Spirit Airlines "personal item" question

[LiamandMaeve]

Hi there,

I am aware of Spirit's fees for checked and carry-on baggage, but have a question about this supposed "free" personal item a passenger may bring along. On the site, it lists examples, such as, purse, briefcase, and backpack. My concern is that I get to the airport only to discover that the backpack I have brought as a "personal item" is considered by them to be a carry-on.

Does anyone have any experience using the free personal item? If so, how did it work out? Is a child's school backpack acceptable? How much can it be stufffed? Just really trying to figure out my fees so I an not surprised when I ge to the airport! Thanks!

Christine

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

They list the dimensions of the personal item on their website. That being said, I didn't bother to measure our normal sized backpacks, but we did understuff them just to be on the safe side. We ended up with plenty of room and we could have filled them a lot more.

As long as you don't completely fill them, you should be fine. Just leave yourself room so it can squeeze under the seat in front of you.

 

[Daddio]

If it fits under the seat, it's a personal item. If it has to go in the overhead bin, it's carry on.

David

 

[LiamandMaeve]

Thanks so much!