I'm about ready to book Spirit

[Planogirl]

I'm a little nervous about doing it but they are almost $300 cheaper than Southwest or American. We don't have TransAir and some of the others are even more expensive.

Is there a way to insure the flights? When I was on the Spirit website I didn't see that option. I also didn't see a way to specify times. Spirit just seemed to assign times and while they worked out OK, I thought that that was strange.

I just wish that flying from Dallas wasn't so expensive!

 

[tiggerrr]

I'm a little nervous about doing it but they are almost $300 cheaper than Southwest or American. We don't have TransAir and some of the others are even more expensive.

Is there a way to insure the flights? When I was on the Spirit website I didn't see that option. I also didn't see a way to specify times. Spirit just seemed to assign times and while they worked out OK, I thought that that was strange.

I just wish that flying from Dallas wasn't so expensive!

I'm sure you've done your research, but I'll say what I tell anyone who wants to book Spirit: make sure you thoroughly know their extra fee list http://www.spirit.com/optionalfees.aspx because a couple of checked bags and a couple of carryons in the overhead bin and advance seat selection later and your savings are gone. Also, make sure you are aware of the distance between seats. If you are on their Airbus 320 it might be unbelievably tight for tall people (3-4 inches less than most airlines).

Fully informed, Spirit can be a very inexpensive option. You can see the insurance option at $14 per person on the list of fees on the page above under Special Services Fees.

 

[Planogirl]

Thanks for pointing out the insurance.

We plan to check one bag and bring one carry on and that still leaves us at about $300 less. We aren't real tall and average size so we should be able to stuff ourselves into the seats. I wonder how they compare to Southwest's tiny seats?

 

[cbissone]

You'll be fine, don't worry. Not sure which airport you're flying into, but we just returned from DFW to Tampa RT on Spirit. Same type of plane flys to MCO, Airbus A319. Trip out we were in row 25. I'm 6'3 and, although snug, did just fine. The flight back was row 8 and had several more inches of room.

We checked 1 bag each, and had a personal carryon for each of us that we didn't pay extra for. Even on a full flight out, there was room in the overhead bins for several bags. Nobody questioned us on that.

The flights themselves were actually some of the smoothest flights we've had and both were on time.

As long as you go with the expectation of getting there and back safely, you'll be happy. We were.

 

[Aunt Stepody]

My BF and her family flew Spirit to Orlando RT from DFW in June. They got their tickets for $24 each way in June. WOW!! They had no problems at all.

We are leaving this week from DFW flying into Tampa. Like you, I was a little nervous with all the complaints I have read on reviews. But at the same time, I felt like I just couldn't beat $48 each way.

Hope this helps...Good luck!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

We aren't real tall and average size so we should be able to stuff ourselves into the seats. I wonder how they compare to Southwest's tiny seats?

WN's seat width is 17 inches; seat pitch varies from 32-33 inches. Spirit seat width is 17.5-17.8 inches, seat pitch is 28-31 inches. WN wins for leg room.

 

[joncorr3]

When I flew Spirit in May I felt like I was sliding out of the seat. Also the Seats did not recline at all.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Thanks for pointing out the insurance.

We plan to check one bag and bring one carry on and that still leaves us at about $300 less. We aren't real tall and average size so we should be able to stuff ourselves into the seats. I wonder how they compare to Southwest's tiny seats?

Southwest's seats will now be spacious
Spirit is fine until something goes wrong and then.... well remember it was cheap!

 

[ilovevacation]

Spirit is will known for being a discount airline. You aren't doing it for luxury you are doing it for cost savings. Just remember the difference between carry on and personal item. If you don't pre pay for your carry on, it could cost up to $100 at the gate. Although you can take one personal item included (put your hand bag in a back pack). If you are prepared and do your research it isn't a bad way to go.

 

[Planogirl]

Southwest is even more expensive than American for us right now. I can handle tiny seats for a few hours. This is for a quick long weekend and I was careful to buy insurance.

 

[tcmata]

We flew to Orlando from DFW on Spirit a few weeks ago. They usually only have 1 or 2 flight time options for each day. As someone else mentioned, as long as you are aware of all the extra fees, you'll be good. There isn't a lot of leg room and it's not as nice as some other airlines, but it was fine for the 2.5 hour flight. Just remember that the weight limit for checked bags is 40 lbs (as opposed to 50 lbs on AA).

It's a short flight, but you might want to know that you have to pay for any beverages- including water ($3 I think). So if you want a drink for the flight, you might want to grab something in the airport before boarding.

I was more hesitant than my husband before the flight, but I would fly with them again. As long as you go into with the right expectations, I think you'll be fine.

 

[Planogirl]

Thanks, I did buy the tickets so we'll just have to deal with whatever happens now. It's good to know about beverage costs ahead of time. Their website say $1-$10 which isn't much help.

 

[cbissone]

Although you alredy bought the tickets, one thing to note for future reference is additional savings on the tickets if you buy them at the airport.

