Spirit Airlines

huwehotaling · March 2012

Spirit is going to start flying out of my home airport (MSP). They have a great deal to Vegas right now ($188 roundtrip) but I've heard so-so reviews about the airline. Anyone flown with them before or have feedback? Thanks

melissainabq · March 2012

I've never flown with them, but the general consensus is to be prepared to be charged for every single thing. They have so many little fees for things and their baggage restrictions are so strict that you may come out better using a regular carrier.

Wine Enthusiast · March 2012

I flew them to Vegas and they were fine. I researched all their fees and even including them their fare was much lower than anyone else for the dates I needed. H and I brought only 1 bag to save on luggage fees. I did not pay to choose my seat in advance but instead got to the airport a little early for each flight and was in like row 14 or something. Both flights were early and smooth.

kjewell · March 2012

I personally haven't flown with them but I haven't heard anything good about them. I had 2 different people tell me that by the time they got done charging extra fees (including a carry-on fee) is was no cheaper and perhaps a little more then the other airlines.

huwehotaling · March 2012

Wine Enthusiast:
I flew them to Vegas and they were fine. I researched all their fees and even including them their fare was much lower than anyone else for the dates I needed. H and I brought only 1 bag to save on luggage fees. I did not pay to choose my seat in advance but instead got to the airport a little early for each flight and was in like row 14 or something. Both flights were early and smooth.

What other fees do they have besides carry on bags?

melissainabq · March 2012

Depends on whether you want a seat ahead of time, if you print your boarding pass at the airport and more

http://www.spirit.com/OptionalFees.aspx

missywong · March 2012

I read a lot of horror stories online and we were very wary because our tickets only cost $38 each round trip! We flew from Dallas to Las Vegas with them a few weeks ago and it was totally fine. Just like any other airline actually because I typically sleep through the beverage service anyways! We did know about all the fees ahead of time, but we just packed in backpacks only and did not pay for seat assignments. If we had paid for luggage check-in or carry-on r/t, I think it still would have been a great deal for a quick getaway. You should check in on-line and print your boarding passes up to 24 hours before your flight and there should be no problem getting seats next to eachother. Most of the people traveling together were sitting together anyways.

umdsmlee · March 2012

Honestly, I know the fares are pretty low but unless it's a ridiculous deal (like $38 each way - that's awesome!!), it's worth the extra $50 or whatever to go with another carrier. We just flew Spirit to and from St. John's to Ft Lauderdale/DC and it wasn't so much the extra fees they charge but the absolutely filthy condition of the plane. I'm not someone who usually notices these things, but the plane was literally disgusting. Like blackened used gum smears on the seats, crumbs all over everything, sticky/gross trays...ugh. The plane also smelled awful and every once in a while I still get a whiff of 'spirit air' and cringe. Never again!

roar · March 2012

Spirit Airlines = Chinatown Bus of the airline industry.

I wouldn't fly them for anything beyond 2-3 hours. Or if you are REALLY pressed for cash.

missywong · March 2012

roar:

Spirit Airlines = Chinatown Bus of the airline industry.

I wouldn't fly them for anything beyond 2-3 hours. Or if you are REALLY pressed for cash.

seriously? Hmm

Rock-n-Voll · March 2012

missywong:
roar:

Spirit Airlines = Chinatown Bus of the airline industry.

I wouldn't fly them for anything beyond 2-3 hours. Or if you are REALLY pressed for cash.

seriously?

This is totally deja vu all over again. The same comment was made the last time this came up, though I can't remember if it was roar or someone else.

I wouldn't insult the Chinatown buses this way. For the most part they're now excellent. Fung Wah still sucks but Megabus and Bolt Bus rock.

missywong · March 2012

I don't get all the Spirit Airlines hate on here. I've had worse experiences on Continental and United and way way worse on airlines throughout Asia. Have you people never flown on Ryan Air in Europe or Air Asia?..same concept!

Rock-n-Voll · March 2012

I've been on Ryan Air. Still hate Spirit more.

Just because you've had worse experiences elsewhere doesn't make Spirit good.

missywong · March 2012

Rock-n-Voll:

I've been on Ryan Air. Still hate Spirit more.

Just because you've had worse experiences elsewhere doesn't make Spirit good.

hmm I don't think I ever said Spirit was good. My point is that they are not so very very very bad to totally discount them, especially for a very good deal. I don't know if $188 to Vegas is a good enough deal though, OP.

roar · March 2012

Rock-n-Voll:
missywong:
roar:

Spirit Airlines = Chinatown Bus of the airline industry.

I wouldn't fly them for anything beyond 2-3 hours. Or if you are REALLY pressed for cash.

seriously?
This is totally deja vu all over again. The same comment was made the last time this came up, though I can't remember if it was roar or someone else.
I wouldn't insult the Chinatown buses this way. For the most part they're now excellent. Fung Wah still sucks but Megabus and Bolt Bus rock.

Megabus and Bolt aren't even the same category as Fung Wah. The goal is to get you there safe and relatively on time. Will Spirit and a Fung Wah bus do that? Yes. Are they both relatively cheap compared to Bolt or Mega? Yes. Will you enjoy it less than if you took another carrier? Probably.

Spirit is just dirty. When I worked at an airline, I would occasionally fly other airlines based on location and/or time. Once I flew Spirit. As a courtesy to the other carrier, we will help tidy up the cabin for turnaround. As I was doing that on a Spirit flight, I stuck my hand in the seatback pocket (barehanded, which was my first mistake) and pulled out a half-melted, half-eaten chocolate bar. Really? And the FA laughed, gave me a wipe, and said, "Looks like we missed another one!"

EW.

huwehotaling · March 2012

Thanks for the feedback. $188 is a really good deal from MSP to LAS, but I'll keep my eye on the other airlines first.

UsToo · March 2012

We flew them from SD to Las Vegas. Never again. They charge for carry on and it is more expensive than checking your bag in. We booked through an online travel agency and were not informed that you also had to pay for carry on.

We had to fly back early for medical reasons and the cancellation fees they wanted to charge us meant that not only were we losing the cost of our tickets (which we accepted would happen) but had to pay extra as well.

Some of the guys of the plane reminded me of characters in the movie "The Hangover" and came on carrying take out pizza boxes.

The staff looked jaded.

After that flight I became a dedicated fan of SouthWest Airlines.

Smiles72 · March 2012

Spirit is definitely cheaper but they are HORRIBLE.

I stick with Delta when i fly. I fly from Detroit into NY and the one time I chose Spirit because they were cheaper, it turned out that with the bag cost, I paid more than I would with Delta. The plane is filthy and was about 3 hours late. Delta is my favorite

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