I know, I know… but for reasons, I’m flying to Ft. Lauderdale next month on Spirit. I’ll have a personal item, no carry-on or checked (return flight is the same evening), so I’m not paying extra for any of that.

I did spring for the “Big Front Seat” because a) I’m fat, and b) I fly first pretty much all the time anyway, and c) the tickets were so ludicrously cheap, it was still cheaper than any other carrier by quite a margin.

I can read all the reviews and complaints, most of which seem to be centered around the a la carte pricing for absolutely everything. I don’t care about that. I actually like it, and they’re very up front with the menu options and pricing, so it’s easy to bake that in ahead of time. I’m also not concerned about the “Greyhound of the Skies” angle so much because most major carriers are like that anymore.

All that being said, is Spirit really that terrible? Is this going to be a “never again” or a “where can we fly next weekend?” kind of experience?

-Rob

Make sure you wear suspenders. That when, when you commence to fighting and rolling around on the ground with one of those big girls, your draws stay up.

You can't end up on youtube with your draws around your ankles. It ain't dignified.

You could fly Spirit or you could wind up on TV like my wife, daughter, and youngest son after Spirit cancelled all flights across the entire country for 3 days:



You pays yer nickel, you takes yer chances.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: trapper189,

Their on-time and completion record isn't so stellar. I don't fly them for anything where schedule is important.

I take them regularly between MYR and FLL.

Delays are regular. If at all possible, take the first flight in the morning. Otherwise, expect regular delays, not announced until the last moment.

If there’s a “fee” for security, pay it. I didn’t, once, as I have pre check, and my boarding pass did not have pre check on it.

Clear is useful if you will regularly be flying from FLL

quote:

Originally posted by BurtonRW:

All that being said, is Spirit really that terrible? Is this going to be a “never again” or a “where can we fly next weekend?” kind of experience?

-Rob

I've flown Spirit a couple of times. You have the correct approach.

Their fares are dirt cheap and they make up for it if you decide you want an assigned seat, or if you screw up and have an oversize/overweight bag. But, if you understand you're flying with no frills, it can be a pretty good deal.

That said, I would only fly them for shorter flights of under 3 hours.

It’s fine if you’re under no pressure and understand the rules. I would not rely on them if I had a tight schedule or tim8ng was critical. I’ve had a decent experience with them.

They canceled my flight from LAX to PHX, claiming it was too hot to fly. All the other airlines were still flying that route. They said it could be a few days before they could get me home, no offer of any comp at all. They almost had a riot at the ticket desk and had to call the cops to protect them. I went to rent a car and just drove home.

I took a red eye spirit from Oakland to Detroit a few years back. Only direct flight during the time I needed that wasn’t 3x as much. Make sure your phone/laptop is fully charged. The seat had about a moving blankets worth of thickness for a pad. But it was really cheap Vs a lot, lot more. I was only going for a weekend so I only took a Carry on I don’t recall paying extra for that but nothing was passed out that wasn’t for xtra charge. A quick 1-2 hour flight I might tolerate for cheap but next time I’ll pop for more cash for the amenities on a longer flight.

My son and I flew Detroit to Las Vegas round trip on Spirit a few years back.

I'll just say I'm a member of the Never Again Club and leave it at that.

quote:

Originally posted by BurtonRW:


All that being said, is Spirit really that terrible? Is this going to be a “never again” or a “where can we fly next weekend?” kind of experience?

-Rob

Well, by hook or by crook, you're about to find out.

I've flown them a few times in the last couple of years. All to Orlando from BWI and back. Used them because they where cheap and like you I didn't need anything but my "personal item". They are what they are.

Sounds like you understand how they work pricing wise. I think many of the problems come from people looking for a cheap flight and not understanding how they work with baggage and other things.

I've had them check my personal item before. Just make sure it fits their rules.

I've found some of their agents to be very friendly and some to be just plain rude for no reason.

Remember it's a budget airline out of Baltimore so you get some interesting people. Although like I said I've never had a problem beside a slight delay of maybe an hour.

I would never fly them if I had a carryon and checked luggage. At that point I would just fly one of the big airline.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: comet24,

"Spirit in the Sky" a fun rock 'n' roll tune.

Dibs

In all seriousness, dude, life is too short to fly Spirit Airlines

Wife and I flew Spirit one time. Needed to get to Boise to pickup her new Tacoma. Las Vegas to Boise flight was less than $50, everyone else wanted at least $300 each, with many needing a change of planes.

No issues, left on time, arrived on time. Read their rules regarding carry on stuff, no problem.

But unless the price difference was that great and I didn't HAVE to be somewhere, I don't know that I would try that again.

quote:

I would never fly them if I had a carryon and checked luggage. At that point I would just fly one of the big airline.

We could have gone to Florida really cheap.
But... we were going for a week so we had bags. After calculating baggage fees we decided it wasn't worth it and flew Southwest.

You understand the rules so you will be fine. I have flown them with family and I have flown them by myself. The big front seat is nice, just like a first class domestic seat.

I have flown Spirit numerous times out of Pittsburgh and also out of Latrobe, a smaller, regional airport when I can. I use them for trips to Las Vegas and Florida. They used to have multiple routes from Latrobe to several Florida cities, but now are just down to Orlando and Myrtle Beach seasonally.

The route from Pittsburgh to Las Vegas is non-stop, which is the only way I will fly on Spirit. And the return flight non stop is a redeye so I usually spring for the big front seat on that flight to sleep much more comfortable. I check a bag, and have really had minimal to no issues on the Las Vegas trips.

I have had issues with them on Orlando routes though, as they really have no extra planes in many locations and do not code share with the higher cost carriers, which is why they can never put you on another flight. Their routes are limited and if they experience an equipment or maintenance issue, you are left sitting until they can fly in a plane to get passengers back on schedule. Not very customer centric, and a problem if you have schedule or business time requirements. I don't get too upset if it is on a return home trip, but it does tick me off when it is on an outbound leg. That is also why I avoid connecting flights with them like the plague.

I don't mind the ala carte pricing, but really, if you check bags, pick a seat assignment and preferred boarding, you are not really saving a lot over many other carriers, but I still prefer their system over the Southwest herd mentality boarding. The Pittsburgh to Vegas flights have been on time and they have been flying newer Airbus jets that are pretty comfortable. The Vegas flight is about 4 hours in the air. The pricing definitely changes the closer they get to capacity, for instance, this coming June 2nd I am flying to Vegas, and for the return flight the big front seat was only priced at $73. It is usually over $230 for the seat, so I booked the seat for the return. Just flying in a regular seat on teh daytime trip out there though. I can stand that no problem, but sleeping is much better on the return leg on the redeye.

I have used Spirit numerous times with no issues. PA to FL and PA to SC.