Often times we find ourselves sitting at our computers, fantasizing about our next relaxing getaway or fun-filled adventure. As the minutes slowly pass by while attempting to focus on whatever task is at hand, maybe you find yourself opening a new tab and venturing to one of my favorite sites: Google Flights. You type in that dream destination or use the Explore feature and are blown away by a surprisingly cheap airfare! Excitement takes over as you start mentally planning your next great trip. And then you see it: that cheap fare Google Flights showed at first just so happens to be on Spirit.
Recently, I found myself in that exact situation while planning a trip to Nashville, TN (more on that to come!) and decided to ignore the horror stories and give the flying yellow school bus a fair shot. Yes, speaking of those horror stories, we’ve all seen the videos on TikTok or have read countless blog posts and articles completely admonishing the airline. Yet, still I really wanted to go to Nashville – and seeing all the other flights available costing at least double the price of Spirit, how bad could it really be?
Here, I am going to breakdown my thoughts on the American Ultra Low Cost Carrier (ULCC) and offer a few tips from my experience. So please fasten your seatbelts and prepare for takeoff as we dive into Spirit Airlines.
History and Background
Spirit Airlines, founded in 1980 and headquartered in Dania Beach, Florida, USA, is known for its low-cost carrier model in the airline industry. Initially founded in 1983 as Charter One, the airline rebranded to Spirit Airlines in 1992. Throughout its history, Spirit has focused on offering budget-friendly fares by charging for optional services and amenities.
In the early 2000s, Spirit underwent financial restructuring and adopted an ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) model to stay competitive. This shift allowed Spirit to expand rapidly and increase its route network, primarily serving destinations across the Americas. Despite challenges and occasional controversies related to customer service and fees, Spirit Airlines has maintained a significant presence in the industry by consistently offering affordable travel options.
Over the years, Spirit has continued to innovate in the low-cost segment, introducing features like "Big Front Seat" options for more comfortable seating and expanding its fleet of Airbus aircraft. In 2010, Spirit Airlines became the first U.S. airline to charge passengers for carry-on bags. They were later followed by Allegiant Air and Frontier Airlines.
Spirit Airlines has faced various challenges typical of the airline industry, including labor disputes, operational disruptions, and economic downturns. Nevertheless, it remains a key player in the low-cost carrier market, known for its distinctive yellow livery and spirited approach to affordable air travel.
Destinations
At the time of writing, Spirit flies to 91 destinations throughout Central America, the Caribbean, South America, and the United States.
Fleet
Spirit Airlines operates a fleet entirely composed of Airbus aircraft consisting predominantly of Airbus A320 family jets, including A319s, A320s, and A321s. These aircraft are configured to maximize efficiency and passenger capacity, supporting Spirit’s low-cost carrier model by offering economical operations and competitive fares. The airline has continued to modernize its fleet, transitioning to newer Airbus models like the A320neo and A321neo, which offer enhanced fuel efficiency and environmental performance. Overall, Spirit Airlines’ fleet strategy focuses on maintaining a standardized and efficient fleet of Airbus aircraft to support its extensive network of domestic and international routes.
Is Spirit Airlines Safe?
One of the biggest questions and misconceptions stems from the most crucial question in all of air travel: Is Spirit safe? We’ve all heard the jokes about Spirit Airlines being dangerous or unsafe (much like the countless videos of “rough” landings), but I’m here to tell you that Spirit is every bit as safe as any of the big name airlines. But first, one of my favorite jokes:
What’s Spirit Airlines’ favorite in-flight movie? “Up in Smoke.”
All jokes aside, the fact of the matter is that Spirit is one of the safest airlines in America. In their now 40 year operational history, Spirit has never had a fatal accident. Additionally, with all the recent issues surrounding Boeing and especially the 737 MAX, Spirit’s entire fleet is comprised of Airbus aircraft. Lastly, the FAA sets forth very strict regulations and requirements concerning everything from maintenance, inspections, safety, and pilot training in which every airline, including Spirit, must comply. There is absolutely no merit to the never-ending jokes and memes, although, they are kind of funny to scroll through.
Where the Costs Add Up
Wait a minute! What happened to that low fare I saw? Ah, the timeless question we’ve all asked when we go to book our flight thinking we’re about to travel for that very, very low price, only to find out it is going to cost every bit as much as the other airlines. As part of their Ultra Low Cost business model, Spirit has an endless trove of additional fees surely to get you excited about your upcoming adventure!
Have a carry-on bag? That’ll cost you. Traveling for a week or more and want to check a bag? That’ll cost you too. Snacks? There’s a fee for that. In-Flight wifi? Get your credit card ready. Want to pick your seat in advance so you can guarantee you’ll be sitting next to your friend/loved one/adventure buddy? Well, it seems many other airlines are doing this now as well, but that will cost you, too! More about bags and luggage to come…
The first time I even considered flying Spirit was while planning a trip to the beautiful Caribbean island of Sint Maarten. Seeing I would need at least a carry-on bag and wanting to select my seats in advance, the cost quickly rose to the same price as Delta. Ultimately, I chose to fly with Delta because if it’s going to cost the same, I might as well enjoy the comforts Spirit just doesn’t offer. However, when flying to Nashville, Spirit was the perfect choice as I was able to travel without any additional bags beyond a personal item sized backpack. In this specific case, the price I saw was indeed the price I paid.
