Flying Spirit Airlines - Seat Selection

[Disneyplanners]

We found good fares flying with spirit out of Latrobe, and are considering a last minute summer trip! I'll be joining the $9 fare club to get these low fares, and am aware of all of the extra fees spirit charges. We would pack light and have just one checked suitcase, and each of us (4) would carry on a backpack (no charge according to the website). I am undecided about purchasing a seat ahead of time. The seat selection costs between $10 and $20 each person, each way, so this would add at minimum $80. The site says that if you don't purchase a seat, that it selected for you at check in. Can anyone give their experience with this? Do you check in ahead of time online like you do with southwest? (We are experienced southwest fliers!) When they do this, are the seats generally together? We wouldn't all four need to be together, just 2 and 2, so DH could be with one child and I would be with the other. DS's are 10 and 7. Thank you for any help/advice!!


Edited to also ask, If I don't select a seat when purchasing the tickets, is there an option to add the seat selection later?

 

[cbissone]

You can pick your seats ahead of time, but I wouldn't worry about it. There were 4 of us, the youngest being 15, and we were all seated together. With 2 younger ones they will, at a minimum, seat at least 1 of you with each. But I would probably expect to all be seated together.

You can pick your seats at anytime up to check in online. I believe check in gets done at the 24-hr mark if I remember correctly.

 

[Disneyplanners]

Thanks for your response! Did you check in 24 hours ahead of time or did you just check in at the airport? If you check in from home, does it give you your seat assignments at that time?

 

[taitai]

If you want to be seated together, pay for seat selection and select seats together. The airline will do very little to help you. Also, most of the people on the flight to MCO will be families and they all want to sit together as well. They paid for their seats and will not want to switch with you who did not. If this is important to you, then you have to be very proactive and do everything in your power in order to make sure it happens.

 

[Gracie09]

If you want to be seated together, pay for seat selection and select seats together. The airline will do very little to help you. Also, most of the people on the flight to MCO will be families and they all want to sit together as well. They paid for their seats and will not want to switch with you who did not. If this is important to you, then you have to be very proactive and do everything in your power in order to make sure it happens.

I agree. You have been given a way to ensure your family sits together ( purchasing seats) if that is important to you, use it. I wouldn't rely on the airline reseating people to accommodate you.

 

[bianca]

You need to at the very least, have your seats reserved for your flight coming home with Spirit ...... Unless you are renting a car. Magical Express cuts the time way too close at MCO to get seating once you check in. Since Spirit always seems to have their flights a tad over-booked, you can save yourself some frustration at the airport by having a seat reserved. Otherwise, you're looking at standby.

The key to getting free Spirit seats is being on the very early side to the airport so that there are still choices. This is easier done when heading to Orlando. All that being said, just yesterday I reserved big seats for all 9 of my family going with me in January on Spirit ..... Both to and from MCO. I just consider it the cost of the flight and it enhances our vacation by removing anxiety about seating.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

You can pick your seats ahead of time, but I wouldn't worry about it. There were 4 of us, the youngest being 15, and we were all seated together. With 2 younger ones they will, at a minimum, seat at least 1 of you with each. But I would probably expect to all be seated together.

You can pick your seats at anytime up to check in online. I believe check in gets done at the 24-hr mark if I remember correctly.

Really?

Where does it say they will seat at least one of you with the child? And why would you expect to be seated together?

This is the reality of travel today. And when you go with "bottom feeder' don't expect ANYTHING! Spirit makes it's profit off of fees. So if you choose not to pay them don't expect them to upset those who did .

Bottom line if you won't be happy with 4 random seats on the plane pay up or cross your fingers.. But if you cross your fingers no whining allowed... you roll the dice, sometimes they don't come up your way.