How is Spirit Airlines

[AngieInOH]

Due to Southwest's recent announcement, I started shopping airfares. I've only used SW for the past 20 years. I was pleasantly surprised with Spirts' multiple non-stop flights and competitive pricing with current SW rates.

How is Spirit? Any tips/tricks? Spirit and Frontier are the only other airlines at my preferred airport that provide Non-Stop flights to Orlando. We'd have to go to a different airport to fly Delta/United/American, which has extremely high rates compared to the current SW rates.

Sorry SW, my loyalty ends when you start to be just like every other airline.

 

[pens4821]

I have heard both good and bad stories, but have never flown them. A friend of mine flies them any time they fly (maybe a couple times a year) and has never had an issue. I have another friend who’s used them three times and had issues each time (once having to wait a couple days to come home, once having to rent a car and drive from FL to PA because they wouldn’t work with them for a new flight). The third time was just a delay until the next day.

From what I’ve read they are quite strict on the bag dimensions for personal items and their seats are smaller and not as comfortable. I believe they also charge for carryons.

Having said all that I would consider them for the right flight/price but it’s not likely for me. I would never fly them unless they have atleast one non stop flight per day to and from my destination. If they only offer 3 flights a week you are kinda screwed if they flight has issues I think.

If they were cheaper and I had a day or two that I could play with if I’d get stuck somewhere (or wouldn’t mind delaying my trip a day or two) I’d try them out. But if I wanted to leave a certain day and be back a certain day with no leeway I personally wouldn’t.

 

[AngieInOH]

I have heard both good and bad stories, but have never flown them. A friend of mine flies them any time they fly (maybe a couple times a year) and has never had an issue. I have another friend who’s used them three times and had issues each time (once having to wait a couple days to come home, once having to rent a car and drive from FL to PA because they wouldn’t work with them for a new flight). The third time was just a delay until the next day.

From what I’ve read they are quite strict on the bag dimensions for personal items and their seats are smaller and not as comfortable. I believe they also charge for carryons.

Having said all that I would consider them for the right flight/price but it’s not likely for me. I would never fly them unless they have atleast one non stop flight per day to and from my destination. If they only offer 3 flights a week you are kinda screwed if they flight has issues I think.

If they were cheaper and I had a day or two that I could play with if I’d get stuck somewhere (or wouldn’t mind delaying my trip a day or two) I’d try them out. But if I wanted to leave a certain day and be back a certain day with no leeway I personally wouldn’t.

Good info. It seems there are multiple flights each day both out of our home airport and out of MCO. But definitely something to keep in mind when booking!! I also noticed in their top tier you can select seating that will include an empty middle seat. Not something I would always choose, but if the price was right something I would consider.

 

[Mr_Woodchuck]

as someone that has always flown SW in the last 10+ years, i've noticed that the check in lines for Spirit Airlines in the morning at Orlando airport are horrendous. Sometimes wrapping around doors and out the corridor. I've never flown them, but that check in line is something to see.

 

[AngieInOH]

as someone that has always flown SW in the last 10+ years, i've noticed that the check in lines for Spirit Airlines in the morning at Orlando airport are horrendous. Sometimes wrapping around doors and out the corridor. I've never flown them, but that check in line is something to see.

Do they not have curbside check-in? Because that is nice with SW.

 

[Mr_Woodchuck]

Do they not have curbside check-in? Because that is nice with SW.

I really don't know. But every single time we fly out of Orlando, that line is crazy! So it has always made me be afraid to fly Spirit.

 

[kdonnel]

I have always had great luck with Spirit.

I fly Spriit when the fare is unbelievably low. To really maximize the low fare I take advantage of their free personal item and do not buy a carry on or checked bag. I own 4 bags that are 14x18x8. For 3 or so day trips we can fit everything into those free bags.

For longer trips we buy a single bag we all share at the time we purchase tickets. The later in the process you buy a bag the more it costs. Or at least that was how it worked the last time I flew. I think they changed their bundles and how bags are purchased in the past couple months.

We typically use Spirit for ultra low cost long weekend style trips. We have flown to Atlantic City, Orlando, and New Orleans for right around $48 a person round trip or less.

Seats are tight and very lightly padded but not dramatically worse than the mainline airlines.

The main downside with Spirit and Frontier, really any of the ULCC, is irregular operations. Bad weather or a broken plane can result in very long delays or cancellations at a higher rate than a mainline carrier.

