make flight changes.
Frontier Cancelling Flights: Compensation and Refund Procedures
If your Frontier Airlines flight gets delayed or canceled, you may be eligible for compensation or a refund. Here’s what you need to know:
Compensation
If your flight is delayed by more than three hours or canceled outright, you may be entitled to compensation. According to the Department of Transportation, there are no federal laws requiring airlines to provide passengers with compensation when their flights are delayed. However, Frontier Airlines will offer compensation in certain controllable situations.
If your flight is delayed or canceled due to what is considered circumstances within Frontier Airlines’ control, such as maintenance issues or crew scheduling problems, you may be eligible for compensation. For delays of 3+ hours or cancellations that result in a rebooking departing 3+ hours later than the time the original flight departs, Frontier will provide meal vouchers to passengers. Alternatively, if you have a canceled flight or are delayed in excess of 3 hours, you can request a full refund of any unused portion of your ticket.
To claim compensation, you’ll need to contact Frontier Airlines’ customer service department and be prepared to provide documentation of your delay or cancellation, such as your boarding pass or itinerary.
Refunds
If you need to completely cancel your Frontier Airlines flight, you may be eligible for a refund. With Frontier’s standard fares, tickets can be canceled for a full refund only within the first 24 hours after booking and only if you bought your ticket at least 168 hours (that’s seven days) before your scheduled departure. After that, cancellation fees might apply.
If you need to cancel your flight due to circumstances beyond your control, such as a medical emergency, jury duty, or a death in the family, you may be eligible for a refund. Also, if your flight is canceled outright, you’re entitled to a full refund of any unused portion of your ticket.
You can request a refund here.
Keep in mind that Frontier Airlines’ policies regarding compensation and refunds may change at any time. Be sure to check their website or contact their customer service department for the most up-to-date information.
How to Deal with Frontier Airlines Flight Cancellations
Dealing with a flight cancellation can be uber frustrating, especially if you’re traveling with kids or in a hurry to reach your destination. Here are some tips to help you navigate the process:
1. Stay Calm
The first thing you should do when you find out your flight has been canceled is to stay calm. Take a deep breath and try not to freak out. Remember that flight cancellations happen all the time, and there is usually a solution. Kind and calm passengers are more likely to get a willing customer service agent to help them.
2. Contact Frontier Airlines
The next step is to contact Frontier Airlines. You can call their customer service line at 801-401-9000 or use the live chat feature on their website, text them on WhatsApp, or visit the service desk at the airport. Be prepared to provide your flight information and explain the situation. The representative will help you find a solution, such as rebooking your flight or getting a refund.
3. Check for Compensation
If your flight was canceled due to reasons within the airline’s control, such as mechanical issues or crew shortages, you may be entitled to compensation, such as food vouchers or refunds. Check Frontier Airlines’ Customer Service Plan to see the most up-to-date qualifications for compensation.
4. Be Flexible
Don’t book a basic flight on Frontier unless you’re willing to be flexible. Consider alternative airports or travel dates that may be available. Frontier Airlines may also offer to rebook you on a different airline if they cannot accommodate you on their own flights.
5. Stay Informed
Finally, make sure to stay informed about your flight status. Check Frontier Airlines’ website or app for updates on your rebooking or refund. And definitely sign up for flight alerts to receive notifications about any changes to your itinerary.
Customer Service and Support
If you need assistance with your Frontier Airlines flight cancellation, the airline offers various customer service and support options to help you. Here are some ways you can get in touch with Frontier Airlines customer service:
Customer Support Page: Frontier Airlines has a comprehensive customer support page on their website that can help you with frequently asked questions, managing your booking, and more. You can access it at flyfrontier.com/customer-support.
Chat With Us: If you need immediate assistance, you can chat with a Frontier Airlines representative through their chatbot. You can access it at flyfrontier.com/chat-with-us.
Call Frontier Airlines: You can also call Frontier Airlines customer service at 801-401-9000. Keep in mind that wait times may be longer than usual due to high call volumes.
WhatsApp: Text Frontier Airlines directly by using WhatsApp.
Social Media: Frontier Airlines is active on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. If you prefer to reach out to them on social media, you can do so by sending them a direct message or mentioning them in a post.
When contacting Frontier Airlines customer service, be sure to have your booking confirmation code and any other relevant information ready, so they can help you as quickly as possible.
Preventing Future Frontier Airlines Flight Cancellations
If you’ve had a flight canceled with Frontier Airlines, you know how frustrating and stressful it can be. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to help prevent future cancellations and minimize the impact if they do occur.
Book Direct Flights
One of the easiest ways to reduce the risk of flight cancellations is to book direct flights whenever possible. This eliminates the need for connecting flights, which can be more prone to cancellations and delays. If you must book a connecting flight, try to choose a route with a layover in a city that doesn’t experience a lot of weather-related disruptions.
Check the Weather
Speaking of weather, it’s always a good idea to check the forecast for your departure and arrival cities before you book your flight. If there’s a high likelihood of severe weather, you might want to consider postponing your trip or choosing a different travel date. If you’re already booked and there’s a storm on the horizon, keep an eye on the airline’s website for updates and be prepared to be flexible with your travel plans.
Purchase Travel Insurance
While travel insurance won’t prevent a flight cancellation from happening, it can help minimize the financial impact if it does. Look for a policy that includes trip cancellation coverage or book with a credit card that provides trip insurance and will reimburse you for non-refundable expenses like airfare and hotel bookings if you have to cancel your trip due to a covered reason like illness or severe weather.
Know Your Rights
Finally, it’s important to familiarize yourself with Frontier Airlines’ cancellation policies and your rights as a passenger. If your flight is canceled, you may be entitled to compensation, a refund, or rebooking on another flight. Check the airline’s website or contact customer service to learn more about their policies and procedures.
Wrapping Up
Frontier Airlines’ cancellation policy can be a bit confusing if you’ve never had to deal with canceling or having a canceled flight before. If you know the cancellation fees and policies before booking, you’ll be in a lot better shape if something unexpected comes up.
Don’t be afraid of flying an ultra-low-cost carrier. I stayed away for years and paid A LOT more for flights at times. But if you have the flexibility and the understanding of what you’re getting into, you can enjoy those $19 one-way fares and start off that trip by saving some major $$$!
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my Frontier flight is canceled?
If your Frontier flight is canceled, you should first check your email and/or phone for any notifications from the airline, so you can make the proper selections regarding your trip. You can also check the status of your flight and flight details on Frontier’s website or mobile app.
How often does Frontier Airlines cancel flights?
Frontier Airlines cancels flights for a variety of reasons, including weather, mechanical issues, and crew availability. While cancellations can happen at any time, they are generally more common during peak travel periods and during inclement weather. However, Frontier Airlines strives to minimize cancellations and delays whenever possible.
Can I get a refund if my Frontier flight is canceled?
If your Frontier flight is canceled due to reasons within the airline’s control, such as mechanical issues or crew availability, you may be eligible for a refund. However, if the cancellation is due to weather or other factors outside of Frontier’s control, you may not be eligible for a refund. It is important to check Frontier’s cancellation and refund policies for more information.
Are there any alternatives if my Frontier flight is canceled?
If your Frontier flight is canceled, the airline will send you an email for you to make selections regarding your flight. You’ll have the option to choose the next available Frontier flight if there is room. However, if you need to reach your destination sooner, you may want to consider checking alternate flights with another airline. It is important to check Frontier’s policies on rebooking and refunds before making any decisions.
