Spirit Airlines

HesCalledDyer

Anyone ever fly them? What was your experience like? Tips, tricks, recommendations? I’m trying to fly as inexpensively as possible but, having only flown 4 times in my life, I’m also leery of “discount” airlines.

eeriepadave

from what i've heard, don't

 

https://community.pearljam.com/discussion/221151

JOEJOEJOE

I flew Spirit once round trip from L.A. to Vegas.   For the return flight, they changed the departure time twice.

If you do opt for Spirit, pay close attention to their baggage fees....they charge for carry-on.  Also, make sure you pay for any options in advance because they really gouge you if you pay for said options at the gate.

Renfield

I’ve flown on Spirit a handful of times. Definitely no frills. And very snug seating, which is difficult on longer flights. Be careful of prices to check and carry-on baggage. I’ve never had a cancellation or major delay.

F Me In The Brain

I'd rather fly in the luggage compartment.

Seriously, I would avoid.  They suck.  Frontier is a decent budget one, Spirit is unbearable.

PJ_Soul

I wouldn't fly any discount airline, ever. I don't trust them at all. I know too many people who have been so fucked over because they went for cheap instead of reliable. If the flight doesn't get cancelled, then there is always the possibility that the whole damned company goes bankrupt and you lose your flight anyhow, lol.

JOEJOEJOE

Southwest is the best of the discount airlines.

F Me In The Brain

I fly more than most and believe the delays and related bullshit happen on most airlines.  The issue with Spirit is that they build their planes and deal all around being the cheapest possible....and that is rarely a good thing. 
I don't care for SWA, but have flown it lots and it treats you just as well (if not better ) than the big boys.  Don't care for their seating policies and old planes but they do treat you well.

bootlegger10

Here is my comment:  It is a budget airline.  They charge cheap fairs and if you can get around all the hidden fees for carry ons or checked bags, then you can get a real cheap flight.   You get what you pay for.  There is no mystery in this decision.   As with everything, the less you pay the less you generally can hope to expect. 

If you are flying in and out for a quick concert then I wouldn't risk Spirit.  If money is an issue though and your travels can handle a 5 hour delay then Spirit might be for you.  Don't expect TV, maybe wifi or a seat that reclines. 

Wobbie

a friend paid more for her bag than the quoted fare.

Cliffy6745

I flew it to Vegas once as part of a bachelor party. Seats were really tight but everything else was fairly smooth as I remember. Flew a standard airline home. Wasn’t chancing that shit on a Vegas hangover.

I didn’t have a bad experience but have heard some horror stories 

jerparker20

Heres my take on Spirit as someone who has flown several times with them. I would avoid them if the flight is non-direct, or of you need to be somewhere at a specific time. I’ve had two bad experiences with Spirit on non direct flights. I won’t booked a non-direct with them, and gladly pay the extra money for a direct flight on a different airline.

Now, if it’s a direct flight and you don’t need to be somewhere at certain time, I’d be okay with flying them. 

Wobbie

yeah....who cares about getting somewhere when you’re supposed to?!

Indifference71

I'd rather take a greyhound bus than ever fly Spirit again.  Absolute trash.  I'm 6'2 and felt like I was 8 feet tall sitting in those seats.  And don't believe whatever price they quote on their website...so many extra fees.  I'm shocked they don't charge people to take a piss.

deadendp

Just no. 

dudeman

Spirit? Fuck 'em.

Jason P

I had the worst flying experience ever on Spirit. 

Poncier

JOEJOEJOE said:

Southwest is the best of the discount airlines.

Absolutely.
Only issue with Southwest is the open seating thing which is only an issue when flying with the wife and kid and making sure you get 3 seats together. But other than that they are the way to go. And still not charging for checked bags (up to 2 per person).

mcgruff10

spirit is garbage.  where are you flying from/to?

HesCalledDyer

Thanks guys.  That's about what I was afraid of.  I did notice the fees are more than the airfare itself. It was still coming out cheaper than other airlines, but not enough to warrant all the bad mojo.

HesCalledDyer

mcgruff10 said:

spirit is garbage.  where are you flying from/to?

BWI or Dulles to Minneapolis.

Poncier

HesCalledDyer said:

mcgruff10 said:

spirit is garbage.  where are you flying from/to?

BWI or Dulles to Minneapolis.

