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When to book flights with spirit airlines to orlando, faqs for flying to orlando with spirit airlines, is spirit airlines cheaper than other airlines flying to orlando.

With an average return price of $176, Spirit Airlines is cheaper than Frontier, JetBlue, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines when it comes to flights to Orlando. However, the cheapest airline flying to Orlando is Silver Airways, with an average return price of $163.

Which other airlines fly to Orlando?

Along with Spirit Airlines, you can also fly to Orlando with Silver Airways, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, Frontier, Allegiant Air, Breeze Airways, Sun Country Air, United Airlines, Avelo Airlines, Silver Airways, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, Frontier, Allegiant Air, Breeze Airways and United Airlines.

How much is a flight to Orlando with Spirit Airlines?

On average, Spirit Airlines flights to Orlando cost $96 for one-way and $176 return.

Which airport do Spirit Airlines flights to Orlando fly into?

There are two airports in Orlando and you’ll fly into either Orlando Airport or Orlando Sanford Intl.

Top tips for your flights to Orlando with Spirit Airlines

• Looking to fly from the United States to Orlando with Spirit Airlines? 25% of our users found flights for the following prices or less: From Nashville $51 one-way, $100 round-trip; from Louisville $60 one-way, $103 round-trip; from Rochester $64 one-way, $126 round-trip.
• The cheapest flight to Orlando with Spirit Airlines found on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks departed from Nashville and cost $24.

Spirit Airlines customer reviews

• Plane was clean crew was friendly. (in 2123 reviews)
• Flight crew was very attentive. (in 2579 reviews)
• Hours late to my destination. (in 1566 reviews)
• Spirit is the worst airline! (in 953 reviews)
• Hardly makes for a cheap flight (in 288 reviews)

Traveler rating:

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15 Things Travelers Should Know Before Flying Spirit Airlines for the First Time

*in an ominous voice* It’s time.

I’ve shared my thoughts on Avelo .

I’ve shared my thoughts on Contour .

I’ve shared my thoughts on Frontier .

Today I’m sharing my thoughts on Spirit.

I first flew the budget carrier back in 2018, from Orlando to Asheville and back, and my flight more or less went off without a hitch. It helped that I’d previously flown Allegiant, and thus had some exposure to the ULCC (that’s Ultra-Low Cost Carrier ) flying experience.

Since then, I’ve flown Spirit more times than I care to admit. It doesn’t feel unfair to say the airline would be most travelers’ last choice (if money were no object, I doubt many would choose Spirit over a legacy carrier, wouldn’t you agree?), but the opportunity to save valuable travel dollars is what gets me on board, every time.

With all of this first-hand experience under my belt, plus a recent refresher thanks to a $75 fare to Boston , I thought it was high time to put together my review of Spirit Airlines.

New to flying Spirit? Here are fifteen things you need to know before flying Spirit for the first time:

1. You won’t be the only one

I’ve had enough conversations with seatmates to know that new passengers fly the airline every day. Even if you feel frustrated by the airline’s many quirks, you can find comfort in knowing you’re not alone. In casual conversations with the airline’s crew, I’ve also learned that for many, this is their first flight ever . If that’s you, I’m honored to be your guide today and help make your first adventure a breeze (so you can keep on flying to new destinations !). And if it’s not your first time flying ever? This is a good reminder to treat your fellow passengers with grace.

2. Bob and weave those extra charges

Trying to purchase tickets on Spirit’s website turns my internal “scam alert” signal on. From sneaky buttons to try to get you to enroll in the Spirit Saver$ Club (recurring annual fee: $69.95) to pop-up windows flashing with rental car deals, I find that the purchasing process is incredibly off-putting. Read the fine print carefully on every screen (believe me, there are so many screens).

3. Know these money-saving tips for bags and seats

Because you’re an informed flyer, you probably already know that the price you see for a Spirit flight is only the base fare to get you from A to B. What once were considered travel essentials (you know, things like luggage and a seat assignment) are now considered add-ons. Now, I won’t tell you how and when to spend your money – if you like traveling with multiple suitcases or have a favorite seat picked out and are willing to shell out for those items, go for it!

But for my fellow travelers who prefer to save that money to spend on other things, I have a few insider tips for saving on these categories. Baggage costs on Spirit can add up quickly (as in, doubling the price of your ticket), but all travelers are entitled to bring one personal item up to 18 x 14 x 8 inches for free. For my fellow travelers who carry a purse, you’ll need to place it inside your personal item or face a hefty fee at the gate.

My recommendation is to purchase a bag that maximizes these dimensions ( this is the one I personally use and highly recommend ), and learn to pack light for your trip. Can’t quite squeeze everything into a backpack? Consider sharing a carry-on or checked bag with your travel companion, and pay for your bag when you buy your tickets for the best price.

As for seats, the only way to guarantee that you will be seated with your party is to pay for them (Spirit’s family seating policy states, “If Guests with children aged 13 and under do not opt to pre-select seats at the time of booking, our gate agents and Flight Attendants will work to provide adjacent seats when possible.”

The when possible is critical to note here – it’s not a guarantee). However, only on rare occasions have Michael and I been assigned separate seats on a Spirit flight, typically only in the event of a plane change or cancelation (more on that in a moment). My advice for travelers who are willing to sit apart if needed? Save your money and skip the seat!

4. Is it really as cheap as it seems?

Before booking your Spirit flight, double-check that the final price of your ticket (with any add-ons) is actually cheaper than the competitor’s fare. If you’re adding bags and seats, it might not be!

5. Be prepared for tons of emails

In the days leading up to your departure, be prepared for 1-2 emails per day from Spirit advertising services for sale. From bags to rental cars to hotels to bidding on a better seat, they’ll appear in your inbox. I’ve grown so used to deleting email after email from Spirit that I’ve nearly deleted my boarding pass (whoops!).

6. Play “Check-In Chicken” ( if you dare )

Didn’t pay for seats? You can play what Michael and I call “Check-In Chicken.” For passengers who did not purchase seats, Spirit typically assigns seats from the back of the plane to the front. Starting at the 24-hour mark (when check-in opens), I periodically scope out the remaining seats on my flight to pick the perfect time to check-in. Only once enough seats in the rear of the plane disappear do I actually check-in for the flight. It’s risky on a full flight – flights can be overbooked – but I value hopping right off the plane and getting out to explore my destination quickly.

After checking in, be sure to print your boarding pass at home or download the Spirit app to access a digital version. If you need to have a customer service agent print your pass for you, it will set you back a whopping $25 each. Note : In the event you are unable to access your boarding pass this way, an agent should print one for you for free. I recommend keeping this page bookmarked just in case.

7. Be prepared to be uncomfortable

Thin, hollow seats with tiny tray tables and little room for your feet – that about captures the in-flight experience on Spirit. The airline prioritizes fitting as many passengers as possible onto each of their planes, and the result is getting to feel like a sardine for a few hours. My back is always so cranky after a ULCC flight that I’ve had to set a personal max flight time of four hours on any budget airline. To ease the discomfort, I try to get as many steps in as possible before and after my flight and add in a little stretching when I can.

8. Pack your creature comforts

If your flight is long enough, in-flight snack and beverage service will be offered on your flight – but like everything else, it’s not included (even water – it feels like it should be complimentary, but it’s not). Consider packing a meal or snack and filling up your reusable water bottle to save money and the environment.

While you’re at it, toss in your noise-canceling headphones – in my experience, there tend to be more kids on a budget flight than on a legacy carrier flight (I mean, I get it – I wouldn’t want to pay mainline carrier fares for an entire family, either!). Spirit flights in particular seem to be the noisiest, and carving out a little peace and quiet goes a long way to making the experience marginally more comfortable.

9. Pockets are your friends

In addition to helping you maximize your luggage space ( fishing vests and other multi-pocket garments are popular with budget travelers for this reason), garments with pockets are incredibly helpful in-flight, as many Spirit planes lack a seat back pocket. No one wants to have to chase down an errant AirPod midflight!

