Spirit airlines

[Ricky P]

On spirit airlines can someone describe the random seating option. Try to budget! Thanks

 

[Pyxie]

You are assigned a random seat at check-in. Really about all there is to say about it.

 

[k5xs]

On spirit airlines can someone describe the random seating option. Try to budget! Thanks

I don't mean to horn in here, but if you are trying to budget, I would suggest looking very carefully at the total price of a Spirit flight. Their fees can quickly gobble up any savings over a major carrier. And if--heaven forbid--your flight is canceled, their next available flight to your destination could be days later.

 

[_19disnA]

^^ I agree. Make sure to compare the TOTAL price of the flight since the 'base' price can be very misleading when trying to do comparisons among airlines. Where I used to live, Spirit was CONSTANTLY on the local new with irate passengers stranded somewhere when there was a maintenance issue. Smaller/shoestring airlines tend to have fewer available planes in the event of an issue. If the next flight isn't for 2-3 days, you could easily be stranded somewhere with few good options. I would never fly on Spirit and seems like one of those airlines where you get what you pay for.

 

[rwdavis2]

Yes, research when the next flights are scheduled to your destination in case of a cancellation.

 

[wdw&sonny]

Have flown on Spirit several times (and Frontier, Allegiant). Have had no more issues than with major carriers. If you reject all the 'add ons' and minimize baggage costs, you can save over the major carriers-sometime. I still check all options for a given trip. Agree, there may be fewer flights, but not in some cities where the minor carriers are more prominent b/c the major carriers don't have a hub there.

For "random seating". If available, your party will be seated together or close together. Check in as early as you can for a better chance. They are not randomly assigning each individual. They are assigning by party size.

 

[kittylady1972]

Have flown on Spirit several times (and Frontier, Allegiant). Have had no more issues than with major carriers. If you reject all the 'add ons' and minimize baggage costs, you can save over the major carriers-sometime. I still check all options for a given trip. Agree, there may be fewer flights, but not in some cities where the minor carriers are more prominent b/c the major carriers don't have a hub there.

For "random seating". If available, your party will be seated together or close together. Check in as early as you can for a better chance. They are not randomly assigning each individual. They are assigning by party size.

Agree with the above poster. I've had more issues with other carriers. I used to be totally team SPIRIT NEVER but I have flown them many, many times now and as long as you manage expectations the experience is good. Even had a flight cancelled on me (a late night one) during Christmas holiday travel last year. Managed to rebook a flight the next day, and Spirit sent me a voucher for a hotel (very easy to use), voucher for transportation (in case I couldn't get from hotel to airport) and food vouchers (which we used in the airport the next day). It was quite nice.

As for the "random seating" we have found if you are all on the same reservation, when you check in and get seat assignments everybody has always been seated together. I'm not saying this is guaranteed but it has been our experience several times. I've also done the "bidding for seats" a few times, just to get an exit row, and have put in the lowest bid possible...and it was accepted most of the time too. That's if you find you have extra money to spend closer to the flight. We only have a 2.5 hour max flight so we can deal with regular seats also.

Honestly I think any carrier at any given time can have issues. I've converted a few people in my area to Spirit. When I can fly round trip from Baltimore to Orlando for under $100 (yes I pack my own Spirit legal personal item so no bag fees) it's a no brainer.

 

[sam_gordon]

Just for grins, I did a random booking from Louisville (SDF) to Orlando (MCO). Dec 17-24 (I would have gone to January, but website would only let me select through December). Tickets were very cheap ($113 RT)

First, only one flight a day. But there was a flight each direction every day. (Hopefully) with "traditional" airlines, you won't have to wait 24 hours (if not longer if the flight is full) until the next flight.

Looking at bags... you're allowed a "laptop" carryon bag (that fits under the seat in front of you). Another carryon bag was $60 at the time of booking, and up to $79 at the counter. Unless I'm only doing a single overnight, I need more than my backpack. That's another $120. So $233 round trip.

For comparison, Delta (I get a free checked bag) is showing as $511 RT. Southwest (two free checked bags) depending on flight could be gotten for $305.

Is it worth it to save $70 -$250+ per passenger with the CHANCE if you miss your flight, have a weather or mechancial delay, the next flight is in 24 hours and everyone else will be trying to get on that flight also. I can see where it's tempting, but give me the traditional airlines anytime. AND, if I know I'm taking a trip, I can start stalking airfares months out.

 

[kittylady1972]

How was your stateroom?

Just for grins, I did a random booking from Louisville (SDF) to Orlando (MCO). Dec 17-24 (I would have gone to January, but website would only let me select through December). Tickets were very cheap ($113 RT)

First, only one flight a day. But there was a flight each direction every day. (Hopefully) with "traditional" airlines, you won't have to wait 24 hours (if not longer if the flight is full) until the next flight.

Looking at bags... you're allowed a "laptop" carryon bag (that fits under the seat in front of you). Another carryon bag was $60 at the time of booking, and up to $79 at the counter. Unless I'm only doing a single overnight, I need more than my backpack. That's another $120. So $233 round trip.

For comparison, Delta (I get a free checked bag) is showing as $511 RT. Southwest (two free checked bags) depending on flight could be gotten for $305.

Is it worth it to save $70 -$250+ per passenger with the CHANCE if you miss your flight, have a weather or mechancial delay, the next flight is in 24 hours and everyone else will be trying to get on that flight also. I can see where it's tempting, but give me the traditional airlines anytime. AND, if I know I'm taking a trip, I can start stalking airfares months out.

Well it's not for everybody, and every location is different. Here Spirit operates multiple flights a day to/from Orlando, a few non-stops and a few connecting. My story about the missed flight...it was the very last flight of the night. I had planned that as a day trip...took an early morning flight down (6am) and planned to come home that night (10pm). I wasn't mad we got an extra day. I have done day trips and long weekends, and I can sometimes get great deals on very last minute flights...save 30% or so by purchasing my tickets at the airport (I live only 15 minutes from it) and I have learned the art of packing a lot of stuff in a smaller bag...not that it's easy sometimes. SWA is a hub here...and sometimes I can do well there if I plan ahead and stalk...but last minute flights I do often on Spirit, especially to Florida locations. I know the original question was about the seat selection to save money anyway, not about debating the pros/cons of one airline. I'm just providing my own experience, so YMMV of course.