Check Southwest, use the low fare calendar on their website. Not sure when you are going, but looks like you can do BWI to MSP for less than $200 round trip most dates in November for example, and no added fees with Southwest.

https://www.southwest.com/air/low-fare-calendar/?int=HOME-BOOKING-WIDGET-LFC

HesCalledDyer

Poncier said:

HesCalledDyer said:

mcgruff10 said:

spirit is garbage.  where are you flying from/to?

BWI or Dulles to Minneapolis.

Check Southwest, use the low fare calendar on their website. Not sure when you are going, but looks like you can do BWI to MSP for less than $200 round trip most dates in November for example, and no added fees with Southwest.

https://www.southwest.com/air/low-fare-calendar/?int=HOME-BOOKING-WIDGET-LFC

They seem to have the best deal.  Just a quick 2 day trip for a show and I've flown with them before so I know what to expect.

mfc2006

We’ve flown Spirit a few times. Like others have said, it’s not god awful if the flight is direct and under 2.5 hours. Anything longer than that it feels very cramped.

PJ_Soul

A pilot I know who flies for WestJet told me that only the shittiest pilots with less training and dodgy employment records work for these super discount airlines because they are the only pilots desperate enough to work for them. Another good reason to not fly with these kinds of companies!

JOEJOEJOE

Poncier said:

JOEJOEJOE said:

Southwest is the best of the discount airlines.

Absolutely.
Only issue with Southwest is the open seating thing which is only an issue when flying with the wife and kid and making sure you get 3 seats together. But other than that they are the way to go. And still not charging for checked bags (up to 2 per person).

I agree the open seating can be tricky but if you check-in online right when you are allowed to, you usually get a good boarding position which translates into better seats.

oftenreading

JOEJOEJOE said:

Poncier said:

JOEJOEJOE said:

Southwest is the best of the discount airlines.

Absolutely.
Only issue with Southwest is the open seating thing which is only an issue when flying with the wife and kid and making sure you get 3 seats together. But other than that they are the way to go. And still not charging for checked bags (up to 2 per person).

I agree the open seating can be tricky but if you check-in online right when you are allowed to, you usually get a good boarding position which translates into better seats.

Can't you also pay a piddly amount, like $10, to automatically get in the first boarding group?

Poncier

oftenreading said:

JOEJOEJOE said:

Poncier said:

JOEJOEJOE said:

Southwest is the best of the discount airlines.

Absolutely.
Only issue with Southwest is the open seating thing which is only an issue when flying with the wife and kid and making sure you get 3 seats together. But other than that they are the way to go. And still not charging for checked bags (up to 2 per person).

I agree the open seating can be tricky but if you check-in online right when you are allowed to, you usually get a good boarding position which translates into better seats.

Can't you also pay a piddly amount, like $10, to automatically get in the first boarding group?

Its more than 10 bucks, its between 30 and 50 depending on the flight, but yeas you can upgrade into the first group for a small fee.
Usually have no problem, make sure to check in as soon as possible (24 hours before flight) and get either late in the A group or early in the B group.
Had one problem once when we got to gate when they were almost done boarding because the numbskulls at the check in lines were trying to rebook folks whose flight to Chicago got cancelled and everyone in line stood motionless for an hour before someone spoke up and they set the Chicago passengers aside and went back to regular business. My kid was still pretty young (9 or 10) and there were only scattered single seats left, but a gentleman moved so my wife & son could sit together and I sat separately which was fine,

Wobbie

Poncier said:

oftenreading said:

JOEJOEJOE said:

Poncier said:

JOEJOEJOE said:

Southwest is the best of the discount airlines.

Absolutely.
Only issue with Southwest is the open seating thing which is only an issue when flying with the wife and kid and making sure you get 3 seats together. But other than that they are the way to go. And still not charging for checked bags (up to 2 per person).

I agree the open seating can be tricky but if you check-in online right when you are allowed to, you usually get a good boarding position which translates into better seats.

Can't you also pay a piddly amount, like $10, to automatically get in the first boarding group?

, but a gentleman moved so my wife & son could sit together and I sat separately which was fine,

maybe the BEST option!

mcgruff10

Anybody use frontier before?   I see some pretty low fares out of Trenton but am hesitant to use them.  

F Me In The Brain

Frontier is not bad for direct
  Flew them from Trenton to Cincy for PJ show and they were fine.  For sure it is low rent, but normal seats and cheap as can be.
Trenton airport is a joke, is funny to fly from there.