10. Flight attendants with attitude

And by that, I’m not talking about a bad attitude (though everyone has an off day now and again); I’m talking about how seemingly more often than not, Spirit flights often have a few sassy flight attendants on board. Dealing with grumpy passengers all day long can’t be any fun – flight attendants who recognize the frustrations of budget travel and flip it on its head add a little levity to the experience.

11. Like flying in a commercial

Picture this: you’re just forty-five minutes away from your destination and you’re deeply engrossed in your page-turner of an eBook when a voice comes over the intercom offering an amazing deal for passengers. Your ears perk up (snacks?? Maybe it’s free snacks?!), only to feel crushing disappointment as you realize the flight attending is advertising Spirit’s credit card offerings to an incredibly captive audience. You avoid eye contact and the waving pamphlet because you are uncomfortable and have no interest in being incentivized to sit in one of these seats again.

12. A delayed flight? That’s not a surprise…

Spirit’s annual on-time performance (OTP) record falls significantly short of the national average . Make sure to leave plenty of cushion in your itinerary in case your flight is delayed – as a general rule, flights that are scheduled for earlier in the day are more likely to be on time.

13. Flight canceled? Good luck.

Despite traveling quite frequently, I’m fortunate to have experienced very few cancelations along the way. Still, the contrast between how a legacy carrier handled a cancelation ( hotels, meals, and a hefty check – aided by strict EU regulations, of course) versus how Spirit handled a cancelation ( stranded for multiple nights with no assistance) is quite stark.

While it feels good to vent to the internet about your bad experience, I also want to add a few helpful tips should you ever find yourself with a “canceled” notification from Spirit (though I sincerely hope you never do!).

Before you even start booking flights, make sure you have a great travel credit card in your wallet. Had I not booked my trip with my Chase card , I would have been stuck with the bill for the additional nights I stayed in Raleigh after my Spirit flight was canceled (they refunded about $500 in expenses incurred). Travel insurance can also be a good help here (purchased before your trip!).

But when it comes to actually dealing with the airline itself, skip the lengthy (often hours-long) telephone hold times. Instead, head over to the brand’s official account on X (formerly known as Twitter) to get the quickest, and often least painful response. You’ll also have the benefit of getting everything in writing, just in case you need any documentation down the line.

14. They fly internationally.

Most of the ULCCs in the United States have limited international flight offerings, but Spirit has a hearty network of flights between the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean. I’ve only flown internationally with Spirit once (to Cartagena ), but the flying experience was about the same as flying domestically with Spirit: not great, but so much cheaper than the next airline. This leads me to…

15. Be prepared to go back on your word

After your first Spirit flight, these two things are pretty much guaranteed to happen:

• You’ll walk off the plane, shaking your head and muttering, “Never again.”
• Next time you’re booking a flight, you’ll spot a Spirit flight that’s so cheap you go back on your word.

I suppose it could always be worse (hey, at least it’s not Frontier !).

Questions for you

Have you ever flown on Spirit Airlines? What else do you think travelers should know before they book their first flight?

If you’re new to Spirit, what other questions do you have about the flying experience?

Why not fly on over to one of these related posts next?

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• How to Split Travel Costs When One Person Makes More Money
• What Happens When You Cancel a Non-refundable Trip?
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44 Comments on “ 15 Things Travelers Should Know Before Flying Spirit Airlines for the First Time ”

If they should happen to “rip” the entire wheel assembly off your checked bag… GOOD luck getting reimbursed! Happened to me and they offered me $20. I sent the check to the CEO and told him apparently they needed the money more than me!

I still haven’t braved a Spirit flight, but we have flown Avelo a few times and enjoy it because the airport they fly from is 15-20 mins from our house vs 1 hour 15.

That’s good to hear about Avelo! I’ve only flown them once before, but they just launched service closer to Charlotte and I just booked my second trip. I feel like both of these airlines are fairly comparable in terms of in-flight experience and pricing, but Spirit operates many more routes overall (helpful in case of cancellation!).

You forgot to mention, Spirit, has never had a fatal accident since its inception as an airline. If you’re going to point out all the negative. Maybe you should point that out as well. How many other airlines can say that?

You have a flight that sometimes costs less than a sandwich at the airport. No reclining seats….at least the guy in front of you does not have his head in your lap! I’ve flown with spirit more than 30 times, never paid for a seat and never not sat next to my partner! Cant say the same for southwest!Get the right size bag, check one big bag between two peopleif needed in advance only $30! Newest fleet in the USA. Learn spirits rules and fly cheaply and smugly!

I agree. Plus most airlines also charge for checked bags and choosing your seats. I also found with their bag pricing policies, fewer people check a larger suitcase making decorating a lot quicker on spirit

Hey Peter, Thanks for your info. Was wondering how to check a big bag in advance. I want to travel with my golf clubs. Can you carry on a hanging bag without being charged? Thanks for your help!

Also, Spirit has upgraded services in Michigan that are not yet in other larger airports… For example, checking in your own luggage without going to the agent….. Cool!!! And timely!!

Bill, I never knew that about Spirit, but was happy to hear that. I have been flying Spirit for many, many years. To me their prices have been awesome. Yes I no longer get round trip tickets for $26.00 Detroit to Florida. But I do pay their yearly fee, which has saved me a lot of money. I usually travel with just an under the seat carry on which helps on pricing. This week I just booked a non stop trip Det. To Dallas, each one ways. Total Cost was $85.00 +6000 miles from my membership & I had to check a bag each way because I was staying longer. Family in both states has saved me a lot of money!!!

With Airport hassles and no luggage for that 1 hour. I’ll drive

This is so true. She should get the facts before dissing SPIRIT AIRLINES. I personally travel very frequently with them. The only unfortunate thing that can sometimes make the flight not as pleasant is the ratchet clientele, because low fares draws alot of low class ratchet passengers

This was my first time using Spirit Airlines and it was a joy and frightful. Let’s start with the joy first: I love the wheel Chair Assistance program at Spirit, for seniors and the disabled. They not only get you checked in fast with ease but will also move you to the front of the plan for easy departure when the plane lands and closer to the rest room. Wheel chair Assistance even took me to pick up my luggage. They were very helpful. The frightening thing was when Spirit plane took off it made an engine noise as if it was about to go down for 15 minutes or more until it was at the altitude, than it stop. The plane repeated the same when at landing. I was so thankful to had safely landed. My suite case was caught in whatever and zipper front was ripped off and scuff shred marks down the front as if it was caught in a machine. The 15 Things mention was so correct plus more. The question is will I fly Spirit again and the answer would be yes in an emergency when funds are low.

Spirit has the newest planes of any airline Also I have measured the distance between seats in. United which I flew in Area that Spirit does not go to they’re is 3 inches more leg room also Flight attendants are the most courteous the man that wrote this article has shown a bais against SPIRIT I fly 25 times a year on this airline

Look I passed out flying Spirit pissed the entire seat. Sorry to the next person who got that seat because they sure didn’t do anything to clean it up. This was my first flight on Spirit but not my first time flying. Never again! Low price or not. NEVER AGAIN. They didn’t even have anyone qualified to help me, another passenger had to step in. Thank God for this angel.

Two words regarding spirit airlines: Never Again.

If you fly on Spirit, you’ll become one.

I fly Spirit quite often for international business trips but also quite a bit of leisure travel, enough to hold Gold Status. There are quite a few valid points here, however I have to disagree with the sassy staff.

I’ve yet to run into a Spirit flight attendant that was rude, despite running into multiple passengers cursing them out for things out of their immediate control.

If the weather is bad enough, no flights are taking off, that’s not their fault, yet people complain like the staff can fix the weather if they wanted to.

The add-ons can make the ticket more expensive so I just use their bundle option to make it simple.

The normal seats are pretty lack luster, no denying that, but I typically opt for the big front seat. (And I understand that doesn’t work for everyone)

And the staff pushing the Spirit credit card doesn’t happen on every flight but a polite no thank you or a hand wave is all that’s needed. The staff are human and just doing their job. I feel a lot of passengers seem to forget that and just get into their mind set that Spirit airlines is some kind of monster and all the employees are out to get them.

