Spirit Airlines?

[MamaBearJohnson]

I just booked our tickets for our November Disney trip for only $525 for all four of us and our bags. But now I'm totally freaking out because I was reading bad reviews online about them. I'm trying to keep in mind that maybe these people were expecting red carpet service for $130 RT??? And people are more likely to post reviews when they're upset than happy. But I'd LOVE to hear any personal experiences. We're flying out of O'Hare.

 

[Psychodisney]

We fly out of O'Hare a few years ago with no problems. I didn't realize they were back to flying to Orlando out of O'Hare.....sounds like a great deal.

 

[rock_doctor]

Their ok. The tickets are cheap but be aware they charge for everything else. So it will likely cost you more once you arrive... Haven't flown with them for a while so i can't tell you what. Comments of notice, stewardess who told the cabin the stewardess/stewards are there for the passages safety not comfort.... One year, they hand you a wet wipe and tell you to clean the bathroom when you leave because they did not want to pay to have the plane cleaned before each flight... I can't remember anything else at this moment. We drive now, just do not like being treated like live cargo. Also be aware in our experience flying from Atlantic City to Orlando a dozen times you will not get to where you are going on time. Expect a couple hours delay... One year the batteries went bad (i guess emergency battery) and it took 5 hours to get another set because non of the other airlines would lend them a set... A mechanic had to drive to north Florida and bring a set back... Like i said this was back in the early 2000s so things may have changed. There are tons of discount airlines now a days. Anyway it is better then walking.

 

[Sagginit]

what time is your flight? I have flown spirit many times, from Atlantic City to Orlando and back, and Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm too. I always had good experiences. Typically we take the first flight of the day and fly back between 3-6 pm. Yes they do charge for everything, but their attitude is that they would rather charge for things by item than make you pay for things you do not want. I also read they are one of the only airlines in the tax lapse to pass the savings on to customers instead of just pocketing the difference. I think there is definitely a difference in airports too. My flights out of AC were always smoother than my flights back.

 

[MamaBearJohnson]

Our flight is at 7 am, so if it's delayed it's no big deal...but it's the only flight of the day on that route, so if it's canceled, it's a huge deal. I'm taking deep breathes and trying not to panic. Who knows what can happen between now and then...blizzards, sick children, cars breaking down on the way to the airport...it's our first big trip, and the kids first trip at all and it seems like there are just so many things that can go wrong. I think I need to stop googling and just go with the flow and trust that it will all work out. And if it doesn't, deal with it then.

I'm fine with no frills and paying for each little thing. It's a short flight, 2 1/2, so we're okay with little service. I'm just more concerned about the canceled flight thing...but all of their flights to everywhere out of O'Hare today have left on time. So I'm taking that as a good sign. Right?

Ahhhhh!!!! The stress!

 

[Abhay]

Can only say I wish you good luck.

 

[cglaura]

I've never flown out of Ohare, only AC and Orlando. I've never had a bad flight. Only delayed once, and that was for the blizzard in Feb 2010. The pilot received applause when we touched down. It was hairy!!

They do nickel and dime you though. No complimentary drinks or snacks, etc. and you have to use a card to purchase them in-flight (no cash).

We usually just grab something after security and bring it on the plane with us.

Planes are clean, seating is a little small. I'm 5'5" and had plenty of leg room.

Attendants and pilots were all friendly and helpful.

 

[bianca]

We use Spirit exclusively for all of our trips to WDW. Yes, they can nickel and dime you, but It is always your choice ..... Something you don't have with other airlines. We like their direct flights with no lay-overs and for that reason alone, travel with them. We have always found the crew personable and sometimes, downright funny! Overall, no complaints from us and it sounds like OP got a phenomenal deal!

