Spirit Airlines

HesCalledDyer
HesCalledDyer Maryland Posts: 16,491
in All Encompassing Trip
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.
Star Lake 00 / Pittsburgh 03 / State College 03 / Bristow 03 / Cleveland 06 / Camden II 06 / DC 08 / Pittsburgh 13 / Baltimore 13 / Charlottesville 13 / Cincinnati 14 / St. Paul 14 / Hampton 16 / Wrigley I 16 / Wrigley II 16 / Baltimore 20 / Camden 22 / Baltimore 24 / Raleigh I 25 / Raleigh II 25 / Pittsburgh I 25
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Comments

  • eeriepadave
    eeriepadave West Chester, PA Posts: 43,208
    from what i've heard, don't
     

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  • JOEJOEJOE
    JOEJOEJOE Posts: 10,822
    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
    Renfield NYC NY Posts: 1,054
    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
    F Me In The Brain this knows everybody from other commets Posts: 31,814
    I'd rather fly in the luggage compartment.

    Seriously, I would avoid.  They suck.  Frontier is a decent budget one, Spirit is unbearable.
    The love he receives is the love that is saved
  • PJ_Soul
    PJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,680
    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.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • JOEJOEJOE
    JOEJOEJOE Posts: 10,822
    Southwest is the best of the discount airlines.
  • F Me In The Brain
    F Me In The Brain this knows everybody from other commets Posts: 31,814
    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.


    The love he receives is the love that is saved
  • bootlegger10
    bootlegger10 Posts: 16,256

    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
    Wobbie Posts: 31,288
    a friend paid more for her bag than the quoted fare.
    If I had known then what I know now...

    Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
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    Philly I & II, 16
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  • Cliffy6745
    Cliffy6745 Posts: 34,028
    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
    jerparker20 St. Paul, MN Posts: 2,529
    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
    Wobbie Posts: 31,288
    yeah....who cares about getting somewhere when you’re supposed to?!
    If I had known then what I know now...

    Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
    VIC 07
    EV LA1 08
    Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
    Columbus 10
    EV LA 11
    Vancouver 11
    Missoula 12
    Portland 13, Spokane 13
    St. Paul 14, Denver 14
    Philly I & II, 16
    Denver 22
    Missoula 24
  • Indifference71
    Indifference71 Chicago Posts: 14,911
    edited October 2019
    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.
    Post edited by Indifference71 on
  • deadendp
    deadendp Northeast Ohio Posts: 10,434
    Just no. 
    2014: Cincinnati
    2016: Lexington and Wrigley 1
  • dudeman
    dudeman Posts: 3,160
    Spirit? Fuck 'em.
    If hope can grow from dirt like me, it can be done. - EV
  • Jason P
    Jason P Posts: 19,306
    I had the worst flying experience ever on Spirit. 
    Be Excellent To Each Other
    Party On, Dudes!
  • Poncier
    Poncier Posts: 17,893
    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).

    This weekend we rock Portland
  • mcgruff10
    mcgruff10 New Jersey Posts: 29,123
    spirit is garbage.  where are you flying from/to?
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • HesCalledDyer
    HesCalledDyer Maryland Posts: 16,491
    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.
    Star Lake 00 / Pittsburgh 03 / State College 03 / Bristow 03 / Cleveland 06 / Camden II 06 / DC 08 / Pittsburgh 13 / Baltimore 13 / Charlottesville 13 / Cincinnati 14 / St. Paul 14 / Hampton 16 / Wrigley I 16 / Wrigley II 16 / Baltimore 20 / Camden 22 / Baltimore 24 / Raleigh I 25 / Raleigh II 25 / Pittsburgh I 25
  • HesCalledDyer
    HesCalledDyer Maryland Posts: 16,491
    mcgruff10 said:
    spirit is garbage.  where are you flying from/to?
    BWI or Dulles to Minneapolis.
    Star Lake 00 / Pittsburgh 03 / State College 03 / Bristow 03 / Cleveland 06 / Camden II 06 / DC 08 / Pittsburgh 13 / Baltimore 13 / Charlottesville 13 / Cincinnati 14 / St. Paul 14 / Hampton 16 / Wrigley I 16 / Wrigley II 16 / Baltimore 20 / Camden 22 / Baltimore 24 / Raleigh I 25 / Raleigh II 25 / Pittsburgh I 25

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