Spirit follows Ryanair, now charging for drinks, ALL checked baggage

[jodifla]

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070307/BIZ/703070360

I like the quote: "Only an airline with no pride would charge you for a cup of soda."

 

[seashoreCM]

I remember an airline from long ago, People Express, that charged for checked baggage.

Nowadays overhead bin space for carry-ons could be a cash cow for airlines instead.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[jodifla]

It's funny...I just checked Spirit's rates on a couple of flights. They are way more than Airtran and Northwest. Then you put the hefty baggage charges on top, and they aren't such a deal at all....

 

[shazaam1028]

Geez, I'm flying with Spirit at the beginning of April. At least, I'll get my free drink and one bag allotment. I'll be looking at other airlines for my summer flight.

 

[Lewisc]

It's funny...I just checked Spirit's rates on a couple of flights. They are way more than Airtran and Northwest. Then you put the hefty baggage charges on top, and they aren't such a deal at all....

I don't think $5/bag is a "hefty charge". Once you start nickle and diming passengers the fares better be much lower than the competition. This kind of policy only works if it allows Spirit to have very low fares.

 

[salmoneous]

People Express also charged for soda. But I kinda liked it. You paid a buck (or was it 50 cents back then) and you got a WHOLE CAN of soda. I always thought a whole can of soda for a buck was a better deal than a tiny cup for free.

 

[jodifla]

I don't think $5/bag is a "hefty charge". Once you start nickle and diming passengers the fares better be much lower than the competition. This kind of policy only works if it allows Spirit to have very low fares.

5$ per bag each way can add up pretty quickly for a family of five. And like I said, for all the routes I checked, Spirit was more expensive than Airtran and NWA, two of their biggest competitors.

 

[Lewisc]

5$ per bag each way can add up pretty quickly for a family of five. And like I said, for all the routes I checked, Spirit was more expensive than Airtran and NWA, two of their biggest competitors.

The link you posted said Spirit will be cutting fares by up to 40%. I'll agree Spirit better have dirt cheap fares.

The article missed the biggest problem with the new policy (JMO):

Spirit Airlines can only guarantee the transportation of one (1) item as checked luggage per fare paying customer. Additional bags can be purchased on a first-served basis; but Spirit cannot guarantee that there will be space for extra bags, and will not be held responsible for any additional items brought to the airport by the customer. Please note that space is extremely limited on certain flights.

Spirit is probably going to make $ by carrying more freight, including mail. A family can buget an extra $10, if the fare is great, but probably can't handle being told Spirit won't take the extra bag even if the passenger is willing to pay.

Spirit will have a big problem if their fares aren't significantly lower than other airlines. Some passengers might accept being nickle and dimed if they save $100 R/T but not for a small savings.

 

[jodifla]

The link you posted said Spirit will be cutting fares by up to 40%. I'll agree Spirit better have dirt cheap fares.

The article missed the biggest problem with the new policy (JMO):



Spirit is probably going to make $ by carrying more freight, including mail. A family can buget an extra $10, if the fare is great, but probably can't handle being told Spirit won't take the extra bag even if the passenger is willing to pay.

Spirit will have a big problem if their fares aren't significantly lower than other airlines. Some passengers might accept being nickle and dimed if they save $100 R/T but not for a small savings.

Yes, I agree. I checked three RTs from Fort Lauderdale to Detroit and Orlando to Detroit, and Spirit wasn't the cheapest fair on any of the routes.

 

[Lewisc]

Yes, I agree. I checked three RTs from Fort Lauderdale to Detroit and Orlando to Detroit, and Spirit wasn't the cheapest fair on any of the routes.

I hope Spirit hasn't yet loaded their new discounted fares. JMO but I don't think the public will accept a no frills airline unless the fare is dirt cheap. Spirit sometimes runs $.99 specials. Their philosophy seems to be quote a low fare then add on all the extras. Ryanair seems to be doing OK in Europe.

I don't know how much money Spirit can make shipping additional cargo.

Jodi--I don't much care for Spirit's policy but they're looking for a market niche that wants low prices at any cost and for a market niche that doesn't read the fine print and will be surprised when they get to the airport. I question if they can get low enough fares for informed consumers to get a good deal.

A lot of passengers, even famlies over pack. One 50 lb bag should be enough. I'll agree it'll be an issue if a family has golf clubs and strollers.

 

[NotUrsula]

I like the quote: "Only an airline with no pride would charge you for a cup of soda."

