Experiences flying with Spirit Airlines?

[tennisaddict]

I'm considering flying with Spirit Airlines on my next trip out to Vegas. I've never flown with them. Any one have any tips or experiences with them, good or bad? I know they nickle and dime you, but how badly do they charge for stuff like carry-ons, etc?

[headstrong]

Go into it expecting a flight delay. That way when there is your not upset and if there isn't it is great news.

Yes they do nickle and dime you and they charge for carry ons, checked bags, etc. Except $20+ for each charge depending on if you purchase it when you book the f light or at the gate. At the gate will cost a ton more.

[artedm]

Spirit is the lowest cash fare airline you will find.
They started out in Florida and a couple of years ago started flying vegas-lax for super cheap like $20.
That is when I first took them.
My first flight I was sitting next to a girl who was from vegas but worked in la for a movie director. I noticed she was wearing like four shirts I asked her about this and she mentioned the bag charges how one small bag is free. That experience helped me understand when to take spirit and when not to.
On Spirit there are
1. change fees $125
2. carry on and checked bag fees (although one small carry on is free)
3. food and drink fees

On Southwest
you have
1. no change fees
2. no bag fees
3. free drinks/ peanuts

Since then I have taken spirit from portland, la, san diego, cabo, vegas, denver, dallas, chicago, dallas, fll, san juan, st thomas, cancun and never had a problem.
Again you have to know the system
If your 100% certain on dates and traveling light you will be fine. You even save $17 each way by buying at the airport.

Horror stories:
I was in vegas and a man was trying to get on the plane and his carry on was over sized and they wanted $100. The man said no way and the ticket counter gave him a plastic trash bag upon which he emptied his suitcase into and carried onto the plane.

Just this saturday they put me in the last row. I was on the aisle seated next to two young 21 year olds girls. As the plane was climbing the girl from the window seat starts trying to climb over my lap and the flight attendants said she has to sit down. She starts throwing up and then passes out. I ask her friend whats going on and she says her friend doesn't like flying and just took a sleeping pill. The flight attendants then gave her friend a ginger ale. We hit some bumps and the ginger ale went all over me.
Sounds awful but the flight was 30 minutes early so that made up for that crazy experience.

If you follow airlines that much: Frontier was recently bought out by a former spirit executive and he is turning frontier into the new cheap airline. But they are getting very aggressive I would say even more aggressive then spirit. When you get to the gate all bags have to be measured. If your bag fails is $50 or $100.

[tennisaddict]

I took Frontier from Mpls to LAS with a stop in Den back in April... never again!

Thanks for the info. Usually I do Vegas with just a standard carry-on anyway. What do you mean you save $17 each way by buying at the airport? Your actual ticket?

[hard2hold]

I live in the DFW area & have had no issues flying with Spirit. I've heard horror stories but in the end, you're treated like cattle by all airlines except Virgin. If Virgin does a non stop from Dallas to LV, I'll quickly lose my affinity for Spirit. Why pay more if you don't have to?

[tennisaddict]

I live in the DFW area & have had no issues flying with Spirit. I've heard horror stories but in the end, you're treated like cattle by all airlines except Virgin. If Virgin does a non stop from Dallas to LV, I'll quickly lose my affinity for Spirit. Why pay more if you don't have to?

I ended up booking with Spirit.... guess we'll find out how my luck goes

[artedm]

should be fine
just watch the carry on size- if your flying between now and then have a walk by there ticket counter to get an idea
and Yes whatever fare you see advertised online will be $17 each way cheaper if bought from the ticket counter at the airport.
Meaning you have to go to the airport in advance walk to the counter, pay and they will give you a print out with confirmation number. save $34 each round trip but have to go to airport.

[dnix]

I prefer United, but Ive flown Spirit twice. Definitely not as comfortable, but their website is very upfront about the differences with their airline. Only reason for complaining is over delayed or canceled flights. Everything else isnt the airlines fault, people just didnt do their research.

[tennisaddict]

I prefer United, but Ive flown Spirit twice. Definitely not as comfortable, but their website is very upfront about the differences with their airline. Only reason for complaining is over delayed or canceled flights. Everything else isnt the airlines fault, people just didnt do their research.

How often are the flights canceled? That is the only thing that worries me. Delays I can handle... cancellation would screw me up big time. I thought they were making a push to get better but maybe not.

[DanielC]

I flew spirit once from Chicago to vegas. Never again will I do that. First off you don't save that much money if you factor in the $25 carry on fee each way, $50 total. Second, I'm not that tall or big , im 5'10" 170lbs, and they are the most uncomfortable seats I've ever sat on. If you think United or American leg room is confined, spirit is way worse. My knees were literally hitting the seat in front of me in a normal sitting position. Thirdly, they are mostly all old planes with no radio or tv or anything to occupy your time during the flight.

[ryan850]

you get what you pay for. I've flown spirit before and it worked out fine. That was just a quick trip from cali to vegas. Although I did have a problem getting my boarding pass because I showed up 30 min before takeoff and they said they couldn't print my pass because of their 1 hr before take off policy. needless to say, after arguing for 15 minutes and asking to talk to a manager they were able to print my pass.