This comment won’t make much difference but if you do go on a Spirit flight try to understand that we’re all just people trying to get through the day.

Shitt and third class service cheap crue uneducated high school diploma holder running spirits airlines worst experience first and lost time bus service is way better

i booked a round trip flight to charlotte for a wedding. Booked on February. Wednesday May 29 arriving 5 pm. Returning June 1st leaving 5 pm. just got notice of flight changes. will arrive at 1159. How will i get my car rental and check in at hotel at that hour. Returning flight Bumped up a day May 31st at noon. WHAT?? i’ll miss part of the wedding. a 30 hr difference. A different day. I’d only be in Charlotte 1 day. ridiculous. they better refund me or find me another flight.

I flew on this airline once and never again. I fly often and would rather pay the extra charges for good to great service. The flight attendants were rude and non approachable. I would rather pay more and have a polite attendant than have a well groomed nasty make or female yo serve me. I getting ready to book a flight to Africa and going to be real picky about airlines.

My daughter, husband and myself were on a flight back from Vegas to Baltimore. My daughters son lived in an autism facility in Philadelphia at that time and before we took off she got a phone call from children’s hospital of Philadelphia telling her they found multiple tumors in her son and to get there as quickly as we could. The flight attendants, pilot did everything they could to get us a straight flight to Baltimore but unfortunately we had a layover in Atlanta and they couldn’t find a straight thru flight even with another carrier. They sat us upfront and comforted us the entire way offering snacks, drinks, etc. we did get to chop at 2 am after flying and driving all afternoon and night. These flight crews were wonderful to us and thank god my grandsons tumors were treatable with chemo and he is in remission. So there are some wonderful people who work for this airline. Also my grandson was not in hospital when we went on trip 3 days prior to this event or we never would have gone away. And one last thing Andy is home with his family and doing great.

And….. Spirit has more never planned than other around……

Spirit, like other airlines, has its Pros and cons….. If you are a light traveler you save a bundle with Spirit…. Take the batter essentials that fit the FREE Carry On and you are good to go…..

I am 60 years old. I took my first flight ever on spirit from Richmond, Virginia to Las Vegas. I had an awesome time. Everybody was friendly and polite and I’d recommend it to anybody.

Well, I am sorry to hear these tons of bad experiences, but I have to share my experience, traveling for years with Spirit, AXM – ORD round trip intntl, and domestic ORD – LGA. It is not the most comfy plane in the economy but (traveling in a group of 5) we have always sit together, baggage as expected never damaged, never delayed even with stop over. Hopefully Spirit implements the necessary actions to improve their service, as in terms of costs it is competitive, and you understand 5 travelling would not be possible with another airline.

I have several complaints about Spirit. I’ve flown them numerous times because, of course, I can’t pass up the cheap tickets. The latest was Feb 29th when I booked a 1 way to Vegas for my boyfriend and got the big seat in front for him as he has a sciatic issue and needed a wheelchair to even get to the gate. He finds out when he’s boarding that he was getting kicked out of that seat so some 20 something can have it and placed in 5 D instead. He’s a big guy anyway, was very uncomfortable the whole flight, not offered a reason or refund/ compensation and aggravated even more his sciatic nerve. Another time I flew to Sea Tac and due to weather was delayed so was offered a layover in Vegas which I took. Was given a voucher for a hotel room and when arriving at this so called hotel/ motel in a very bad part of lLas Vegas, was told that they do not honor this voucher and never had. I had to search for a hotel room after midnight that would take me. Another time , boyfriend and I flew to New Orleans and got the big seats in front, of course, paying for them. Come to find out, they had changed the flight , making it a 1 stop in Atlanta and when we disembarked and then returned to the plane to board again, found we lost our big seats to someone else who bought them. So we paid 60 bucks each for an hour of flying then had to go to the middle of the plane for the rest of the trip. This should be enough reason to stop flying on this airline.

I fly Spirit only because of the high prices from the other airlines have and I pay months in advance. I’ll pay for my seat but I can carry about 5 days in an adult size backpack. I found most hotels have an iron and if not 1 hour drycleaners work. See you in the sky or on a layover 🤙👍

Did you know that with Spirit, at times, you can buy tickets at the airport cheaper than online?

I never had any problems with them. Discomfort for a few hours so I can spend my money on an experience is better for me. They’ve always been a great airline service in my opinion. Sure these are all good points, but if you live by the “You get what you paid for” motto…then don’t fuss.

Absolutely avoid this airline. Just awful experience. They nickle and dime you for everything. And charge for services they don’t even provide. They will shut down soon anyway. They are awful they use fake accounts to reply on Facebook as well.

You can see easily the fake accounts they use on Facebook to respond to your post and complaints. I have to assume the positive posts here are probably fake as welll.

Iam on the Spirit sucks team

What bank is your check drawn on?

So true BUT…. Legacy Airlines are acting pretty much the same nowadays. Wasn’t any guarantee or even a real feeling or compromise with what you purchase, schedules or even good and direct communication when delays or cancelations. It’s awful, but after Covid [that’s the excuse for a while] I feel it’s no good Airlines anymore. I look for destination, flying time/avoid layovers and cost. That’s all. No loyalty, cuz none have been taking care of their customers.

Worst fucking airline never again. I book my trip less than 24 hrs and try to cancel it, it’s literally said they not giving me my money back. I hope to one books with you and you guys shut down. I guess that why the plane was empty you guys half where they no having no jobs.

I was coming back from a night of Disco and heavy drinking in Vegas. Had a layover so long in Detroit I ended up living there to this very day. Sorry don’t even remember the flight.

Is there internet on my international flight?

In theory, yes, WiFi should be available for purchase anywhere in the airline’s network, however, I would have a backup plan just in case it doesn’t work. You can learn more about Spirit’s WiFi availability here .

Does anyone know who spirit banks with? I have a judgement against them (they NEVER showed up in court) they don’t respond to subpoenas and I’d just like to attach their bank account for my 4,000!

I suggest bringing a portable power bank for your phone and a seat cushion for flights longer than 2 hours. Bring your own snacks and water.

I’m originally from Michigan and have been flying Spirits since their Inception which is an early 1990s, I’ve flown them over 100 times easily and I’ve had five issues out of all those trips, I understand flying a lower Budget Airline that there may be some small problems, legroom, extra charges, example, I once got an argument with someone who told me you had to pay for your seat, I told them that was an option you don’t have to pay for your seat and they went on to tell me that you did so I ended the conversation there, I don’t deal with stupid too well, in closing alls I’ll tell you is if you’re looking to save money don’t purchase the seed let them pick it for you, sometimes when you’re up in the air they will let you switch seats so if there’s a exit row seat available show a little kindness to the flight attendants who work hard by asking them would it be okay if I were to switch seats you’d be surprised how many times I’ve got into an exit row seat or a seat with more room by just being kind, also all Airlines have major flaws let’s keep it real, and flight delays happened to every Airline, so keep the bug out of your butt by bashing this carrier, have the day you deserve.

I flew for the first time on a budget airline (Frontier ) DFW-LAS i read the rules about the personal item size beforehand so i didn’t have any problem with my back pack, the leg room was enough for me, cons, a lot of people upset when their personal item doesn’t fit inside the airline’s sizer, no charger, no entertainment , tiny tray. overall, i was prepared for the worst and wasn’t that bad.

Spirit is a joke. You have to check all your luggage and the cost is outrageous. You can only carry purse or backpack. You have to pay to select. A seat So the flight is no longer a good price. I will never fly Spirit again.

When you pay for extra bag when booking your flight, during check in, you won’t find it there. They’ll make you pay for extra bag again… cunning system. Happened to my mom, and Happened to me. Then you’ll face rude and careless attendants on top all the money you paid. You’re right, spirit is not worth it.

