How Does Spirit Airlines board?

[aubriee]

How does Spirit board? I know American does first class/elite, then boards back to front. Air Tran boards by zones (business class then the first few rows in coach for people who purchased those seats, then alternate back, front, middle-going zone 1 through zone 7). What's the boarding order for Spirit? Also do they usually have plenty of room for carryons in the overhead bins or are they like Air Tran where the last people on usually have to check their carry ons?

 

[Lewisc]

Spirit charges for bin bags. The charge is higher then the cost to check a bag. Everything I've read suggests there is no problem finding room in the bins. My understanding is passengers who pay for bin bags board first.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I suggest that you go to the Spirit website and read their baggage fee section carefully. They charge you for just about everything. Since you have to pay an absurd amount for a carry-on bag (more than a checked bag), I would guess that if you pay, you'll find space. According to seat guru, they board rear to front.

 

[Hasil72]

Spirit does everything opposite from most airlines. You're assigned Zone 1, 2, or 3. Zone 1 boards first and consists of Spirit Mastercard holders, passengers who paid for carry-ons and those who paid for the "big" seats. Then they board everyone else based on location starting in the front and working back.

 

[Keegansmommy]

Spirit did (not sure if they still do) allow a personal item which can include a backpack. We flew Spirit last June and my husband and I each brought a full size backpack. This saved a lot of room in our luggage so we only had to check two suitcases. You just have to make sure that it will squish down to fit their size requirements...they will check at the gate if it looks too big and they will charge you for it there. We just measured before we left and never had any problems!

 

[aubriee]

Spirit did (not sure if they still do) allow a personal item which can include a backpack. We flew Spirit last June and my husband and I each brought a full size backpack. This saved a lot of room in our luggage so we only had to check two suitcases. You just have to make sure that it will squish down to fit their size requirements...they will check at the gate if it looks too big and they will charge you for it there. We just measured before we left and never had any problems!

Knowing about their baggage fees, I bought a Revo Bolt tote. It's measurements are 16"x12"x9.5" and Spirit measurements for a personal item is listed as 16"x14"x12", so it should work. However, I received it the other day and it looks alot bigger than the personal items I am used to carrying. Of course it's soft, so it will squish and it would go sideways under the seat if it had to. I did measure it and those are the actual measurements. The way it's made though, I swear I could put enough stuff in there to last several days, especially if I use a small packing folder and a couple of smaller packing cubes. Hmmm, if I do laundry once during the week, I wonder if I could pack enough for 3 or 4 days in there. It might be interesting just to try. Do you think it'll fly or will they consider it too big? I usually use a Vera Bradley small duffel or Vera Bradley Weekender as a personal item, but according to their measurements those are too big. However, for some reason even though the measurements are smaller, it looks like the Revo Tote will hold a tad more (or at least the same).
http://www.ebags.com/product/revo/b...=10157973&sourceid=dealtime&couponid=86786467

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

You actually want to board the plane?
I'm sure there's a fee for that!

BobK/Orlando

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

You actually want to board the plane?
I'm sure there's a fee for that!

BobK/Orlando

No, the new fee is for O2 on the plane. Otherwise you can just hold your breath all the way to MCO

 

[aubriee]

You actually want to board the plane?
I'm sure there's a fee for that!

BobK/Orlando

No, the new fee is for O2 on the plane. Otherwise you can just hold your breath all the way to MCO

I've never flown Spirit, but I find it hard to believe that they can be as bad as some people say. I went in fully understanding they charge for carryons, checked bags, and seats, that they don't give free snacks, and their seats don't recline. Even with their extra fees they were about half what American, Delta, and Southwest were for that time ($148.00 plus fees) compared to over $400.00 everyone else was charging. They are just starting their route from DFW to MCO (March 22nd), so hope they will be on their best behavior until they get more established in Dallas. For less than half what the other airlines are charging right now, I can pay the bag fees and bring my own snacks. When Air Tran was here, they kept the other airlines in check, but since they pulled out Nov 22nd, airfare out of Dallas has skyrocketed and for the most part is more than double what it was just a few months ago. The base flight DFW to MCO was always around $220.00, but we could always find them on sale for $158.00-$198.00. Since Air Tran left in Nov, airfare now hovers around $450.00 r/t. If Spirit can get me from DFW to MCO for less than $200.00, I can put up with no snacks and bag fees. I normally pack light anyway and am not a picky customer. I usually try to sleep during flights anyway.

 

[dgr1973]

I've never flown Spirit, but I find it hard to believe that they can be as bad as some people say. I went in fully understanding they charge for carryons, checked bags, and seats, that they don't give free snacks, and their seats don't recline. Even with their extra fees they were about half what American, Delta, and Southwest were for that time ($148.00 plus fees) compared to over $400.00 everyone else was charging. They are just starting their route from DFW to MCO (March 22nd), so hope they will be on their best behavior until they get more established in Dallas. For less than half what the other airlines are charging right now, I can pay the bag fees and bri43ng my own snacks. When Air Tran was here, they kept the other airlines in check, but since they pulled out Nov 22nd, airfare out of Dallas has skyrocketed and for the most part is more than double what it was just a few months ago. The base flight DFW to MCO was always around $220.00, but we could always find them on sale for $158.00-$198.00. Since Air Tran left in Nov airfare now hovers around $450.00 r/t. If Spirit can get me from DFW to MCO for less than $200.00, I can put up with no snacks and bag fees. I normally pack light anyway and am not a picky customer. I usually try to sleep during flights anyway.

