Please Ease My Mind....Spirit Airlines ?

[bellenbuzz]

It can't be the worst airline ever ?!?!
I know some hate it, BUT Come On....someone has to have a decent experience with them !!
It's like riding a bus, no frills....

Anyone fly Spirit regularly ??

Please make me feel better about our choice !!

thanks

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Spirit charges fees for "everything" and squeezes passengers into tightly packed rows of uncomfortable seats without knee room. When things go wrong, customer service is known to be severely lacking.

Spirit is routinely referred to as "The Most Hated Airline in the United States."

http://www.fastcompany.com/3029025/...hy-spirit-is-the-most-hated-airline-in-the-us

Spirit has even run a promotion based on this reputation:

http://time.com/money/2972904/spirit-airlines-hate-8000-miles/

However, Spirit carries planes full of passengers who are thrilled to get low fares, who know about the fees, who expect zero comfort onboard, who are willing to risk aggravation when things go wrong.

 

[carley]

we fly spirit twice a year out of detroit, for the last eight years. i have never had a problem with them.

 

[bellenbuzz]

Yup I get it....
Heard pros & cons a lot
Happy 2 hear you use Spirit without problems...
We will have to make due..

 

[seashoreCM]

Plenty of good to excellent experiences written about on The DIS and elsewhere, but the chance is still much greater with Spirit compared with larger better established airlines that a flight cancellation leaves you with no alternate transportation.

 

[trudyt623]

I have flown spirit several times and the only negative I can say is they are late a lot. Make sure you have patience and items to keep children occupied. I traveled with books, portable DVD player and handheld games for my children. Enjoy your flight, it will be fine.

 

[Yellowjj]

If you go with your expectations low, then you won't have nothing to worry about. Most of the complaints on Spirit are of people who don't read/research and understand. Then get hit with the fee's.

If you know Spirit charges for checked bags/carry-on/seat assignment/boarding pass/Drinks/Snacks/Bottled Water. So if you took that into account when purchasing tickets and still found the savings is worth it, then by all means.

The only other problem is Spirit IRROPS policy. It's hard to re-accommodate people when you have limited flights to begin with. This is where the larger carriers shine in the event of cancellations. So if you travel from a airport prone to delays from weather/atc, I would look into other options.

 

[mskermit]

ok I am a non flyer we drive from NJ to Disney. I haven't flown in 32 years , lol yes since 10th grade!! so I decide to take my 2 granddaughters , 3 & 5 to my sisters in Tampa by myself , the non flyer. I flew out of atlantic city, which the airport is great, really really small so I couldn't screw this up or get lost I hauled the 2 kids in a double stroller, a huge suitcase and a carseat by myself. As nervous as I was it was a good experience. I had no problems, security was fine, and the stewardesses were very nice as my youngest granddaughter had a meltdown both to florida and home. Yes the plane is small, yes the fares are cheap. my flight was only a little over 2 hours and it was fine. on my way back my suitcase was 11 lbs over the girls were fighting and one was crying as I checked my bag, and the lady was so nice she only charged me 25.00 instead of the 50.00 over weight fee. I think she saw I was on the verge of tears dealing with the screaming kids that needed naps!! I am flying spirit again next month to Disney, 307.00 for 2 round trip tickets and I bought bags that fit their personal size so no luggage fees. They have also been very good with my handicap daughter who has flown with them. no problems here

 

[mskermit]

oh and we did get delayed because of storms in tampa for an hour or so. the only problem with that was 3 other planes landed in tampa at the same time and I had to get my stroller at baggage claim and waited a little while for luggage

 

[Shock13]

I have flown on Spirit twice and had absolutely no problems. These trips were not short ones either (PHX-FLL). I found the crew to be very professional and even though I'm a bit pooh-sized, I wasn't terribly uncomfortable. The airfare even with the added fees was much cheaper than Southwest.

 

[Lewisc]

It can't be the worst airline ever ?!?!
I know some hate it, BUT Come On....someone has to have a decent experience with them !!
It's like riding a bus, no frills....

Anyone fly Spirit regularly ??

Please make me feel better about our choice !!

thanks

Spirit wouldn't be flying if every passenger on every flight had a horrible experience. Of course someone has to have had a decent experience.

PP gave the info. Spirit lead the industry in fees. The average Spirit passenger now pays over $100 in fees. Spirit's has the distinction of being the only US carrier where only the extra cost "big front seats" are coded as green (good seat). Irregular Ops is an issue. Spirit prides itself in not wasting money on customer service.

on my way back my suitcase was 11 lbs over the girls were fighting and one was crying as I checked my bag, and the lady was so nice she only charged me 25.00 instead of the 50.00 over weight fee.

Spirit charges extra if your bag is over 40lbs, industry standard is 50. Some of the older bags weigh 15-20 lbs empty.

Spirit charges $25 if your bag weighs between 41-50 lbs. The nice lady didn't overlook your bag being 11 pounds overweight, she overlooked one pound. Saved you opening up your bag and removing a pair of shoes.

 

[mskermit]

I know but still it was nice of her to do that