 

[3mickeymom]

You will be fine. Spirit is actually my first choice to fly to Florida. We fly out of Atlantic City and it is just a no hassle airport with easy parking. Yes, you pay for your bags and drinks. Like others have said, we just purchase a drink preflight by the gate and bring a snack and we are fine. we have never had an issue. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Parkers_girl]

I used them once and I won't ever again. It's a cheap airline..bottom line. I had a flight from orlando to nyc about 2 years ago and I had the flight from orlando was delayed for a few hours for no reason. Then when I landed in Detroit to change planes to La guardia they cancelled my connecting flight! They said there was bad weather but every other single flight to nyc was leaving..except mine. I would have booked on another airline but the fees were in the $1000 dollar range so I had no choice but to sit in the airport for hours until Spirit could attend to me. They did end up putting me up in a hotel room for the night and giving me a flight the next day. But as a single young woman flying alone, staying in Detroit was not ideal. I hope you have a different experience!

 

[tzeitel]

I used to fly them all the time when we lived in the East coast and never had a problem. We don't use them anymore because they don't fly out of CO. I think all airlines have good and bad things - no matter how much you pay.

 

[Fishteacher]

We have always flown spirit from AC to Orlando. As for service, my only complaint is they they have changed the flying times on EVERY flight I have ever had with them. The most drastic was a 6 hr change from a 6:30 am flight to a 12:58pm flight. This really put a wrench in our day 1 plans. Otherwise, everything is fine.

 

[cheerky]

We flew from Myrtle Beach to Orlando non-stop a couple of years ago. Flights were on time both ways. No problems at all. We traveled with carry-on bags, there was space for everyone carrying on... no complaints at all. I paid $1.11 each way. Since, they have discontinued service to Orlando...

My husband and daughter flew Spirit from Myrtle Beach to Boston in January. No delays, no problems whatsoever! Paid $29 each way...:thumbsup

Have a great trip! I hope you have a positive experience!!!

 

[Arwen0503]

We flew Spirit back in 2008 and didn't have a good experience with them, we got stuck out on the tar mat in Myrtle Beach for 2 hours and my son was 7 months old at the time. They wouldn't give us any water for his bottle and he cried non stop. They also lost our luggage and it took almost 1 week to het it back. Since that experience we have never flown with them again.

 

[Beezle2]

We have flown Spirit a few times and thought they were fine. Very no frills and I felt like a sardine in the back of the plane, it wasn't as bad when we were up front for some reason.

Just go in knowing it is not cushy and you should be fine. The workers we encountered were nice and we got to our destination that's all we wanted for our $54!

 

[SAtella]

I always fly Spirit from Atlantic City to Orlando and never have a problem.. They do charge for drinks, snacks, etc. But for me it's only a 2 hour flight. The service is good, no complaints. I signed up for their $9 club. My last trip was under $400 for 3 of us, round trip, with bags and carry on...not bad

Shelly

 

[njmom47]

We fly out of AC using Spirit. It is a no frills airline and that is what we expect, so we have no complaints.

 

[keholman15]

sound so bad ,good luck to you

 

[bokolo]

We flew Spirit from Boston to Ft. Lauderdale in April. We had no problems. I agree that it is a no-frills airline and they do up-charge for lots of things. The leg room was tight, but we would fly it again based on price (compared to other airlines for school vacation weeks---which are peak prices) and their direct flights.

 

[bjakmom]

I have been flying Spirit out of ACY several times a year for many years and don't have any more difficulties with them cancelling/delaying flights than I've had out of Philly on the bigger carriers.
However, for my trip last month and my upcoming trip in Oct, they have changed all the flight times after I booked - not the end of the world - but we lost our 3 pm return flight and only had the choice of 9AM and 930 PM - slim pickins. So keep an eye on your flight times as you get closer to your trip - they just automatically switched me to the 9 AM return and sent me an email stating the new time and there is no way I'm leaving WDW at that hour - luckily we were able to switch to 930 PM when I called.
You will want to pay for your seat selection on-line to save some $ (if you want to sit with your kids - they WILL NOT accommodate seat changes once you get to the airport anymore if you don't pre-pay). Ditto for luggage - it is cheaper to purchase before on-line than pay at the airport. They have most recently decreased the checked bag weight to ONLY 40# - down from the normal 50# of other carriers. In July there were many many very POd customers being hit for an additional suitcase charge because they were over the new 40# limit. Spirit is extremely convenient for me - but if they keep cutting back allowances and adding more charges I will start driving past ACY to PHL.