Florida is the king of the budget getaway. You want the sun, the sand, and maybe a giant mouse, but you don't want to hand over your entire paycheck just to get there. That is usually where Frontier Airlines enters the chat.
They are the lime-green siren call of the sky. You see a $19 fare from Philadelphia to Orlando and you think, "That's literally cheaper than my lunch." And it is. But if you walk into a Frontier flight without a plan, that $19 seat will morph into a $150 headache faster than you can say "checked bag."
Frontier cheap flights to florida are a game. You’ve gotta know the rules, or the house wins.
The $19 Myth and the Reality of Florida Fares
Let’s be real. Frontier is basically a bus with wings, and they are proud of it. Their business model is "unbundling." You pay for the seat (the "Basic" fare), and everything else—and I mean everything—is an add-on.
Right now, in early 2026, we’re seeing some wild deals. We’re talking Cleveland to Tampa for $19 or Cincinnati to Orlando for $39. These aren't fake. I just checked the live schedules for February and March 2026. If you are a Discount Den member, those prices are everywhere.
But here is the catch. Frontier is aggressive about their "New Frontier" initiative. They've changed how they handle bags and seating recently. If you show up at the gate with a carry-on that doesn't fit in the sizer, they will charge you $99 on the spot. No jokes. No mercy.
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How to Actually Get Those Frontier Cheap Flights to Florida
If you want the lowest possible price, you need to be a little obsessive. Or just smart.
- The Tuesday/Wednesday Rule: It’s a cliché because it’s true. Midweek flights to MCO (Orlando), FLL (Fort Lauderdale), or TPA (Tampa) are consistently 15% to 20% cheaper than Friday or Sunday flights.
- The Discount Den Factor: This costs $99.99 for the first year ($59.99 membership plus a $40 enrollment fee). Is it worth it? If you are flying a family of four to Florida once a year, yes. One person pays for the membership, and up to 9 people on the same reservation get the lower fare. Plus, "Kids Fly Free" is a real thing on select dates for members.
- Book 43 Days Out: According to 2025 and 2026 booking data from sources like Google Flights, 43 days is the "sweet spot" for domestic US flights.
New Routes You Probably Didn't Know About
Frontier is expanding like crazy this year. They just launched (or are about to launch) several new Florida connections.
- Orlando (MCO) to Pensacola (PNS): Starting February 13, 2026.
- Miami (MIA) to Chicago O'Hare (ORD): Also February 13.
- Newark (EWR) to Orlando (MCO): This one just kicked off in late January.
They are also hitting secondary markets harder. If you’re near Islip, NY or Trenton, NJ, you can often find direct shots into Florida that avoid the chaos of JFK or PHL.
The Bag Trap: Don't Get Got
Frontier’s baggage policy is the #1 way people lose money.
A personal item is free. It must be 14"H x 18"W x 8"D. That is basically a small school backpack. If you can fit four days of shorts and t-shirts into a small bag, you win the game.
If you need a carry-on or a checked bag, pay for it when you book the flight. Wait until you get to the airport? You'll pay $79 at the kiosk.
Wait until the gate? $99.
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Also, watch the weight. Most airlines give you 50 lbs for a checked bag. Frontier cuts you off at 40 lbs. If you hit 41 lbs, they slap a $75 overweight fee on you. I’ve seen people at the Orlando airport frantically moving underwear from one bag to another to avoid that fee. It’s not a vibe.
The GoWild! Pass: Genius or Garbage?
You’ve probably seen the ads for the "All-You-Can-Fly" pass. For 2026-2027, the annual pass has been hovering around $349 as an introductory price.
Here is the truth: The GoWild! Pass is for people with zero responsibilities. You can only confirm domestic flights one day before departure. If you want to head to Miami on a whim on a Tuesday, it’s amazing. If you have a hotel booked in Disney World for a specific week in June, the pass is a massive gamble. You might not get a seat.
Actionable Tips for Your Florida Trip
Stop thinking like a legacy airline passenger. You aren't on Delta.
Download the app. Seriously. Frontier is moving away from paper and human interaction. You can check in on the app, get your boarding pass, and track your bags. If you have to talk to an agent at the desk for something the app could have done, they might charge you a "service fee."
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Bring your own snacks. Frontier doesn't give you a free ginger ale. They don't give you peanuts. They will sell you a $4 bottle of water, though. Save that money for a Cuban sandwich in Tampa or a overpriced cocktail at South Beach.
Consider the "UpFront Plus" seating. If you hate being cramped, Frontier now offers a middle-seat-guaranteed-empty section in the first two rows. It’s their version of "business lite." In early 2026, they are even rolling out a more formal First Class product, which is a wild shift for a budget airline.
Next Steps for You
Before you hit "buy" on those frontier cheap flights to florida, do these three things:
- Measure your backpack. Use a tape measure. If it’s 9 inches deep instead of 8, it might not fit the sizer, and that's an expensive mistake.
- Check the secondary airports. If you’re going to Miami, check Fort Lauderdale (FLL). If you’re going to Tampa, check Sarasota (SRQ). Sometimes the savings are worth the 45-minute Uber.
- Price out the "Bundle." Sometimes "The Works" bundle (which includes a bag, seat selection, and refundability) is actually cheaper than adding those things individually.
Frontier is a tool. Use it right, and you’re flying to Florida for the price of a tank of gas. Use it wrong, and you’ll wish you just stayed home.