I like Spirit only for their low prices and some convenient time schedules. It’s my go-to airline when I fly from BWI to DFW. I’m able to read the fine print and to know that this airline charges for everything other than a seat and a personal bag. I make it work for me as the savings makeup for any discomfort or other any inconveniences. I never made any purchases while on board. I’ve only paid for a carry-on bag just once, on an 8 day vacation, in which I knew I was going to bring back some souvenirs. All else has fit into a nicely compact personal bag that I occasionally have to suck the air out of when asked to put it in the luggage sizer. I have removed an item or two from my bag and threw it over my shoulder to reduce space in my bag.

Boarding the plane towards the end of the line can be tricky if that plane is full and there’s no longer any overhead storage space and you have to now check your bag under the plane. At 6 ft 3 and having to sit in the middle seat my last flight, this can be a discomfort if the bag has to be placed between your legs under the seat in front of your because you don’t want to separate from it. If the plane isn’t full, I will search for any two empty seats on the plane even though I have an assigned seat. That’s one reason I didn’t pay for a seat.

After a 2 plus hour delay, Spirit once sent me a message stating that they will give me a $50 credit for “making it right”. No complaints there as I try to avoid Spirit for connecting flights with another airline.

Not pretty but again I make it work for me.

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What to Know Before Flying Spirit Airlines

Here's everything you need to know before you fly.

When searching for flights on sites like Kayak or Expedia and sorting by lowest price, you'll likely spot some options from Spirit Airlines. But is flying with the ultra-low-cost carrier worth it?

Spirit is headquartered out of Miramar, Florida, and they're committed to offering you the lowest possible price. It's a bare-bones ticket, and all add-ons, including seat assignments, bags, and extra legroom, will cost you. The idea is that if you cut out all the extras most airlines charge for automatically, you'll be left with an inexpensive ticket and given the option to pay only for what you need.

Spirit operates more than 500 flights every day and covers more than 60 destinations within the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean. The airline also offers a Free Spirit Mastercard, a Spirit Savers Club, and Free Spirit points. Here's what you need to know before flying.

Fare Classes

Spirit Airlines has two types of seats: standard seats and what are called "Big Front Seats." With a standard ticket, travelers are entitled to one free personal item , like a laptop bag or purse. When purchasing your seat, it's best to pay for any carry-on or checked bags you intend to bring. While you're not required to pay for your checked luggage in advance, it will help save you money if you've covered the checked bag cost before arriving at the airport. If you check bags at the check-in counter, the cost goes up.

The Big Front Seats come with more space and extra legroom — and there are no middle seats, so you're guaranteed an aisle or window. The same luggage rules (one personal item, all other bags cost extra) apply to Big Front Seat ticket holders.

While these are the only two seating classes in Spirit Airlines' cabins, there is one more fare class: Spirit Savers Club members. Generally, they benefit from lower rates on their tickets. While the Spirit Savers Club fares aren't available on every Spirit Airlines flight, the savings can be pretty sizable when you're able to cash in on these deals. Savers Club members also get discounts on checked luggage and seat selection, as well as other options like shortcut security, shortcut boarding, and Flight Flex , which allows you to reschedule your flight without being charged.

Flight Change and Cancellation Policies

If a passenger changes their flight — or cancels it — 60 days before their flight, they will not be charged a change or cancellation fee. If you want to cancel or change your flight between 31 and 59 days from departure days before your flight, it costs $69. Between seven and 30 days from departure, that fee goes up to $99. And finally, changes or cancellations made six days or less before your flight will incur a $119 fee.

Baggage Policies and Fees

Let's get into the nitty-gritty of Spirit Airlines baggage fees. First, you get one personal item included in the price of your ticket. It must be 18 x 14 x 8 inches or smaller. Carry-on bags cost extra and must be 22 x 18 x 10 inches or smaller. Standard checked bags, meanwhile, should weigh no more than 40 pounds, and their length should be no longer than 62 inches. Baggage that exceeds 40 pounds is considered overweight and will incur an additional charge. Spirit does not accept bags that weigh more than 100 pounds and exceed 80 linear inches. Baggage fees vary widely depending on the flight and time of purchase and can cost anywhere between $35 and $150.

Spirit Airlines reviews often encourage travelers to pay for all baggage-related expenses in advance. "Yes, they nickel pick everything and you have to pay for basically everything but if you buy your ticket online through their website and purchase everything you need in advance, there will be no issues," wrote Lily R. on TripAdvisor .

Boarding Order

Travelers often assume that boarding on a budget airline is something of a free for all. Not so — there's a method to the madness. Spirit Airlines has four numbered zones, as well as pre-boarding and family boarding. As far as budget airline boarding processes go, Spirit Airlines has one of the clearest and easiest to follow. Here's the boarding line-up:

Pre-boarding

• Any passenger with a disability or who might need special assistance or additional time boarding
• Any passenger who paid for an additional carry-on bag (remember, one is included with the price of your ticket, but bringing more than one personal item costs extra)
• Any passenger who paid for Shortcut Boarding
• Free Spirit passengers with silver or gold status
• Any passenger with a Spirit Airlines credit card

Family Boarding

• Reserved for families with small children (typically, kids ages 3 and under)

Zone 3 and Zone 4

• General boarding

Amenities and Entertainment

Spirit Airlines charges for all food and drink. They offer snacks and beverages for purchase using a credit or debit card. To give you a sense of the prices, a bottle of water is $4, tea is $3, cans of soda or juice are $4, and coffee is $4. Cocktail combinations (e.g., a shot of gin and a can of tonic water) are $14, and beer and wine are $9.

Spirit Airlines does not offer in-flight entertainment. However, they do offer Wi-Fi onboard most flights. The "browsing" plan starts at $2.99, and the "streaming" plan starts at $5.99. Prices vary depending on the flight duration. The airline does not offer amenity kits, pillows, blankets, or outlets, so pack accordingly and charge your devices before you board.

Seats and Legroom

Spirit Airlines' standard economy seats have 28 inches of seat pitch. Most airlines' economy class seats have 30 inches of seat pitch. Spirit Airlines' standard seats have tiny tray tables — you can't fit a laptop on them. However, Spirit's Big Front Seats guarantee an additional six inches of legroom. The Big Front Seats come with 36 inches of pitch, and the width of the superior leather seats is 18.5 inches.

Standard tickets do not allow you to select your seat. Instead, Spirit Airlines will randomly assign you a seat. That means you may not get to sit with everyone in your travel party. If you'd like to choose where you sit, you must pay extra. Alternatively, you can purchase a Big Front Seat ticket, which allows you to choose your seat.

Spirit Airlines Credit Cards and Status

Spirit Airlines has two co-branded credit cards: Free Spirit Travel More World Elite Mastercard and Free Spirit Travel Mastercard. The elite card waives the annual fee for the first year, and then the fee goes up to $79 a year. The Free Spirit Travel Mastercard has no annual fee. These cards come with a 25 percent rebate on in-flight food and beverage purchased on Spirit Airlines, more opportunities to accrue Free Spirit points, and Zone 2 boarding, among other perks.

Spirit Airlines also runs the Spirit Savers Club (formerly the $9 Fare Club). Savers Club members enjoy deals like reduced fares on certain flights, discounts on additional carry-on bags for their entire party, and reduced prices on seat selection for their travel group. The Savers Club has plenty of restrictions — your party cannot be more than eight people, for example — and, according to Spirit Airlines reviews, people aren't always convinced it's a good deal.

"Beware of their so-called 'super saver club' - you don't really save and the $64 charge for it renews every year despite your attempt to cancel. Cancel online and later check to see that they've done so. Trying to do it at the airport gate is a fool's errand," said Thomas S. on TripAdvisor .

Finally, you can accrue points to earn elite status on Spirit Airlines. For every dollar spent on Spirit Airlines tickets and offerings (think: ancillary fees for baggage, boarding, food, etc.), you earn 1 Status Qualifying Point (SQP). To achieve Free Spirit Silver Status, you need 2,000 SQPs. To reach Spirit Gold Status, you need 5,000 SQPs. Silver and gold status get travelers perks like early boarding and advanced seat selection.

