Spirit flights from DFW to MCO

[mcraige]

I just read where Spirit will begin service from DFW to MCO starting 2/9. Has anyone flown on Spirit, and if so, how was it? Any guesses how this new service will impact airfare?

 

[Friendly Frog]

Never flown them, but they are going to be our only hope for reasonable pricing to MCO!

Even if SW matches their price, you have stops and your flight is longer. Free checked luggage is not as important to me as a direct flight.

Besides, we need to keep Spirit so SW has some competition.

 

[Juliemomma]

I looked into that too, but all the reviews are horrible for spirit. There are a ton of fees and not only that they are infamous for delayed or cancelled flights. Last I checked there was only one flight on our travel days and I'm not risking losing a whole vacation day.

 

[Tinker326]

I have flown Spirit. The previous poster was correct in stating that they are infamous for delays and cancellations. Also they don't flight code share (think that's the right term) with other airlines. Meaning if they cancel or delay their flight you must wait until they can reschedule you on one of their flights. Most other airlines have agreements where they try to get you on the next flight on any carrier if they have to cancel. This could be a huge deal if you are under time constraint.

We did run into delays (long & I had smaller children). Also it's hard to find help if you need it (customer support/service) because of their low costs they keep low staff (also an issue with checking in- at least at O'Hare- 2.5 hour ticket check in process).

The cost was low and allowed us to get to our destination cheaply, but I honestly can't say I'll fly them again. We are at the point where we are driving in June vs. flying them again (as they are the only decently priced airfare currently) to MCO.

If you are a flexible type and can roll with the changes- it might be good bet. For me, personally, it wasn't good. My 2 cents only.

 

[mcraige]

Thanks for the feedback. I had heard the same horror stories, but was hoping there was something good (besides price). Hopefully between Spirit and Southwest, American will lower their rates. However, because of American's bankruptcy, I'm not getting my hopes up.

 

[aubriee]

I just posted this on another thread about Spirit. We just got back Saturday night from WDW (flew American out of DFW). I checked my email early Sunday morning, just to find that Spirit had changed the flight times for my May trip that I had booked with them. They changed my arriving flight by about four hours and my departing flight by 1 1/2 hours. I am now losing about 8 hours on my trip. I'm used to arriving at MCO around 9:00am so already wasn't thrilled about getting there around 2:00pm, but now I'm not arriving until 6:20pm., plus will be leaving to come home 1 1/2 hours earlier. I did call them but was told that is their only flight from DFW to MCO. Unlike Air Tran, who will refund your money if they make a change that doesn't work for you, Spirit refused to refund my money.

I have another WDW trip booked with them for Sept 1st-8th and am hoping they don't change the flight times for that one. I booked both trips at the same time and would have booked another trip for Oct 27th-Nov 3rd, if those dates had been available. Now I'll probably just pay more and book with American or Southwest, in order to make sure I get an early morning departure and evening return that I prefer.