You're standing in Hartsfield-Jackson, the busiest airport on the planet, looking at the departures board. You see that green plane with a giant wolf or a literal bald eagle on the tail. It’s Frontier. The price for Frontier Airlines Atlanta to Denver is, quite frankly, absurdly low—sometimes less than the cost of a decent steak dinner in Midtown. But then you start hearing the whispers or reading the horror stories on Reddit about "hidden fees" and "cramped seats."
Honestly? Most of the frustration comes from people treating Frontier like they’re flying Delta. You can’t do that. If you approach this three-and-a-half-hour hop across the country with the right strategy, it’s the ultimate travel hack. If you don't, it's a headache.
The ATL to DIA Reality Check
Atlanta (ATL) and Denver (DEN) are both massive hubs. For Frontier, Denver is home base. This means the Frontier Airlines Atlanta to Denver route is high-frequency, but it also means the gates are often tucked away in the far corners of the concourses. In Atlanta, you're usually trekking out to Concourse D. In Denver, you’re landing at the A Gates, which requires a train ride to get to baggage claim.
Distance matters. We are talking about roughly 1,200 miles. It’s not a short puddle jumper. You’re in the air for about 3 hours and 15 minutes going west, and usually a bit under 3 hours heading back east thanks to the jet stream.
Why the Price Varies So Much
Frontier uses dynamic pricing that would make a stockbroker dizzy. I’ve seen tickets for $39, and I’ve seen them for $350 during a holiday weekend. The "Discount Den" membership is their big hook. It costs about $60 a year (plus a $40 enrollment fee usually), and it legitimately lowers the fare. If you’re flying this route more than twice a year, the math actually works out in your favor. But if this is a one-time thing? Skip the membership.
Let’s Talk About the "Hidden" Costs
People call them hidden. Frontier calls them "unbundled." Basically, your seat is just a spot on the floor unless you pay up.
👉 See also: US States I Have Been To: Why Your Travel Map Is Probably Lying To You
- The Bag Situation: This is where they get you. A carry-on often costs more than a checked bag. Read that again. If you try to sneak a "personal item" that is actually a massive backpack, the gate agents in Atlanta are notorious for checking. They have those metal sizers. If it doesn't fit, you're paying $99 at the gate. It's brutal.
- Seat Selection: On the Atlanta to Denver run, you might want to pick a seat. The standard seats are "pre-reclined." That’s marketing speak for "they don't move."
- Water: Nothing is free. Not even a cup of water. Bring an empty bottle and fill it up at the stations near the Gate D20 area in Atlanta.
The Fleet and the Experience
Frontier flies an all-Airbus fleet. You’re mostly looking at A320neos or the larger A211neos. The "neo" part is actually good for you—these planes are newer, quieter, and more fuel-efficient.
The seats are thin. They call them "slimline" seats. For a two-hour flight, they’re fine. For three and a half hours from Georgia to Colorado, your lower back might start to protest around the Kansas-Colorado border. If you’re over six feet tall, the exit row isn't just a luxury; it's a necessity.
The "Works" vs. The "Perks"
Frontier recently revamped their "bundles." They realized people hated being nickeled and dimed. You can now buy packages like "The Works" which includes a carry-on, checked bag, seat selection, and—critically—refundability.
Is it worth it for Frontier Airlines Atlanta to Denver?
Check the total price against United or Delta. If the Frontier bundle is within $40 of a Delta "Main Cabin" fare, take the Delta flight. Delta flies out of the more convenient concourses in ATL and gives you free snacks and screens. But if Frontier is still $150 cheaper even with the bundle, the savings are too big to ignore.
✨ Don't miss: UNESCO World Heritage Places: What Most People Get Wrong About These Landmarks
Navigating the Airports
Leaving Atlanta (ATL)
Give yourself time. Even with TSA PreCheck, the North Security checkpoint in Atlanta can be a circus. Since Frontier is in Concourse D, you’ll be taking the Plane Train. Pro tip: if the train is packed, you can walk between the concourses. The walk from C to D features a pretty cool "Rainforest" art installation. It’s a good way to stretch your legs before being squeezed into a middle seat.