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What You Need to Know About Spirit Airlines Fees

Sally French is a travel rewards expert who joined NerdWallet in 2020. She previously wrote about travel and credit cards for The New York Times and its sibling site, Wirecutter.

Outside of work, she loves fitness, and she competes in both powerlifting and weightlifting (she can deadlift more than triple bodyweight). Naturally, her travels always involve a fitness component, including a week of cycling up the coastline of Vietnam and a camping trip to the Arctic Circle, where she biked over the sea ice. Other adventures have included hiking 25 miles in one day through Italy's Cinque Terre and climbing the 1,260 steps to Tiger Cave Temple in Krabi, Thailand.

She lives in San Francisco.

Elina Geller is a former NerdWallet travel writer specializing in airline and hotel loyalty programs and travel insurance. In 2019, Elina founded TheMissMiles, a travel rewards coaching business. Her work has been featured by AwardWallet. She is a certified public accountant with degrees from the London School of Economics and Fordham University.

Jeanette Margle leads the home loans content team at NerdWallet, where she has worked since 2019. Previously, she led NerdWallet's travel rewards content team and spent three years editing for Upgraded Points while self-employed as an editor and writing coach.

Jeanette earned bachelor's degrees in journalism and Plan II Honors from the University of Texas at Austin and has a Master of Education from the University of Houston. A lifelong Texan, Jeanette grew up in a small town in the Hill Country and lives in the Houston area with her husband and daughters.

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It can be easy to be fooled into thinking you scored a deal after nabbing a $26 flight to Las Vegas on Spirit Airlines.

But while the airfare itself is certainly cheap, there’s a good chance your total flight costs will far exceed $26. That’s because Spirit Airlines has one of the most comprehensive a la carte pricing models of any airline. Spirit seats on their own tend to be tantalizingly cheap, but things that other airlines typically include in the cost of airfare — like soft drinks and reserved seats — will cost you extra.

Suddenly, your $26 flight might start to cost the same, or even more, than the fares listed for non-budget airlines.

» Learn more: Spirit Airlines: The complete guide

Spirit Airlines bag fees

Base fares include one personal item, like a laptop bag or purse. But don’t think you can get away with not having to pay by stuffing all your possessions into a backpack, as even that might not fit. Spirit defines a personal item as anything 18 by 14 by 8 inches or smaller. Even something like this fairly standard-size Adidas backpack would be too large by Spirit standards.

For larger bags, like that backpack or rolling luggage, there’s a good chance that the cost to fly your stuff is more than the cost to fly yourself.

Spirit doesn’t publish standard bag fees, as they can vary not only based on route but also on when you pay for them. And the longer you wait, the more you’ll pay. If you’re paying at the gate, you could end up paying nearly twice as much as if you had paid the bag fee at the time of booking.

While fees can fluctuate, here’s what Spirit bag fees look like for the aforementioned $26 flight between Seattle and Las Vegas:

And that’s assuming your baggage weighs 50 pounds or less. Here are the additional fees you’d pay per bag if transporting large or heavy items:

For customers enrolled in Spirit’s add-on membership program called Spirit Saver$ Club, there’s some good news: Bag fees are discounted. The membership costs $69.95 for 12 months, $99.90 ($5 savings) for 18 months and $129.90 ($10 savings) for 24 months.

Here’s how much typical bag fees cost for that same flight if you’re a member of the Spirit Saver$ Club:

What does Spirit consider a personal item vs. carry-on vs. checked bag?

Depending on the size of your bag, it might not be considered a personal item, even if it fits under the seat in front of you. What’s more, you might not be able to carry it on, even if you think it’s a relatively small suitcase. Here’s how Spirit defines each type of bag:

Personal item: Maximum of 18 by 14 by 8 inches, including handles and wheels.

Carry-on: Maximum of 22 by 18 by 10 inches, including handles and wheels.

Checked bag: Maximum of 62 linear inches (length plus width plus height) including handles and wheels, and less than 100 pounds (overweight/oversize baggage fees apply).

Spirit Airlines change fees

In a move that brings them in line with many other carriers in the industry — even budget competitor Frontier — Spirit has done away with change and cancellation fees .

» Learn more: Plan your next redemption with our airline points tool

Fees to check in and obtain your boarding pass for your Spirit flight

There’s no fee to check in online for your Spirit flight. Once checked in, print your boarding pass at home, too, because it’s free.

But if you fail to plan ahead, you’ll have to pay up.

If you need to print your boarding pass at an airport kiosk, it costs $2. If you’re a luddite who prefers bypassing the kiosk in favor of a human, it costs even more: $10 to have your boarding pass printed by an airport agent.

Spirit waives those fees in a few circumstances, such as if you’re traveling as an unaccompanied minor, with a lap infant, or if you’re using a military ID instead of a passport and are unable to check in online.

Fees to select a seat ahead of time

Whether you’re trying to avoid the middle seat or you just want to guarantee that you can sit next to your kid, it’s going to cost you to choose your seat ahead of time.

Spirit doesn’t have a published list of seat assignment pricing as it varies per flight, though the airline says all seat reservations start at a minimum of $5.

But $5 is a liberal assumption for how much you’ll actually pay to reserve your seats. Here’s how much seat assignments cost on that same $26 flight between Seattle and Las Vegas:

The "Big Front Seats" have more legroom, are wider (no middle seat in the row) and cost an additional $40. The often-coveted seats in the emergency exit rows cost $20, and even a middle seat near the back costs $12 to reserve.

Fees for in-flight refreshments

Fees for in-flight food and alcoholic beverages are common across all airlines. Some more generous airlines will dole out complimentary in-flight snacks (we see you, Delta Biscoff cookies and JetBlue Terra Chips). But Spirit won’t even throw in a free Diet Coke.

All refreshments sold in-flight on Spirit come with a fee, such as coffee ($2), sodas and juices ($3), beer and wine ($8) and snacks like Pringles or Oreos (starting at $3).

In-cabin pet fee

Spirit charges $110 per pet container, each way, with a limit of four pets total in the cabin. Spirit allows you to put two pets in one container. If you are traveling with a pet or two, they’ll always ride with you in-cabin, as Spirit does not transport pets in cargo.

And even still, there are a number of limitations. Pets need to be small, since the container must fit under the seat, and pets must be able to stand and turn around in the container. Plus, the combined weight of the pet and carrier must be 40 pounds or less.

Priority boarding and security access

For an additional fee, you can whiz through security and be one of the first to board the plane. Starting at $7.99, Spirit’s “Shortcut Boarding” access allows you priority boarding in Zone 2.

Depending on the airport you’re departing from, you may also be able to pay for "Shortcut Security," though we don’t recommend it. It’s not TSA PreCheck , but it will allow you to go through security in an expedited lane. Costs vary per airport but don’t exceed $20, though it's not a guarantee your airport even offers the Shortcut Security program.

Unaccompanied minor fees

Is your kid flying alone? That’s an extra $100.

You’ll get hit with that unaccompanied minor fee if the child is 5-14 years old. On the bright side, Spirit will throw in a free snack and drink for your kid, a solid $6 value.

Spirit won’t allow children to fly alone if they’re 4 or younger, or if they’re traveling on a connecting flight, international flights or domestic flights that include a scheduled change of aircraft.

Bundle packages

Spirit offers bundled packages during the booking process. If you anticipate paying for a number of these fees anyway, then bundling them isn’t a bad deal.

Going back to that same flight between Seattle and Las Vegas, it costs $52.99 more for the Boost It package and $64.99 for the Bundle It package.

Here’s how much it would cost to order a la carte what you can get in the combo packages for one set price:

Boost It package (costs $52.99):

Pick Your Seat: $20 (exit row!).

Personal item: $0 (already included with airfare).

Checked Bag plus 10 pounds extra: $33 (if the bag weighs 40 pounds or less) or $63 (if it weighs 50 pounds or less).

