Spirit Airlines Check-in
Online check-in is available at www.spirit.com. Self check-in kiosks are available at Atlanta, Atlantic City, Boston, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach, New York (LaGuardia) and Orlando airports.
Airport check-in desks open three hours before the flight is scheduled to depart.
Spirit Airlines baggage allowance
Hand luggage: there's no fee for a piece of luggage that will fit under a seat such as a small backpack or purse. Maximum dimensions are 40 x 35 x 30 cm (16 x 14 x 12in). If a bag does not fit under a seat, fees apply. Members of the $9 fare club pay $20 online, non-members pay $30. Waiting until you get to the airport costs $40 at the counter or $45 at the gate. Only one bag per purchased seat is allowed. Dimensions are 56 x 46 x 25 cm (22 x 18 x 10in).
Checked: a maximum of five checked bags is permitted. Each bag should not be heavier than 18kg (40lbs) or measure more than 158cm (62in) (length + width + height). Members of the $9 Fare Club, for domestic flights, pay $18 for the first bag online, $38 at the airport. For international flights the fee is $23 online or $43 at the airport.
Non-members pay $28 online for the first bag or $38 at the airport on domestic flights. On international flights the first-bag fee is $33 online or $43 at the airport.
Second bag fees: members of $9 Fare Club pay $25 online or $45 at the airport for domestic flights, $30 online or $50 at the airport for international flights. Non-members taking domestic flights pay $35 online, $45 at the airport. Non-members taking international flights pay $40 online or $50 at the airport.
For the third to the fifth bag, $9 Fare Club members pay $75 online or $95 at the airport for domestic flights. For international flights the fee is $80 online or $100 at the airport.Non-members pay $85 online or $95 at the airport to check bags for domestic flights. Taking international flights, the fee is $90 online or $100 at the airport.
Excess: Spirit levies fees for overweight and oversize items. Charges are staggered. A bag that weighs between 18 and 23kg (41-50lbs) is charged at $25, a piece of luggage weighing between 23 and 31kg (51-70lbs) is charged $50 and a bag that weighs between 71 and 44kg (71-99lbs) is charged $100. The airline notes that additional VAT may apply.
Oversized items are charged as follows: a piece of luggage measuring 158-201cm (62-79in) is charged $100. A bag measuring more than 203cm (80+in) is charged $150. Again, additional VAT may apply. Spirit will not carry any piece of luggage weighing more than 45kg (99lbs) or measuring more than 203cm (80in).
Spirit Airlines legroom
Seat pitch: depends on the aircraft 71cm (28in) on an A320, 78cm (31in) in an A321 or A319. Purchasing a Big Front Seat - costs from $25 - gives 91cm (36in) in a A319 or A321, 94cm (37in) in an A320.
Pre-arranged seating
Passengers may select seats when they book flights online. To ensure that all members of a family sit together, passengers may also purchase a seat assignment. Customers may select seat assignments 90 days and one hour of the flight. Big Front Seat and exit-row seat assignments are available for a fee.
Passenger change details
Spirit Airlines only issues Non-Refundable fares and reservations or credit vouchers cannot be transferred to another traveller. Changes to flights, dates or destinations should be made at least 24 hours in advance of travel. The charge for any modifications or cancellations made online is $115, via Reservations or at the airport, the fee is $125 and addtional taxes may apply. Plus, passengers must pay any difference in fares.
Child fares
There are no discounts for child travellers (ages 2-14) but infants (up to two years) may fly free of charge seated on an adult's lap.
Senior fares
Spirit Airlines does not offer discounts for senior travellers.
Pets
Small pets (dogs,cats and household birds) will be carried in the cabin for a fee of $100 per container per flight. The number of pets carried in subject to space availability - a maximum of four containers. Spirit Airlines does not transport pets in Cargo and it does not accept pets for travel in the cabin or in the cargo compartment on international flights, except in the case of service animals. No birds are carried to/from Puerto Rico and St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.
Carrying musical instruments
Musical instruments are permitted as carry-on baggage as long as they fit within Spirit Airlines carry-on dimensions of 56 cm x 46 cm x 25cm (22 x 18 x 10in) (length + width + height). A customer may purchase an additional seat for the transport of a musical instrument not suitable for acceptance as checked or carry-on baggage.
In-flight service
Spirit Skymart snacks and meals are available for purchase. Spirit Airlines operates a cashless cabin, payment is made by American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa credit card or a debit card carrying a MasterCard or Visa logo. Prices range from $2 for a cup of coffee or tea, $2 for a muffin or packet of Pringles to $8 for a Margarita.
Air miles
Free Spirit is the airline's frequent-flyer program. Award travel starts at 2,500 miles one-way.
Airline food link
See photographs of Spirit meals taken by fellow flyers and read reviews at AirlineMeals.net.
In-flight magazine
Spirit's in-flight magazine is called Skylights. It's published bi-monthly and is available on every flight. It can be read online at www.skylightsmagazine.com.
Airline alliances