 

[jimmymc]

Spirit can be great if you know what to expect.

Seat selection, a carry-on bag, checked bags, and even checking in at the airport all cost extra. The only things included in the basic price are your transportation and a personal item. And while checking in at the airport costs extra, there is no charge to drop off a checked bag if you already checked in online. And they will check the size of your personal item at the gate.

Food and drinks all cost extra on-board. You also can't move around on-board, even if there are empty seats.

The last big caveat is that if your flight is delayed or cancelled, they will not place you on another airline. You get put on the next Spirit flight, which could be two days away, or you can get a refund. This makes me hesitant to book with them for Disney World trips, but I also have a reliable stream of nonstop Delta flights from my home airport. If Spirit were the only nonstop option, I would probably go with them more often.

 

[Skippyboo]

My friend likes Spirit. Apparently there’s a level where the middle seat is blocked out and you get a carry on

 

[jimmymc]

Apparently there’s a level where the middle seat is blocked out and you get a carry on

There is, and it's an awesome middle point between economy and big front seats.

 

[WDW Traveler]

We have flown Spirit several times and always had good luck. They used to fly out of our closest airport (MHT) but paused service last summer and we just found out recently that they will not return to MHT. They do fly out of BOS, which is more of a hassle to get to, but if the price is right, we will go from there. But we are bummed that they don't fly out of MHT anymore.

We usually price out the flight with Regular Seats and Checked bags. If their Go Big package isn't too much more, we will splurge and get their "1st Class" seats, which includes a Checked Bag, Carry On Bag, Wi-Fi, Priority Check-in, Priority Boarding, and Beverages (including alcohol) and Snacks.

 

[AngieInOH]

Thanks for these insights! It sounds like it's definitely worth checking out.

 

[_19disnA]

In the city where I used to live, Spirit was CONSTANTLY on the local news when a flight was cancelled and irate customers were stuck since the next available flight wasn't for another 2-3 days and as mentioned above, they will not rebook you on another airlines as most others will do. Shoe-string airlines tend to not fly every city daily and have few, if any, substitute planes available when there are issues. Know what you are signing up for with any of these shoe-string airlines. Lots of extra 'fees' for trivial things most other airlines do not charge for. Be sure to look at the TOTAL price and not just the base cost of the ticket. You might find the difference isn't that much compared to other major airlines.

IF you don't mind not getting to your destination on the day you planned, then it might work out for you. You might save a few dollars if things go well, but quickly becomes a disaster when they don't. I personally would never choose to fly with them, but to each their own. Many older threads on this topic.

 

[Lewisc]

they will not rebook you on another airlines as most others will do.

Jet Blue and SW will almost never accomodate you on another carrier.

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

Have heard all the stories but thankfully never had a problem in all the years going into & out of Orando.
We do book 1st flights only in or out so that may help avoid delays as a day evolves.
Even booking on FREE SPIRIT points only (via their CC)- Always excellent flight crew service.
They ARE strict about sizes on free personal item & carry-on/overhead bags.
(When it's just 2 of us traveling, we book aisle seats across from each other to be able to stretch our legs a bit)
However, though our travel was never impacted & we're booked for spring ...FYI:
https://www.aol.com/spirit-airlines-fresh-bankruptcy-ready-174138308.html

 

[Mirabell Rose]

In the city where I used to live, Spirit was CONSTANTLY on the local news when a flight was cancelled and irate customers were stuck since the next available flight wasn't for another 2-3 days and as mentioned above, they will not rebook you on another airlines as most others will do. Shoe-string airlines tend to not fly every city daily and have few, if any, substitute planes available when there are issues. Know what you are signing up for with any of these shoe-string airlines. Lots of extra 'fees' for trivial things most other airlines do not charge for. Be sure to look at the TOTAL price and not just the base cost of the ticket. You might find the difference isn't that much compared to other major airlines.

IF you don't mind not getting to your destination on the day you planned, then it might work out for you. You might save a few dollars if things go well, but quickly becomes a disaster when they don't. I personally would never choose to fly with them, but to each their own. Many older threads on this topic.

Flown Spirit many times. Only had a flight cancelled once. (Flying out of Austin) they rebooked us on a Delta flight the same day. So, they do rebook on other airlines. The only thing Spirit charges extra for that other airlines typically don’t, is a carryon and onboard snacks. The flights to MCO out of our usual airport are multiple times a day. The only airline with more nonstops in the day is Delta.