And such an airline would be ... American Airlines. They tried this particular charge on their American Eagle flights out of California back in Q1 of 2006. Needless to say, it was a dismal failure on a legacy carrier.

I've flown Ryanair many times. Their prices are indeed rock bottom, but the service really isn't bad if you are good at ignoring sales pitches. That is because those pitches start the moment you enter the aircraft and don't stop until you get off -- Ryanair's FA's have to spend every cruising minute of each flight pushing a merchandise trolley up and down the aisles, selling everything from drinks and sandwiches to expensive perfumes and watches.
Can I take it for a $12 flight from London to Dublin? You bet your bippy I can.

Ryanair's model works well largely because nearly all their flights are over water; you don't have the choice to choose to drive those routes. If they can match or undercut the price of the ferry, they've got you. When prices are consistently low you just get used to paying a bit extra for your baggage, etc., and a smart traveller stops by Pret on the way to the gate. (With Ryanair you always want to try to carry on whenever possible, because one of their favorite tactics to save time/space is to check which passengers are on a short-term round trip, and leave those bags behind -- they will just hold them until you return.)

 

[Disneyolic]

People Express also charged for soda. But I kinda liked it. You paid a buck (or was it 50 cents back then) and you got a WHOLE CAN of soda. I always thought a whole can of soda for a buck was a better deal than a tiny cup for free.

A bit off topic, but I have never had a problem asking for the whole can of soda on any airline that I traveled on. The flight attendants were more than happy to hand the can over with a cup of ice.

 

[Starr W.]

5$ per bag each way can add up pretty quickly for a family of five. And like I said, for all the routes I checked, Spirit was more expensive than Airtran and NWA, two of their biggest competitors.

I agree with you, everytime I look Spirit they are higher than NWA. Then add in the old cramped terminal in DTW compared to the newer NWA one, it's a no brainer.

Guess we'll all have to pack more efficiently, I can do 5 days with 2 checked bags for a family of 4(Thank goodness for W/D at DVC).

Spirit maybe the first to do this, but trust me they won't be the last.

 

[Starr W.]

Just checked over at Spirit, for 9/17/07 DTW-MCO, $89 one way(same price they had been charging) "Big Fancy Seat" formerly known as Spirit Plus 229.

 

[jenelope]

Well, I'm glad that it won't be in effect for the two cent round trip flight I'm taking to Boston at the end of the month. (Okay, $21 including airport fees.) I suspect you won't start seeing the discounted airfares until close to or after the new a la carte policies are officially implemented.

 

[chrisann]

2 adults and 2 children, and we have 1 suitcase each is there a charge for thatÉ When do they start to chargeÉ Thanks!

 

[chrisann]

thanks anyway!

 

[bicker]

I don't think you can call this a "market niche" -- I think this is the wave of the future for the mainstream segment of the market as well. Five years from now, we'll likely be paying a fee for each checked bag on most every airline, if not all. Unbundling the pricing is the only way to keep the fares low. People will call it "nickel and diming" and forget that it was the passengers themselves that brought this all about by choosing based on fare alone instead of fare-and-service.

 

[jodifla]

I agree with Lewis that Spirit potentially refusing a second bag is a HUGE issue.


Yes, you have all the Lettie Lightweights who say you only need one bag, but infants and kids come with stuff....particularly car seats. Spirit says they'll take infant seats free, but what about boosters? You can potentially have three booster seats for three kids....

So do you leave behind the legally required boosters, or the clothes?

I see a lot of unhappy customers, and potential for lawsuits against Spirit Airlines....what happens if you get in an accident and don't have your car seat, because Spirit wouldn't put it on the plane?

 

[Lewisc]

Spirit does say

Additional bags can be purchased on a first-served basis;

That would imply passsengers who pre-pay for extra bags should be OK.

You have an extreme example, 3 booster seats. Most famlies could pack clothing for all 3 kids in one bag and another bag for the parents. That may mean purchasing light, maximum size bags. In other words each kid doesn't get their own small bag.

I agree with Lewis that Spirit potentially refusing a second bag is a HUGE issue.


Yes, you have all the Lettie Lightweights who say you only need one bag, but infants and kids come with stuff....particularly car seats. Spirit says they'll take infant seats free, but what about boosters? You can potentially have three booster seats for three kids....

So do you leave behind the legally required boosters, or the clothes?

I see a lot of unhappy customers, and potential for lawsuits against Spirit Airlines....what happens if you get in an accident and don't have your car seat, because Spirit wouldn't put it on the plane?