What is your opinion on Spirit Airlines?

[3girlsfun]

Is it reliable?

I know about all of the extra fees, but, the flight times are the only ones that work with my cruise that get us to the cruise port with reasonable time left before the ship sales.

 

[Jmariab64]

Hi!

We've flown Spirit quite a few times, and have not had any issues.

Have a great trip!

 

[sam_gordon]

Is it reliable?

I know about all of the extra fees, but, the flight times are the only ones that work with my cruise that get us to the cruise port with reasonable time left before the ship sales.

I am basing this based solely on what I've read online...

When Spirit works as advertised, as long as you know the limitations (reduced checked baggage weight, extra costs for carry on luggage, reduced seat size, etc) it seems to be fine.

However, if something doesn't work well (mechanical or weather issues) you could be stuck. Spirit has limited flights depending on originating and destination airport AND doesn't have any kind of "inter-line" agreement, so they're not going to put you on another airline.

I would do whatever I need to to fly in the day before (should be more options) before flying Spirit day of.

 

[3girlsfun]

I would like to fly in the day before, but, the flights are also really limited because I will have to work the day before. Which means I can't take a flight earlier than 8pm from an airport I am 2 hours away from. There is one flight out at that point.

The Spirit flight the day of is the 1st flight of the day, and there is one other flight after it. It really isn't even the cost of the flight and all the limitations and extra fees, it is the flight times. Does that make sense?

I agree though, I don't want to miss my cruise!!!

 

[sam_gordon]

I would like to fly in the day before, but, the flights are also really limited because I will have to work the day before. Which means I can't take a flight earlier than 8pm from an airport I am 2 hours away from. There is one flight out at that point.

The Spirit flight the day of is the 1st flight of the day, and there is one other flight after it. It really isn't even the cost of the flight and all the limitations and extra fees, it is the flight times. Does that make sense?

I agree though, I don't want to miss my cruise!!!

So there IS a flight you can take after work the night before? If so, I would be all over it. If that's not an option, it sounds like the morning of is your only choice. Personally, I'd be nervous regardless of the airline, Spirit would just add to the nervousness until I'm at the port.

 

[3girlsfun]

Well, there sort of is. We will have to fly into Miami and then transfer to Ft. Lauderdale.

 

[airplanegod]

Never flown on them, but that is because of what I heard about the fees, sudden flight cancellations, and no comfort whatsoever. If you are flying between two large cities, and everything is on time, then you should have no issue (minus the lack of comfort/any fees you need to pay). If you are leaving from a smaller city and your flight is cancelled, then you can be stuck for days as they will not re-book you on another airline. It's really up to you though, that's just what I heard about them.

 

[sam_gordon]

Well, there sort of is. We will have to fly into Miami and then transfer to Ft. Lauderdale.

I wouldn't let that worry me. I would book a hotel for Miami the night before and arrange car service to pick me up at the hotel and shuttle me to the pier the next morning.

It should be <1 hour drive between Miami & Port Everglades.

 

[mikehn]

Is it reliable?

I know about all of the extra fees, but, the flight times are the only ones that work with my cruise that get us to the cruise port with reasonable time left before the ship sales.

Yup, I had the same consideration except I chose Spirit for our ride back home after the cruise, a lot more palatable.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Is it reliable? I know about all of the extra fees, but, the flight times are the only ones that work with my cruise that get us to the cruise port with reasonable time left before the ship sales.

That is assuming nothing goes wrong. Risky on any airline. Riskier on Spirit. Do some internet searching.

 

[3girlsfun]

Ok, I bought my airfare, not Spirit. I just couldn't bring myself to try it with all of the negatives.

We are flying out of our local airport, and I found a flight that lands at a semi. decent time in Fort Lauderdale. For some reason when I did the search on Orbitz, some of the airlines weren't showing up.

Thank you for the advice everyone!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

DON'T fly on your sail date.

My best friend was on a cruise last year and their table mates decided to flying down on the sail date..

Well they did not make it because there was mechanical issues on a Delta flight and were stuck for 3 hours. Luckly they talked to the gate agent and the cruise line and were flown into the city that the ship was first going to dock at. Needless to say they missed a whole day of a 4 day cruise.


So I hope you don't run into mechanical or weather issues!