Shortcut Boarding: $7.99.

The Boost It package is worth $88.99 in this scenario (if you take advantage of the 50 pound allowance), which is a $36 savings. If your bag is less than 40 pounds ($33) but you want to pick a seat ($20) and have Shortcut Boarding ($7.99), then you save only a few dollars on the Boost It bundle price. But if your bag is in that weight sweet spot (40-50 pounds), you’ll save $36 with this bundle.

Bundle It package (costs $64.99):

Pick Your Seat: $20.

Flight Flex: $45.

*It’s tough to assign a value to Spirit miles because you accrue a different number of miles based on your status within the Free Spirit program.

The 2x miles aside, the Bundle It package is worth $133.99 in this scenario, which is a $69 savings if you were to buy each item individually at booking. Spirit says it’s a $104 savings value, based on the company’s own mileage valuation.

Again, if you are packing that oversize bag (between 40 and 50 pounds) or you want the Flight Flex option (which we don’t really recommend), then it’s worth it. But if you want only a few things — say one checked bag that weighs less than 40 pounds, the ability to choose your seat and shortcut boarding — keep buying a la carte.

Fees across U.S. airlines

In NerdWallet's most recent analysis of airline fees , we compared seat selection, checked baggage and overhead carry-on baggage fees charged by the major U.S. airlines on typical one-way fares.

Note: This analysis is based on 2023 data and does not take into account recent baggage fee price hikes across multiple airlines. Our next analysis will happen in the fall of 2024.

Here's how they stacked up:

Spirit is a low-cost carrier, which means that the price you pay for the flight will include only the ticket itself. You will need to pay for everything you’d like to add such as bags, printing your boarding pass at the airport, selecting your seat, award redemption fees, meals on the flight, early boarding and more. The fees fluctuate based on when you purchase these add-ons, so a bag purchased at booking will be cheaper than if you purchase it at the gate.

Because Spirit is a low-cost carrier, you will need to pay extra for everything other than the flight. So, if you’ll be checking a bag, printing your boarding pass at the airport, purchasing food on the plane and paying for a seat up front, you’ll end up paying for each of these add-ons, which will increase the price of your ticket. If you often fly with Spirit and value these extras, the carrier offers the Spirit Saver$ Club, which provides discounts on bags, seats and more.

Spirit will assign a random seat to you during the check-in process. However, if you’d like to choose your own seat or select one at booking, you will need to pay for it. The proximity to the front of the plane also affects the cost of the seat. If you’re interested in the Big Front Seat, which is Spirit’s equivalent of domestic first class, it will be cheaper to purchase this seat in advance instead of at the airport.

You are allowed one personal item (e.g., purse, small backpack) free of charge. The dimensions must not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm) including handles and wheels. If your backpack is larger, refer to the carry-on and checked bag price list.

The bottom line

Book your $26 flight, but expect to spend a lot more than that.

You might have thought you could get away without a carry-on when you booked the flight, but as you start packing, you realize you’ll need a small rolling suitcase. That’s an extra $45 at check-in.

You don’t have a printer, so you’ll have to pay $2 to print your boarding pass at the airport kiosk.

You don’t want the middle seat so you accept you’ll pay $14 to choose an aisle, but why pay $14 for an aisle when it’s only $6 more for the exit row aisle? You pay $20 to choose a good seat.

Once flying, you pay $3 for a ginger ale. While your credit card is already out, you throw in Sea Salt PopCorners for $4.

Suddenly, your $26 flight has become $100. That’s not even including a number of other fees you might end up paying too, like pet fees, priority boarding and more.

Don’t be fooled into thinking Spirit has ultra-cheap fares. Traveling with Spirit is cheap if you pack uber-light — and pack your own snacks. For budget travelers who can plan ahead, Spirit can be a deal. But pay attention when booking, because your “cheap” Spirit flight might cost more than a ticket on any of the other airlines.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

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60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

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2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

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Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market.  See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our  credit card rating methodology .

Spirit Airlines Review – Seats, Amenities, Customer Service, Fees & More

Erin Miller

Content Contributor

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News Managing Editor

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Table of Contents

Basic information, spirit ticketing options, spirit frequent flyer program, spirit baggage and other fees, spirit inflight amenities and seat specs, spirit customer satisfaction, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

This general review of Spirit Airlines has been compiled to give you a quick glance at the airline from the viewpoint of a viable customer.

Have you ever wondered — how much does Spirit charge for baggage fees? Do you get snacks and drinks when you fly Spirit? How often is Spirit delayed?

We’ve outlined some basic company statistics, ticketing options, added fees (including baggage fees), seat specs, inflight amenities, customer satisfaction ratings, and more.

Airline: Spirit Airlines

Alliance:  N/A

Category: Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier

Frequent Flyer Program:  Free Spirit

Tag Line: “Less Money. More Go.”

About/Mission Statement:  “We live for More Go. It’s the big idea behind our business model, making it possible for more people to travel to more places, more often. And it’s what inspires us to Invest In The Guest, going beyond low fares to discover more ways to make our unique brand of customizable travel a great personal experience too.” ( source )

Daily Flights: 500+ (pre-COVID-19)

Destinations:  65+ (U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean)

Fleet: 150+ planes

Main Hub: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International ( FLL )

FAQ Guide: Frequently Asked Questions About Flying Spirit Airlines

Standard Fare

Spirit Airlines prides itself on offering “unbundled” fares. In a nutshell, this means advertising the lowest possible rate as a base fare. Spirit then gives customers the ability to add options that it calls À La Smarte options.

This means Spirit’s basic fare includes the most standard seat and 1 personal item. No refreshments, no seat recline, no Wi-Fi, etc. Spirit claims this generally lowers the cost of your ticket since with most other airlines all of these “frills” are included in your base fare, even if you don’t want them.

Additionally, while you can pay more for a little extra legroom, there are no traditional premium economy, business class, or first class fares on Spirit Airlines.

Spirit Saver$ Club

Spirit advertises a Spirit Saver$ Club (formerly known as the $9 Fare Club) that it claims gives customers exclusive access to some of the lowest fares available, as well as discounted baggage fees , seats, Flight Flex, Shortcut Security, and Shortcut Boarding. It also claims that Spirit Saver$ Club members are privy to special deals only available to members.

The cost of the program is $69.95 for 12 months, $99.90 for 18 months, or $129.90 for 24 months. The club’s discounts are also applicable for up to 8 persons on your itinerary if reserved under the same booking confirmation number.

Hot Tip: Remember that when booking with Spirit, an average traveler usually encounters added fees for options they generally don’t even consider when purchasing a typical airline ticket. For example, it’ll cost you $10 to print your boarding pass at the airport ticket counter vs. on your home computer. You can find more information on Spirit’s options/fees below.

Spirit debuted a new and improved Free Spirit loyalty program in 2021, adding new perks like accelerated points earning, seat and baggage benefits, the ability to pool points with family and friends, and a longer expiration date for points.

Free Spirit is free to join and you can earn points by flying on Spirit, spending on its Bank of America co-branded credit cards, or participating with its partner programs.

You can redeem Free Spirit points on award flights or with select partner products and services.

Hot Tip: For more information, check out our in-depth article on Spirit’s Free Spirit loyalty program .

Since Spirit Airlines starts with a stripped-down fare, there are a number of additional options that can be tacked on for an extra fee.

Baggage Fees

Spirit only includes 1 personal item with its standard fare. This means a carry-on and all checked bags are extra. Additionally, baggage prices increase the closer you get to take-off. So, your best bet is to pre-purchase your desired baggage allowance during your initial booking.

It’s important to note that Spirit Airlines has some pretty tight size/weight limitations for baggage:

• Personal Item: 18 x 14 x 8 inches
• Standard Carry-On: 22 x 18 x 10 inches
• Checked Bag: max linear dimensions of 62 inches, max weight of 40 pounds

The following table displays general fees for  MOST routes . However, for the most accurate baggage fee calculations, please use Spirit’s online baggage calculator tool here .

