Anyone Fly Spirit??

[allonte]

I'm thinking about booking our tickets to MCO on Spirit from Detroit because I can get a round trip for about $199 right now. But is Spirit a good airline? I know AirTran is good but they are too expensive right now. What do you think? Should I go with Spirit or hold out for SW?

 

[grammagail]

My only other trip to Disney (besides our upcoming one) - we flew on Spirit - out of Metro Detroit. We had absolutely no problems with them at all. I booked online - got R/T for $174 pp (June 2004). As a lot of people say - it's no frills - but I have only flown a few times and didn't even notice it.

I wanted to go thru them again for our Feb. 2006 trip - but the rates were hovering at $333pp - so I decided to go with AirTran out of Flint. Got them for $223.

Now - I'm sorta nervous cuz I've never flown on them before The airports are about equal distrance from my home - so I"ve got my fingers crossed.

 

[allonte]

I've flown AirTran and I liked them! They have satellite radio in every seat so bring some headphones. The flight crew was very friendly and I'd fly them again if the price was right.

 

[TAKitty]

I love spirit because for me it is nonstop. They have some new planes with leather seats and moveable headrests. I booked last Friday for 54 each way to Orlando. I checked yesterday and noticed that the price was back up to 199. If you are going in the summer I would wait until they drop again. I fly from Detroit.

 

[allonte]

I love spirit because for me it is nonstop. They have some new planes with leather seats and moveable headrests. I booked last Friday for 54 each way to Orlando. I checked yesterday and noticed that the price was back up to 199. If you are going in the summer I would wait until they drop again. I fly from Detroit.

Thanks! I'll wait.

 

[antmaril]

We flew from Detroit to Orlando on Spirit last week. Our outbound flight was delayed 3.5 hours, but that can happen on any airline. They gave us coupons for 10% off our next flight and free drink coupons because of the delay.

Our return flight was uneventful. I have flown Spirit Airlines several times and have not had any major problems. Some of the planes are new and that is nice.

 

[airplane]

I have flown Spirit many, many times. I would not hestitate to use them. If I am not traveling during a busy time, I wait for the airfares to drop before I purchase the tickets. Good luck on getting a cheaper price and make sure you sign up for their email specials. Oh and bring your own snack.

 

[grammagail]

I love spirit because for me it is nonstop. They have some new planes with leather seats and moveable headrests. I booked last Friday for 54 each way to Orlando. I checked yesterday and noticed that the price was back up to 199. If you are going in the summer I would wait until they drop again. I fly from Detroit.

I'm so jealous $108 RT? From Detroit? What an AWSOME price. I know we only paid like $174 r/t pp back in June 2004.....so that was what I was basing this trip on. Was disappointed that nothing (except for 1 day that we didn't book) has been under $300 since (2/23-28/06)

 

[CleveRocks]

I've used Spirit for years, no significant complaints. They are the only airline serving our supposed "international" airport here in Atlantic City.

Spirit is one of the few profitable airlines in the country right now -- no need to fear bankruptcy problems!

It's a no-frills airline, but it works well. Go for it!

-- Eric

 

[MDM]

Flew out of LGA in NYC to MCO. late going 1.5 hours, over 3 on the way back. The plane was coming in from Montego BAy and the plane needed to be searched and cleaned and god knows whatelse but I will never fly spirit again.

MDM

 

[DisneyPhD]

We flew from Detroit to Orlando on Spirit last week. Our outbound flight was delayed 3.5 hours, but that can happen on any airline. They gave us coupons for 10% off our next flight and free drink coupons because of the delay.

Our return flight was uneventful. I have flown Spirit Airlines several times and have not had any major problems. Some of the planes are new and that is nice.

We have also flown Spirit many times, up until this last trip no real problems.

However we flew Jan4 th from DTW to MCO and had an hour delay (waiting for a crew member to show up.)

The flight home we had an almost 5 hour delay on Jan 11th. The plane was supost to leave at 6:30, we didn't take off until 11:15 a night. That was a long and unpleasent wait in the airport. The staff was very poor about taking complaints. Infact since being home I have emailed them and haven't even heard a word back from them. IMO 10% off is nothing. (they didn't actually give it to us, just offered it.) They didn't even offer any food (over a dinner hour and a very long delay.)

If you had asked me earlier I would of said YES FLY SPIRIT, we love them.

Not so much anymore, and after what antmaril said it really makes me think this is more common. Ours was not a weather delay.

DH wonders if their new flights out of the country is making it more compliacted.

 

[TAKitty]

I'm so jealous $108 RT? From Detroit? What an AWSOME price. I know we only paid like $174 r/t pp back in June 2004.....so that was what I was basing this trip on. Was disappointed that nothing (except for 1 day that we didn't book) has been under $300 since (2/23-28/06)

Check every day on the spirit website . That is how I always find good deals.