I live right near DFW, so it's convenient for me, but I save an additional $140 off 4 r/t tickets just by going to their counter. Ours came out to $18 r/t plus fees each. $174 total for 4. May not always be convenient, but when you get to the final page for purchase, expand the details on the price of the tickets and deduct "Passenger usage fee". thats about what you'd save getting them at the airport.

Just another reason to deal with the nickel and diming and enjoy a cheap flight.

 

[tcmata]

Thanks, I did buy the tickets so we'll just have to deal with whatever happens now. It's good to know about beverage costs ahead of time. Their website say $1-$10 which isn't much help.

I sent you a PM with pictures I snapped of the onboard menu.

 

[Planogirl]

I sent you a PM with pictures I snapped of the onboard menu.

Thanks, I sent you a reply. I know that we'll be visiting the airport counters!

I didn't know about the passenger usage fee. DFW is a pain to drive to for us though.

 

[mommy2jack]

Just wanted to chime in here with my 2 cents
We flew Spirit from Pittsburgh to Orlando in May and for us it was over all a great experience. It was a small plane, there was only one flight time (which actually worked out PERFECTLY for us) and we did have to spend extra for bags, snacks and even to book our seats ahead of time... but it was STILL the cheapiest we could find! We alsojust recently booked another flight thru them for next May. For 4people the cost came to $700 something, SW is usually around $1000 for us and all other flights out of PGH cost ATLEAST double Spirit. So fo us it's just the best option!

Also let me just point out one thing... Spirit allows each passanger 1 personal item... purse, laptop, backpack, and actually my husband's small duffle bag (which we paid for as carryon) was the right size for a personal item. Therefore IMO a carry on is not needed. Strollers and diaper bags (if needed) are no additional charge. This next time when we fly we each plan to bring 1 free personal item, a diaper bag for me, small duffle for hubby and a backpack for each kid and we are checking 2 luggages. No offical carry on... so we save ourselves the $100 they charge for them.

 

[MomToPirate&Princess]

I too have been looking at Spirit out of DFW. Travelling in Feb and it is much cheaper than any other airline to MCO. We are new to the DFW airport area and can't believe how pricey flights are to MCO out of that airport. Just wish it didn't land so late.

Looking at some of the prices some of you have been paying. Is it better with Spirit to wait until closer to travel time to book? I'm a planner and like to have everything tied up neatly, but flight prices with SW and AA seem to be going higher and higher. For Spirit flyers, would you suggest waiting until closer to travel dates?

 

[mommy2jack]

Looking at some of the prices some of you have been paying. Is it better with Spirit to wait until closer to travel time to book? I'm a planner and like to have everything tied up neatly, but flight prices with SW and AA seem to be going higher and higher. For Spirit flyers, would you suggest waiting until closer to travel dates?

For us we booked in April 2012 for our May trip. For 3 people (daughter was free to fly last year) it came to around $700. We booked a few weeks ago for our May 2013trip and for 4 of us (daughter no longer free ) it came to almost the exact some price for one extra person! Couldn't beat that! There was a promotional deal they were having at the time, so I did save a few dollars that way. Honestly if I were you I would sign up for their email list. They have almost weekly sales, and when a sale come thru for your flight I would just book it. Their prices don't seem to have the drastic changes that other airlines due (that I have noticed). Also it may be cheaper to join their fare club at the time of booking your flights. It worked out that way for us last year and we saved on our booked luggage too.

 

[punn]

I could be wrong but Spirit doesn't fly out of Pittsburgh, it flies out of Latrobe which is an hour from Pittsburgh. We live 5 min from Latrobe airport and were thrilled when they started offering non stop flights to orlando. We flew them in Sept. Latrobe is wonderful. It is a smaller airport so it is easy and quick to get thru. There is also no charge for parking. I will admit that i tried the 800 number for spirit and will never ever do that again. I go straight to the airport or call it directly. Customer service at Latrobe is great.

We also found that if you can go to the airport to book it is cheaper and they will assign you your seats for free which is another nice savings. The size of the free carryon is a small duffle bag. each of my children carried their own bag and they were big enough to carry a weeks worth of clothes so no need for suitcase for them. I always take my own snacks on the plane cuz my kids don't like the peanuts/crackers so that part wasn't a big deal.

We did join the $9 club to save on the suitcases that we were taking and are starting to plan another trip with their low fares. I will say that flying out of Latrobe was less of a headache than going to Pittsburgh and Spirits flight was just as smooth as Southwest.

 

[mommy2jack]

I could be wrong but Spirit doesn't fly out of Pittsburgh, it flies out of Latrobe which is an hour from Pittsburgh. We live 5 min from Latrobe airport and were thrilled when they started offering non stop flights to orlando. We flew them in Sept. Latrobe is wonderful. It is a smaller airport so it is easy and quick to get thru. There is also no charge for parking. I will admit that i tried the 800 number for spirit and will never ever do that again. I go straight to the airport or call it directly. Customer service at Latrobe is great.

You are right it is Latrobe. That's the airport we flew out of and loved it compared to the large Pittsburgh one. I really only said Pittsburgh for ease of location. We LOVED the lack of security line there! It was almost laughable how easy it was to park, check in and breeze through security!