Reservation Center Booking: Spirit Airlines charges $35 per reservation center phone booking for both standard bookings and Free Spirit award tickets. Save yourself some money and book online if possible.

Seat Assignment and Big Front Seat: Unless you pay an extra fee, Spirit randomly assigns you a seat at check-in. It also can’t guarantee you’ll get to sit with your friends or family with this free assignment. Spirit urges customers to purchase a seat assignment to choose the seat they really want.

Seat assignments begin at $1 and can cost up to $50, varying according to your specific route and the exact location of seats on the aircraft.

Additionally, customers can purchase a Big Front Seat that comes with about 6 inches of extra legroom (see seat specs below). Since these seats are limited (usually 4 to 10 per plane), you can expect the cost to fall between $12 to $150 in advance or $25 to $175 as an onboard upgrade. This price is based on availability and flight length.

Boarding Pass: Let’s be clear here: when flying Spirit, check-in online and print your boarding pass at home or select an email boarding pass .  If you wait until you get to the airport, Spirit Airlines will charge $2 per boarding pass printed at a kiosk and a hefty $10 per pass printed at its check-in counters. Spirit argues that it utilizes more of its time and resources to print a pass at the airport, so that’s why it charges for it.

Refreshments Onboard: Spirit provides a menu with variable pricing from which customers can make a drink/snack selection.

Soft drinks, juices, and water currently cost $3, with coffee and tea costing $2. You can expect to pay $8 to $11 for alcoholic beverages and snacks vary from $3 to $8.

Modification Fees: These are fees applied to change or cancel your reservation . If you purchase Flex Flight for $35 to $45 at the time of booking, you’re allowed 1 flight modification at no extra cost as long as it’s done more than 24 hours prior to your departure.

• Change/Cancellation Fee:   $90 (online); $100 (phone/in-person); $50 (group booking)

As an added benefit to canceling online, customers are issued a $10 voucher (per one-way fare) if the value of the reservation is less than the cost of cancellation.

Update: Due to COVID-19, Spirit is waiving all change and cancellation fees for travel booked by March 31, 2021. Refunds will be processed as a full purchase price reservation credit.

Priority Boarding:  Customers who wish to acquire Zone 2 priority boarding (Shortcut Boarding) may pay $5.99+ per one-way ticket.

Standby Fee:  The standby fee is currently $99 per one-way flight.

Infant (Lap Child) Fee:  FREE (taxes may apply in certain countries)

Unaccompanied Minor Fee:  $100 per customer, each way (includes snack and beverage)

Pet Transport Fee:  $110 per pet container, each way (limited to 4 pets per cabin total)

How To Avoid Excess Fees

There’s an easy way to avoid a number of these excess fees, and it involves utilizing the member benefits of specific credit cards.

The following Capital One cards allow you to redeem Capital One miles for 1 cent each as a statement credit for certain added fees (baggage, inflight purchases, etc.) purchased within 90 days.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• $395 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status
• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
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What will my flight on Spirit look like?

Inflight Amenities:  As mentioned above, Spirit prides itself on offering the lowest possible base fare. This means a lot of inflight amenities many travelers are used to are simply unavailable.

• Spirit does not provide in-flight Wi-Fi, video streaming capabilities, or any onboard entertainment
• Refreshment service is limited to paid beverages and snacks only

Seat Specs: Seat specs for Spirit Airlines flights vary slightly depending on plane style. However, Spirit is notorious for having one of the shortest economy pitches of all domestic carriers. We’ve combined information from Spirit Airlines and SeatGuru  to aggregate the following seat specs.

In general, dimensions are as follows:

• Big Front Seats — 36-inch pitch, 18.5-inch width
• Standard economy seats — 28-inch pitch, 17.75-inch width

Hot Tip:  You can find information on Spirit’s boarding zones and boarding process here .

Are customers happy with Spirit Airlines?

While Spirit Airlines doesn’t drum up a lot of positive press when it comes to customer satisfaction, it is working hard to change the narrative.

Spirit’s new tactic involves talking up its standard fare and emphasizing the fact that stripped-down services are necessary to provide you, the customer, with the cheapest possible ticket option.

Here are a few examples:

Instead of hiding the fact that its seat specs are a little tight, Spirit states: “We’re a cozy airline; We add extra seats to our planes so we can fly with more people. This lowers ticket prices for everyone, just like a carpool.”

To justify its increasing baggage fee scale, Spirit says: “It costs time and resources to process at the airport, which means it costs you more money.”

To address its “no refunds” policy, Spirit claims it’s “trying to resell your ticket raises fares for everyone, so we don’t give refunds if your plans change. Insurance is available to protect you from the unexpected.”

Honesty and Transparency: One thing you can’t fault Spirit on is its honesty. It is very clear on its website that it is attempting to offer the best possible price by cutting unnecessary expenditures. It even states it’s proud to have broken some rules along the way.

Transparency on the other hand… not so much. With Spirit, it’s tough to determine your total costs until you’ve selected all your specifics, including destination, departure dates, add ons, etc. Without going through the motions all the way to your purchase point, customers are simply given quotes like “fees starting at $5.”

Most Common Complaints

What are the most common Spirit Airlines complaints?

The December 2020 Air Travel Consumer Report filed by the DOT ranks Spirit Airlines as having the fourth-highest number of consumer complaints across 13 reporting U.S. carriers (for October 2020).

For October 2020, there were 109 complaints out of 1,519,759 system-wide enplanements, or 7.17 complaints per 100,000 passengers. By comparison, Southwest had just 1.34 complaints per 100,000 passengers.

• Flight Problems (cancellation, delay, or misconnection): 5 / 4.6%
• Oversales: 1 / 0.9%
• Reservation, Ticketing, Boarding: 8 / 7.3%
• Fares: 6 / 5.5%
• Refunds: 67 / 61.5%
• Customer Service: 8 / 7.3%
• Baggage: 6 / 5.5%
• Disability: 6 / 5.5%
• Other: 2 / 1.8%

Consumer Rankings, Ratings, Etc. 

It’s difficult to compile all the rankings, ratings, reviews, and performance statistics into a single short synopsis, mainly because there are so many out there. Instead, we’ve listed a few of the more reputable options for a quick overview.

SkyTrax Ranking: 3 Star Airline (out of 5)

SkyTrax Customer Rating: 3/10 (average from 3,402 reviews)

ACSI Rating  (American Customer Satisfaction Index): 65 (lowest of 12 largest U.S. carriers in 2020)

AQR (Airline Quality Rating):  8th of 10 Overall

TripAdvisor Airline Review Rating: 3/5 (average from 21,702 reviews)

Performance

Bureau of Transportation Statistics

• Percent Flights Canceled: 2.31% (2020)
• Average Departure Delay, All Flights: 3.8 minutes (2020)
• Average Departure Delay, Late Flights: 59.63 minutes (2020)

People who speak positively about Spirit seem to be those who know exactly what they want out of a cheap flight: getting from Point A to Point B, and that’s about it. They’re expecting a stripped-down experience, and they’re expecting to encounter some surprise fees during the booking process.

They know what to pay for and when to pay for it, as well as where and what time to fly in order to secure some seriously cheap fares.

All in all, there are a number of factors that consistently land Spirit in the proverbial hot seat when it comes to customer satisfaction. Ticketing options are limited, extra fees abound, seat specs are tight, and inflight amenities are certainly lacking. Not to mention that the general consensus surrounding flying Spirit seems to be: don’t.

However, if you’re looking for an especially cheap fare, don’t mind a bare-bones flight experience, and aren’t too bothered about potential complaint-worthy hiccups, by all means… go ahead and book yourself a Spirit Airlines flight!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does spirit airlines charge for baggage fees, where does spirit airlines fly.

Spirit flies to over   65 destinations across the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean.

How bad is Spirit Airlines?

The December 2020 Air Travel Consumer Report filed by the DOT ranks Spirit Airlines as having the fourth-highest number of consumer complaints across 13 reporting U.S. carriers (for October 2020), with refunds being the top complaint.