 

[antmaril]

We have also flown Spirit many times, up until this last trip no real problems.

However we flew Jan4 th from DTW to MCO and had an hour delay (waiting for a crew member to show up.)

The flight home we had an almost 5 hour delay on Jan 11th. The plane was supost to leave at 6:30, we didn't take off until 11:15 a night. That was a long and unpleasent wait in the airport. The staff was very poor about taking complaints. Infact since being home I have emailed them and haven't even heard a word back from them. IMO 10% off is nothing. (they didn't actually give it to us, just offered it.) They didn't even offer any food (over a dinner hour and a very long delay.)

If you had asked me earlier I would of said YES FLY SPIRIT, we love them.

Not so much anymore, and after what antmaril said it really makes me think this is more common. Ours was not a weather delay.

DH wonders if their new flights out of the country is making it more compliacted.

I agree that the 10% off is really nothing. Last year (New Year's Day) we flew home from Fort Myers on Spirit and our flight was delayed several hours. We were each given $100 vouchers towards future travel. In my opinion, that was a much better way to handle the delay.

We were delayed two weeks ago because the plane we were supposed to be on (which was coming from Fort Lauderdale) depressurized (sp?) after take off and was diverted to Orlando. We then had to wait for a plane coming from West Palm Beach.

I'm not sure Spirit is any worse than other airlines. I've had long delays on Northwest and Southwest, as well.

Let's face it - every time you go to the airport for a flight, it's a crapshoot!

 

[DisneyPhD]

I agree that the 10% off is really nothing. Last year (New Year's Day) we flew home from Fort Myers on Spirit and our flight was delayed several hours. We were each given $100 vouchers towards future travel. In my opinion, that was a much better way to handle the delay.

We were delayed two weeks ago because the plane we were supposed to be on (which was coming from Fort Lauderdale) depressurized (sp?) after take off and was diverted to Orlando. We then had to wait for a plane coming from West Palm Beach.

I'm not sure Spirit is any worse than other airlines. I've had long delays on Northwest and Southwest, as well.

Let's face it - every time you go to the airport for a flight, it's a crapshoot!

100$ off is more what I was thinking. I should really call tmw and complain that no one every called me back. Our flight was 2 weeks ago also, so either it was a back week for them, or this is becoming a pattern.

Spirit used to be my airline of choice. Now I am looking into NW more. Yes delays happen, but it apears more common and Spirit, and they don't seem concerned about keeping our busniess. The prices aren't looking as good for many flights too.

I did like the new airplane, the seats with the head rests that turned up on the sides to support your head was very nice. (Considering our flight didn't get in until 2:00 am.)

In the OP question, if the price is really good give it a try, but we warned their recent track record is not as good as it used to be.

 

[TAKitty]

In the OP question, if the price is really good give it a try, but we warned their recent track record is not as good as it used to be.

To be fair, a couple bad experience with the 100s of flights they have doesn't mean their track record isn't good. I flew NW in Dec. because they were cheaper and we were delayed on that flight. It is true that you just never know.

 

[briarberry]

We flew Spirit in August 04 and ended up driving home due to a hurricane that closed MCO two hours before our flight. Our travel agent got us a full refund on the unused flight. I never thought we would have our $ refunded because it was an act of nature.
I just booked return airfare from Detroit to MCO for this August. It was only $216 for two of us!
I have no problems booking with Spirit!

 

[DisneyPhD]

To be fair, a couple bad experience with the 100s of flights they have doesn't mean their track record isn't good. I flew NW in Dec. because they were cheaper and we were delayed on that flight. It is true that you just never know.

Delays happen in any airline, but it does seem to me that is more then a couple bad experinces if they had at least 2 flights with MAJOR delays not due to weather in the same week. (more with minor.)

like I said before this year we flew Spirit a dozen times with no major problems, but in addtion to the problem the staff has done a terrible job handeling custemor service. I think I am going to call them today about the fact that they have not responded to my email. They pretty much ignored everyone on the plane, it wasn't pretty.

 

[Eeyoreluver]

Before you book be sure and check out my thread. I have had a reservation with Spirit for 2 or 3 weeks now. They have now changed our reservations and we have a long layover 10 hours in Ft. Lauderdale. Not to mention coming home which will take about 11 hours. Unless, they can do something very good for me to make this worthwhile I would say check somewhere else. IMO

 

[DisneyPhD]

I finally heard back from spirit about the email I sent them for the almost 5 hour delay we had an poor costumer service. They basiscially denyed anywrong doing, then offered $50 per person off an another flight to be used a year from the last one.

That is all I really wanted anyway.

However with the SW ding flights, at 34 each way, and Spirit currenlty 130 each way for May we are looking at SW instead (but not non stop.)