Frontier Airlines Adds Free Checked Bag Deal After Southwest Policy Changes

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• Frontier Airlines is offering a complimentary checked bag, carry-on, seat selection, and flight changes for nonstop flights booked by March 24.
• This promotion follows Southwest Airlines' recent announcement to end its free checked bag policy, a move that has been met with resistance from some customers.

When one free checked bag policy ends, another begins. 

Frontier Airlines will offer customers a free checked bag on select flights through this summer.

“We’ve always had heart,” Frontier CEO Barry Biffle said in a news release on Tuesday. “Some airlines are walking away from what travelers love, but we’re running towards it. Think of this as the ultimate ‘divorce your old airline’ deal.”

Customers will get complimentary to the carrier’s economy bundle – which also includes a free carry-on, seat selection and flight changes – for nonstop flights through Aug. 18. The free checked bag promo applies to flights departing between May 28 and Aug. 18 with the promo code FREEBAG. Travelers must book by March 24.

The airline said it may make the deal permanent depending on customer response. “At the end of the day, travelers just want to be valued,” Biffle added. “We’re bringing back the things people love about flying - free bags, free seat selection, and flexibility - without the extra fees. No games, just great value.”

The offer comes after Southwest announced last week that it would end its long-standing two-free checked bags policy for most passengers. The move is one of several major changes at the airline, from the addition of premium seating to seat assignments, and prompted pushback from some loyal flyers.

Frontier has revealed its own updates in recent months, such as first-class seats that will debut on its planes later this year.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.