So, in summary, that enticingly low price you first saw in the beginning includes nothing more than a seat on the plane, an appropriately sized personal item, and the ability to fly from point A to point B. If you can work within those constraints, then Spirit absolutely has a deal for you!
What to Expect
Ok, you’ve booked that flight on Spirit Airlines! What on earth are we getting ourselves into?
Checking In
I highly recommend downloading the Spirit Airlines app. Checking in opens 24 hours prior to your flight time and I found the process to be quite simple using the app. In a matter of just a few minutes, I had checked in for our flight and our boarding passes digitally accessible on the app. If apps aren’t your thing or you’re tired of every single thing in life requiring an app, Spirit offers kiosks in the airport to print off your boarding pass.
Luggage
As I previously mentioned, Spirit charges a fee for any additional luggage past your personal item allowance. Your personal item must be smaller than 18” x 14” x 8”. I traveled with this awesome travel backpack that fit those dimensions exactly. However, if the gate agent sees a bag that they believe to be larger than the allowed dimensions, they will pull you out of the boarding line and make you test your bag in the sizer next to the gate. If it doesn’t fit, you will be forced to pay an exorbitant fee for your bag because…
…bags not purchased online at the time of booking come with an even higher fee if added at the airport. This applies to all carry-on and checked luggage. Please for the love of all things travel, if you are flying with bags on Spirit, pay for them at the time of booking and make sure your personal item fits the allowable dimensions. A lot of the negative reviews I’ve seen come from people not understanding Spirit’s bag policies. Other airlines will let you get away with over sized backpacks or duffel bags, but Spirit absolutely does not play around. If you exceed the dimensions or do not add bags at the time of booking, don’t say I didn’t warn you when Spirit hits you with a bag fee that possibly costs more than your original airfare.
The Plane
As I mentioned above, Spirit exclusively employs Airbus aircraft. For our flight to Nashville, we were on an Airbus a320-200. The a320 has a 3-3 seating arrangement, meaning three seats on either side with an aisle down the center. Outside of the bright yellow exterior, the inside of the plane was clean and quiet.
The Seats
As far as the seats were concerned, they were certainly not the most comfortable thing I have ever sat on. The seats felt like sitting on a piece of wood wrapped in faux leather with as little cushioning as possible. Also, the seats do not recline, which I actually like because I almost never recline my seat, but always seem to have people in front of me that recline back as far as they possibly can and then try to push their seat back even more! Personally, I wish more airlines would get rid of reclining seats for all regional flights (long haul and international flights excluded – we all need our beauty sleep). With that said, for a short flight it wasn’t terribly uncomfortable, but I would not want to be sitting in those seats for more than a couple of hours.
How's the Legroom?
Honestly, it’s tight – but that is to be expected on a budget airline. However, as a 6’2” man, I fit without having the seat in front of me touching my knees. That’s better than I can say for a recent flight on Air Canada from Montreal where the seatback in front of me was jammed into my knees the entire flight or the awful legroom I experienced on now-defunct airline AeroSur when flying several years ago to Bolivia.
In-Flight Entertainment
Ok, I’m on the plane and in my seat, how do I keep myself entertained? My answer: pack a book. Spirit does not offer any in-flight entertainment screens as part of their low-cost business model. There will be no movies, shows, podcasts, or games and you won’t find a travel map anywhere to keep tabs on just how much longer you’re stuck on the plane. Spirit likes to boast having “the fastest wi-fi of any airline in the US” so obviously you can use your own personal device for entertainment, but as with everything else on Spirit, it comes with a fee.
Refreshments
Pack a snack or bring an empty water bottle to fill post security, because Spirit does not offer any complimentary snacks or beverages – including water. (There was a video circulating on social media of a man throwing a fit about not even being able to get water without paying for it, but he really should have flown another airline if he wanted to quench his thirst with one of life’s necessities for survival). Spirit does offer an a-la-carte menu of snacks and beverages for purchase, but if you were excitedly waiting all day for Biscoff and a ginger ale, you will sadly be disappointed.
Delays and Cancelations
Spirit Airlines has faced challenges with delays and cancellations, which have been a point of contention among passengers. These issues are often attributed to a variety of factors, including operational disruptions, weather conditions, and occasional labor-related disputes. The airline's ultra-low-cost model, which relies on quick turnarounds and high aircraft utilization rates, can sometimes contribute to operational pressures leading to delays, and lead to further difficulties for passengers as they do not have additional planes on “stand-by” to fill in when needed. Delays and cancelations remain a concern for Spirit Airlines, affecting passenger experience and occasionally attracting media attention.
Luckily, both our flights to and from Nashville were not only on-time, but early. However, if travel is disrupted, it can cause immense challenges for re-scheduling flights, often leaving passengers stranded. Many complaints also arise regarding customer service’s handling of such situations and having to fight Spirit for timely re-booking and hotel reimbursement when necessary. If everything runs smoothly, there are no issues, but as the saying goes, “when it rains, it pours.”