Spirit to charge for carry-on

[MAH4546]

Spirit Airlines will charge for carry-on bags starting August 1st. The charge will be between $20 and $30. The cost to check in a bag, however, will be reduced to between $15 and $30, and both the first and second bag will cost the same.

Personal items can still be brought on the plane for free.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Spirit-Airlines-Announces-bw-1858262563.html?x=0&.v=1

 

[Hannathy]

I like it. I only hope they really specify what a personal item is-I can see it now what people will try to claim! Boarding will be quicker and safer in many ways. Hope it catches on with other airlines.

 

[uva185]

I like it. I only hope they really specify what a personal item is-I can see it now what people will try to claim! Boarding will be quicker and safer in many ways. Hope it catches on with other airlines.

From the article "°Personal item must fit under the seat in front of customer as space is not guaranteed in an overhead bin."

Seems fair to me!

 

[Brian Noble]

I'm not sure they can make it stick. It will be interesting to see, for sure.

 

[wezee]

Awesome. I'm so tired of getting elbowed or conked on the head, with people trying to stow over-sized, bulging carryons in the overhead bins. I think it's only a matter of time and many of the other airlines will follow suit, considering the carry-on abuse I have seen lately.

 

[Ashbiez]

considering the carry-on abuse I have seen lately.

I just pictured someone beating the snot out of a duffel bag... hehehe

 

[buzz2400]

before you know it the airlines will start charging to breath their air. I think it is outrageous that airlines are charging for bags checked in or carry on. The majority of travels are struggling families just trying to get by and just want to go on vacation every now and then. This year we are driving because I can't stand the airlines anymore.

 

[librarygal]

I like it. I only hope they really specify what a personal item is-I can see it now what people will try to claim! Boarding will be quicker and safer in many ways. Hope it catches on with other airlines.

Boarding will be slowed down by people paying for their carry ons as they board and if they start measuring the personal items it will be even slower.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

before you know it the airlines will start charging to breath their air. I think it is outrageous that airlines are charging for bags checked in or carry on. The majority of travels are struggling families just trying to get by and just want to go on vacation every now and then. This year we are driving because I can't stand the airlines anymore.

And airlines are struggling to make a profit or face bankruptcy.

 

[Lewisc]

before you know it the airlines will start charging to breath their air. I think it is outrageous that airlines are charging for bags checked in or carry on. The majority of travels are struggling families just trying to get by and just want to go on vacation every now and then. This year we are driving because I can't stand the airlines anymore.

The majority of famlies flying to Orlando are looking to book deeply discounted, unprofitable fares. Spirit found their customers are more willing to pay fees then profitable fares.

I'm not sure they can make it stick. It will be interesting to see, for sure.

Passengers who don't pay in advance pay $45. Spirit just needs an employee in the gate area "helping" passengers use the template to check their bags and swiping their credit card if the bag doesn't fit. At least initially that employee should be very profitable.

edited to add--Spirit has said the BP will indicate if the passenger paid to use the overhead bin. People who paid the fee will board first. After that "zone" boards anyone with a bag too big to fit in the seat in front of them will have to have their credit card out.

 

[DebbieB]

As a business traveler who flys often, the carry-on situation has gotten way out of hand. Almost every flight has people trying to get back to the front to gate check their carry-on because they ran out of room. If they enforced the size and weight limits the people who are in compliance would probably not get stuck gate checking. They would also have more income if they forced those with large bags to check.

 

[Brian Noble]

Spirit just needs an employee in the gate area "helping" passengers use the template to check their bags and swiping their credit card if the bag doesn't fit.

Sorry, I wasn't clear---I completely believe they can (and will) enforce it. When I wrote "I'm not sure if they can make it stick", I meant "I'm not sure that their existing customer base will still be willing to buy tickets with this new fee."

But, the reactions on these threads suggest that yes, in fact, they will.

As a business traveler who flys often, the carry-on situation has gotten way out of hand.

I haven't seen it get too bad on most Delta flights I am on. A few goofballs who don't know the limits, but not egregious amounts of luggage.

 

[Lewisc]

Brian--Spirits customers are used to paying nickle and dime fees. Currently a passenger who uses a large carryon bag saves a $19 checked bag fee. Under the new fee structure such a passenger will pay an extra $5. Spirit decided it makes sense to encourage passengers to check bags. Makes more sense to charge passengers who bring luggage regardless if the bag is stowed under the plane or in an overhead bin.

I misunderstood your point. I think this will stick with Spirit. I wonder when/if other airlines will follow.

 

[discott71]

This article says the 1st checked bag fee will remain $25 and they raised the price of a second checked bag to $45 when checked at the airport.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/spirit-airlines-to-charge-for-carry-on-bags-2010-04-06

I hope other airlines don't follow this. I think it's ridiculous. Control the weight and size of the carryon - don't charge for it.

 

[Brian Noble]

I hope other airlines don't follow this.

If Spirit can demonstrate that their passengers will pay for it, then expect many others to follow suit.

One of the interesting side observations: a carry-on has *more* value to me as a business traveler than a checked bag. It saves me time on both ends of my trip. I'm sure I'm not the only person who thinks this way---and, if there are enough of us, it makes sense to try to monetize that sense of value.

 

[Lewisc]

This article says the 1st checked bag fee will remain $25 and they raised the price of a second checked bag to $45 when checked at the airport.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/spirit-airlines-to-charge-for-carry-on-bags-2010-04-06

I hope other airlines don't follow this. I think it's ridiculous. Control the weight and size of the carryon - don't charge for it.

The current cost to check one bag (pay online) is $19. That fee is going up to $25.

 

[mickey2000]

T-minus six months til bankruptcy

 

[Lewisc]

T-minus six months til bankruptcy

Interesting prediction. 2009 was Spirit's most profitable year.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/04/1511442/spirit-airlines-credits-2009-profit.html

Spirit has found passengers accept "nickle and dime" fees in exchange for low fares.

The new policy means a lot fewer passengers will escape paying for luggage. Spirit will be able to continue to show lower fares. Similar to the hotels in Orlando (and other locations) that now charge for parking and charge resort fees.

I wonder how long before an airline decides to treat luggage as cargo and charge by the pound.