Arriving in Denver (DEN)
Denver International Airport is famous for two things: its white tent roof and the conspiracy theories about "Blucifer," the giant blue horse statue with glowing red eyes.
When you land on Frontier, you’ll be at Concourse A. You don’t actually have to take the train to get to the main terminal (Jeppesen Terminal) from A; there’s a pedestrian bridge. It’s the only concourse with a bridge. Use it. The views of the planes taxiing beneath you are incredible, and it’s way less stressful than the crowded train.
Weather Delays: The Denver Factor
Denver weather is bipolar. You can have a 70-degree day followed by a blizzard four hours later. Frontier's business model relies on "quick turns." The plane lands, everyone gets off, new people get on, and it takes off again in 45 minutes.
If there is a snow delay in Denver, the whole system collapses. Because Frontier doesn't have the massive fleet depth of a legacy carrier, one delayed plane in Denver can cause a "rolling delay" for your flight departing Atlanta. Always check the inbound flight status on an app like FlightAware. If the plane coming from Denver to pick you up in Atlanta hasn't left Colorado yet, don't bother rushing to the airport.
🔗 Read more: Tipos de cangrejos de mar: Lo que nadie te cuenta sobre estos bichos
Nuance: The Middle Seat "Benefit"
Here is something nobody talks about: Frontier’s middle seats are actually an inch wider than the window and aisle seats. It’s a peace offering for being stuck in the middle. On an A320, the middle seat is 19 inches wide, while the others are 18. It doesn't sound like much, but when you're rubbing shoulders with a stranger for 1,200 miles, that inch is a godsend.
Is Frontier "Safe"?
Yes. This is a common misconception. People equate "cheap" with "unsafe." In the United States, every airline operates under the same FAA Part 121 regulations. Frontier actually has one of the youngest fleets in the industry. Their pilots go through the same rigorous training as those at American or Southwest. The "cheapness" comes from the service and the interior, not the engines or the cockpit.
Real World Strategy for ATL to DEN
I’ve done this route. Here is the move:
Pack a heavy coat if you’re heading to the Rockies, but wear it onto the plane. Don't pack it. It takes up too much room in your "personal item" bag. Buy your snacks at the Hudson News in Atlanta. Frontier’s onboard prices are high, and the selection is basically just beef jerky and Pringles.
Also, download your movies before you leave your house. There is no Wi-Fi on Frontier. None. Not even paid Wi-Fi. If you don't have a book or a downloaded Netflix series, you will be staring at the back of a plastic seat for three hours.
Actionable Steps for Your Flight
- Download the Frontier App 24 hours prior: Check in exactly at the 24-hour mark. If you didn't pay for a seat, this is your best chance to avoid being assigned the very last row next to the lavatory.
- Measure your bag at home: If your bag is 18" x 14" x 8", you are safe. If it’s 19", you are gambling. Use a soft-sided backpack; they are easier to squish into the sizer.
- Check the Concourse D food options: ATL Concourse D has limited food compared to E or F. Grab a "Chicken Salad Chick" or "Five Guys" before you get to your gate, because the gate area for Frontier is usually standing-room only.
- Use the bridge in Denver: When landing at DEN, follow the signs for "Bridge to Terminal" to skip the train madness and get to baggage claim or the Uber/Lyft pickup faster.
- Bundle only if necessary: Calculate the cost of an individual bag vs. the "Perks" bundle. Often, paying for one checked bag and letting them randomly assign your seat is the cheapest way to fly Frontier Airlines Atlanta to Denver without losing your mind.
If you go into this expecting a luxury experience, you'll be miserable. If you go into it treating the plane like a flying bus that gets you to the mountains for $60, you've won the travel game.