How often is Spirit Airlines delayed?

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics:

Why is Spirit Airlines so cheap?

Spirit attempts to offer the best possible price by cutting unnecessary expenditures — seat specs are tight and inflight amenities are certainly lacking.

What is Spirit Airlines' frequent flyer program?

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Spirit adds new nonstop route from Florida to Birmingham, Alabama

Becoming Alabama-bound just got easier. Spirit Airlines has announced a new daily nonstop flight between Birmingham, Alabama and Fort Lauderdale, starting Oct. 10.

"Spirit's launch at Birmingham will mark the first time the airline serves the state of Alabama," a release from the airline said , "and will provide low-fare flight options to the Sunshine State and one-stop connections to Latin America and the Caribbean."

The Florida-based Spirit currently accounts for nearly one-third of all passengers at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. This announcement comes days after JetBlue announced new Fort Lauderdale flights to New York.

To promote the new route, Spirit is offering one-way fares starting at $69 for a limited time.

"We can't wait to welcome aboard Birmingham travelers looking for both an affordable and convenient way to enjoy Fort Lauderdale's beautiful beaches," said Spirit Airlines VP John Kirby. "Our new daily service will make flying to Fort Lauderdale more accessible and will provide an attractive alternative to driving. It will also make it easier for our Florida Guests to enjoy Birmingham's southern hospitality."

Spirit recently announced the airline would allow passengers, for the most part, to change and cancel flights without incurring any fees , potentially saving travelers hundreds of dollars. The airline also increased the weight limit for checked bags up to 50 pounds.

Is Spirit Airlines the cheapest, safest? 5 things to know about the Florida airline

Where is the Birmingham-Fort Lauderdale Spirit flight?

The nonstop flight travels from Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).

The airport is located in Jefferson County, about five miles from downtown Birmingham near the Interstate 20 and 59 interchange.

Attention passengers: These 3 Florida airports make list of worst to fly out of in US

How do I get the introductory $69 fare for Spirit flights to or from Birmingham?

The limited-time fares starting at $69 are for travel between Oct. 10 and Nov. 19, 2024, with a 14-day advance purchase required. There are no blackout dates but they are subject to availability.

What is Spirit Airlines carry-on bag policy? What is a personal item on Spirit?

Spirit Airlines announced some changes this year to bring them in line with the rest of the airline industry. The carrier upped the weight limit for checked bags to 50 pounds from the previous 40 and extended the validity of flight credits to 12 months. 

The company also announced it was eliminating change and cancellation fees.

Currently, Spirit allows one personal item for free and one carry-on item, for a fee. Personal items must fit in the smaller size box at the airport. The dimensions are 18”14”x8”, according to the airline's customer service .

Mike Diamond, Palm Beach Post and Zach Wichter , USA TODAY contributed to this article.

Spirit Airlines Continues Rapid Growth at SJC with the Addition of a Twice-Daily Nonstop Service to Hollywood Burbank Airport

SJC Media | (408) 392-1199 | [email protected]

San José, Calif. – San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) is happy to announce that Spirit Airlines is adding a twice-daily nonstop route to Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), just one year after the airline began operations in San José. Available for booking now, the flight will commence on September 4, 2024. The new service will bring Spirit’s total peak daily departures to 13, representing 150% growth since its inaugural SJC flight on June 7, 2023.

Spirit seeks to further expand its footprint at SJC and has applied to the US Department of Transportation to add nonstop flights between SJC and Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington, DC.

“Spirit Airlines continues to connect America to the heart of our innovation economy here in Silicon Valley,” San José Mayor Matt Mahan said. “Their new Burbank connection and bid for a direct flight to Washington, D.C. will help more people visit family, do business and experience all the Bay Area has to offer via the region’s most convenient and reliable airport.”

“I am pleased with Spirit Airlines’ continued expansion and steady growth at SJC. This demonstrates Spirit Airlines’ commitment to the community by offering more convenient flights and low-cost airfares to locations throughout the U.S. I look forward to their future development at SJC,” said San José City Manager Jennifer Maguire .

"San José Mineta International Airport congratulates Spirit Airlines on its continued success. We welcome this additional flight, bringing further flexibility and choice to Bay Area travelers flying to the Los Angeles area," said SJC Director of Aviation Mookie Patel . "Airlines and travelers alike gravitate to SJC for its premier location, convenience and reliability. We look forward to further strengthening our partnership with Spirit as we prepare for the possibility of launching a nonstop service from SJC to DCA."

“Our California Guests will soon be able to enjoy daily, low-fare high-value flights between two popular cities, San José (SJC) and Burbank (BUR), connecting the tech and media capitals of the world,” said John Kirby, Vice President of Network Planning at Spirit Airlines . “This new service compliments our daily non-stops to Los Angeles (LAX) while adding to the number of non-stop destinations served from SJC.” Flight times, fares and reservations for Spirit Airlines flights are available at spirit.com .   

About San José Mineta International Airport (SJC): Fly Simple   Fueled by a culture of innovation, San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) is the Bay Area's easiest and most dependable Airport due to its medium size, simple layout, temperate climate and location. SJC is located just minutes from downtown San José – the Bay Area’s largest city and the Capital of Silicon Valley. SJC is a self‐supporting enterprise owned and operated by the City of San José. In 2023, SJC welcomed more than 12 million passengers and was rated the Best Midsize Airport in the U.S. by Wall Street Journal. SJC currently offers nonstop service to more than 40 domestic and international destinations. The Airport’s two fixed-base operators, as well as several corporate aviation tenants, serve the business aviation needs of Silicon Valley; corporate and general aviation traffic represents more than a quarter of aircraft operations at SJC. In 2024, SJC is celebrating 75 years of connecting the Bay Area with the world. For more information and to connect with SJC on social media, visit flysanjose.com .

Spirit is cutting some flights at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Here's where and why

Spirit Airlines is suspending a route out of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Spirit is scheduled to cut its nonstop flight between Phoenix and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey in August, according to The Points Guy , citing flight scheduling data from the aviation data firm Cirium .

Spirit has been cutting routes recently as it tries to minimize its operational costs. The ultra-low-cost carrier reported a more than 6% drop in revenue from January to March 2024, according to the airline's first-quarter 2024 earnings report .

Spirit ending this route reduces the number of airlines with nonstop Phoenix-Newark flights from three to two. Here's what other flight options travelers have.

When will Spirit end its Phoenix-Newark flights?

Spirit Airlines' website shows its last nonstop flight from Phoenix to Newark is Tuesday, Aug. 13.

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Travelers can fly Spirit between Phoenix and Newark, but it will require a layover in Dallas.

What airlines fly nonstop between Phoenix and Newark?

Travelers can fly nonstop from Phoenix to Newark on United and American Airlines.

Southwest Airlines ended its Newark flights in 2019 , and Frontier Airlines cut the route when it left Newark in 2022. (Frontier is still listed as one of the airlines serving Newark on Sky Harbor's Where We Fly website , but when attempting to book the route on Frontier's website, it gives the message, "This route is currently not available.")

What airlines fly between Phoenix and New York?

The metro area's other major airport, LaGuardia Airport, has no nonstop flights from Phoenix. LaGuardia's perimeter rule prevents airlines from operating flights that travel more than 1,500 miles, except on Saturdays. Some airlines offered Saturday-only service between Phoenix and LaGuardia in the past, including Southwest and Delta , but the routes were unsuccessful.

Besides Newark, travelers' options for flights to the New York City metro area include a route to John F. Kennedy International Airport serviced by three airlines: American, Delta Airlines and JetBlue Airways. JetBlue recently announced it's expanding service in Phoenix , which includes adding its Mint business class seats.

More Spirit Airlines news

WalletHub recently named Spirit one of the best U.S. airlines of 2024 . And you might find Spirit flights among the cheapest destinations from Phoenix in June .

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at  [email protected] . Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:  @salerno_phx .

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