In my opinion they are not as bad as everyone says! We flew them last July to Vegas and it was just fine and I wouldnt hesitate to fly them again if the price is right. Yes they charge for all the extras but if you know that going into it then there shouldnt be a problem. I had a childs backpack with me and wasnt charged and we didnt take carryons that would have to be paid for. For our trip this June to Disney we are flying United but would have gone Spirit but their price wasnt any cheaper. You will be fine, dont worry!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Spirit will be fine, until there is a problem.

http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/spirit.htm

http://www.contacthelp.com/directory/Travel/Airlines/Spirit+Airlines?ListingID=1271

 

[Aristocath]

I've never flown Spirit, but I find it hard to believe that they can be as bad as some people say. I went in fully understanding they charge for carryons, checked bags, and seats, that they don't give free snacks, and their seats don't recline. Even with their extra fees they were about half what American, Delta, and Southwest were for that time ($148.00 plus fees) compared to over $400.00 everyone else was charging. They are just starting their route from DFW to MCO (March 22nd), so hope they will be on their best behavior until they get more established in Dallas. For less than half what the other airlines are charging right now, I can pay the bag fees and bring my own snacks. When Air Tran was here, they kept the other airlines in check, but since they pulled out Nov 22nd, airfare out of Dallas has skyrocketed and for the most part is more than double what it was just a few months ago. The base flight DFW to MCO was always around $220.00, but we could always find them on sale for $158.00-$198.00. Since Air Tran left in Nov, airfare now hovers around $450.00 r/t. If Spirit can get me from DFW to MCO for less than $200.00, I can put up with no snacks and bag fees. I normally pack light anyway and am not a picky customer. I usually try to sleep during flights anyway.

I was just pricing a fall trip for my youngest son and myself. I hadn't looked at DFW to MCO fares since our last trip in 2010. Holy cow! We had been taking AirTran because of the low fares so to see $450 to $528 fares was mind boggling. It looks like the only nonstop out of DFW other than American is Spirit. I'll be looking for your report on how it went!

 

[luckyman_apd]

I know this is an old thread, but Spirit can be great....and can be horrible. Online reviews will be bad period. No one goes online to write good reviews....that takes time...and nobody does it unless they are pissed off. With that said, Spirit has had problems being on time with Florida weather. Many of their East coast routes (AC, BOS) to MCO start and end the day in a Florida airport...and one storm can push back the whole days schedule. We've always been fine until Dec 2015 and Jan 2016 we got delayed quite a bit because of Morning florida weather.

Spirit does NOT comply with other airlines fees policies and THIS is where people get pissed off. BUT....if you read the guidelines and policies, you CAN possibly save a bundle. I've flown Spirit a lot because they have been so cheap. But I know what I'm getting into with them. (Fees, lower checked bag Weight, free personal size) Many who don't know their policies are the ones who complain. Personally I loved flying Southwest and do miss it everytime a board a spirit plane....but I also will be flying to MCO for the third time on Spirit Tomorrow for the same price it would have cost me the first time on Southwest. 3 flights there and back for the price of 1 is a no brainer for me.

 

[luckyman_apd]

I realize that I haven't actually answered the OP question (although I'm sure it has been figured out by now).. Zone 1 boarding is reserved for those who purchased a carry on bag (bigger than the personal free bag). Zone 2 is for people who booked with a Spirit Master card or who paid $5.99 a person at check in to board early. Zone 3 and up is everyone else depending on Check_in order. Zone 4 and up are the last to board. Many times they will call zone 1, then 2.....and not wait more than a minute before calling zone 3 and at time all the people are crashing the line anyway. It gets me quite angry when a zone 3 cuts in front of my zone 2.

 

[seashoreCM]

I've never flown Spirit, but I find it hard to believe that they can be as bad as some people say. (snip) If Spirit can get me from DFW to MCO for less than .

The biggest problem with Spirit compared with larger more established airlines is the greater uncertainty of getting you there if there is a cancellation or other flight irregularity together with a greater hassle of getting a refund when you finally give up and go via a different airline (or don't go at all).

 

[Keacc]

Does Spirit let families with small children board early?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I found this regarding Spirit's boarding

"Spirit: No family boarding, no in-flight entertainment, and plenty of fees for checked bags, carry-on bags, and seat assignments make this a difficult airline for families (and everyone else). "

Read more: http://thepointsguy.com/2013/09/the-most-family-friendly-airlines-for-domestic-and-short-haul-flights/#ixzz4DXloSfNM

 

[Pmlocke]

WOW. That's a lot of bad reviews from a lot of people. I have traveled Spirit to WDW every year (February) since 2009. I have found the service to be wonderful. I travel Spirit because of the prices and because I have never had any problems with this airline. I have only had a flight delayed once and that was due to the weather in Detroit where I fly out of. We were delayed one hour to clear the runways of the snow and ice that had fallen in the early morning. You can't blame the airline for that. It's a 2.5 hour flight. I have a good breakfast before I board so I don't really need anything once I'm on board. I do carry on a bottle of water, just in case I get thirsty. I carry on a bag, free of charge because I know what size is eligible and I am prepared. I have flown to Orlando for $34.00 with an extra $20.00 for my booked luggage. Show me another airline at those prices and I will switch. Recently I have started to book the larger seats in the front of the plane. Best $20.00 I have ever spent. I do check with other airlines religiously but have found Spirit to continously beat them every time. As for the boarding policy-my wife and I are usually the last ones on the plane. We sit in the terminal, reading our paper until the line had dwindled down to nothing. I never saw the thrill of being the first to board. The plane isn't going to leave early just because I got aboard so what is the big deal with when you get to board in the first place? Just to prove my case, we were going to Jacksonville, FL for a wedding in 2013. Since Spirit doesn't fly into Jacksonville we looked at other airlines. I finally decided to fly to Orlando early, stay a few days at WDW and then rented a car for $70.00 to drive up to Jacksonville for the wedding. I saved $700.00 in airfare doing that and got a second trip to Disney for that year.