Is Spirit Airlines safe to fly??? You might be asking yourself this question. I know I sure was! I wasn’t necessarily scared of a mechanical problem on the plane, but I’ve heard horror stories of canceled flights and incidents on the plane. Why would I book a flight with the high chance it wasn’t going to make it out of the gate?
I’m typically an American Airlines customer. I like racking up my frequent flyer miles and have had nothing but good experiences flying with AA. But when I was faced with paying over $350 for the cheapest American flight from DFW to Orlando, versus $89 for a roundtrip flight on Spirit, the choice was a no-brainer for me. Money leftover for all the travel items I just “have” to buy before every trip? Extra fruity beverages by the pool sans kids? Yes, please!
So fast forward to after the trip, I’m going to let you know if buying the Spirit ticket was a good or bad choice on my part. I’ll be sharing my experience as a first-time Spirit Airlines flyer, plus going into some background and details about the airline and its planes, so keep reading if you’re on the fence like I was!
Big Reputation
“Big reputation, big reputation
Ooh you and me we got big reputations, ahh
And you heard about me, ooh
I got some big enemies.”
Words to a T Swift song or the Spirit Airlines theme song??? If you read the reviews online, you might lean towards the latter.
Consumer Reports rated Spirit Airlines as the worst based on readers’ scores. If you read Spirit Airlines reviews on Yelp, AirlineQuality, TripAdvisor, or other travel sites, you’ll see similar sentiments. From “worst airline ever” to “disappointed beyond measure” to “never ever fly Spirit again,” there’s no shortage of negative reviews and raging customers. You often hear stories of canceled flights, stranded passengers, ridiculous fees, etc.
With a reputation like this, why would you want to risk it with what some deem a “sketchy airline”?
I can think of one major reason: PRICE.
Spirit is an ultra-low-cost carrier, which means cheap flights and basic services. You can save some major moolah on a Spirit airlines flight compared to many other airlines. People fly Spirit Airlines for this reason. If you’re on a budget and Spirit is the only airline that fits the bill, what are you going to do?
Take the chance and fly Spirit.
This is exactly what I chose to do. I loved the idea of saving over $200 by taking Spirit roundtrip to Orlando. If you know ahead of time what fees you might encounter, you can completely price out the ticket before clicking “Purchase.”
My First Spirit Airlines Flight Experience
Ticket Price
My Spirit Airlines booking experience was typical of other airlines. I decided to go directly through Spirit instead of using a third-party site. I downloaded the app and was able to easily search through available legs to find the time and price that I wanted. And what I found seemed almost too good to be true!
Yes, I paid less than $90 for a ROUNDTRIP ticket from DFW to Orlando in 2023!! And I didn’t have to fly at god-awful hours of the morning. In fact, I was able to take my kids to school, come back and finish packing and not run around like a crazy person trying to get to the airport on time.
My flight to Orlando was a direct flight, while my return flight had one stop. But it was only a quick detour to Atlanta with a very reasonable layover.
I knew going into this that if I was going to bring a carry-on bag or checked bag I’d be paying over $100 more. But I was just bringing a duffle bag so that $89 was my real flight price.
(You probably think I’m an incredible packer who can fit 5 days of clothes in a 18x14x8 inch bag. In reality, I sent my bulging carry-on with my hubby on his American Airlines flight four days before I left, so I could get it there for FREE. Lucky, I know.)
Overall, I was INCREDIBLY pleased with the booking process, ticket prices, and flight options.
Check-in
The night before I completed my check-in on the app. This was easy peasy; however, I was not given a seat assignment, and it instructed me to see an agent for a seat.
So, when I arrived at the airport, I headed to the ticketing agent to ask about this. While I’ve heard reviews of poor customer service with Spirit, that was not my experience. An agent in training and his two supervisors were incredibly kind and helpful. I was going to take whatever seat they gave me because of, you know, FEES. But the supervisors told their trainee to find me the best seat he could (for free.) So I was seated in aisle 5 by the window. Score!
They printed my boarding pass for free, and I was on my way to security.
Note: I’ve always heard that Spirit charges $10 to print a boarding pass. I assume they waived this because I needed a seat assignment. I didn’t think to ask, but I’d suggest making sure they aren’t going to charge you before asking them for assistance. I think I was lucky this time.
Gate
If you’re looking for comfort, then look elsewhere. The seats at the Spirit gate are hard, plastic back pain inducers. I suggest you find some cushier ones elsewhere and come back to the gate shortly before boarding.
There were also hardly any power outlets to use at the Spirit gates, compared to the American Airlines gates where I normally wait.
When flying out of Orlando, there were no agents at the gate until right before boarding. The pilot couldn’t even get on the plane. He was repeatedly banging on the door trying to get someone to come and open it. He finally left and found an airport employee who would come unlock the door for him.
Flying with a pissed-off pilot really isn’t my cup of tea. Spirit could definitely use more staff at the gates.
Flight Delays…and more delays
Is there such a thing as a Spirit flight that runs on time??? I’m pretty sure those are the unicorns of the airline world.
The day I left was forecasted as severe weather. I’m in Texas, so that means twisters, hail and God knows what else. The weather was forecasted to move in the early afternoon. So after the third delay, I was starting to sweat. I really didn’t think I’d make it out of the airport that day. But by some miracle, we finally got on the plane two hours later than scheduled.
My other flights also were delayed by about an hour due to the incoming flights being delayed. On my last leg home, we were not alerted of any delays and were waiting at the gate for 45 minutes past our boarding time before being informed of a delay. Sheesh.
I understand they could have been much worse. While an inconvenience and annoying, they didn’t keep me from getting where I needed to be. I’m grateful they didn’t get canceled, which I honestly expected during the first leg of my travel.
So, I’d say to have very low expectations of your flight time going in. If you expect delays to happen, you won’t be as frustrated at the airport.
And definitely consider delays if you’re booking a flight with a layover. If you can find legs with at least two hours in between, you’ll feel much better about making your connecting flight.
Boarding process
From my limited experience, it seems the boarding process is different based on airports or flight crews.
DFW to MCO
The boarding process in DFW began with passengers needing assistance such as wheelchair-bound or special needs, families with children under two years old, and military personnel. (Yay for letting the babies on first!)
It then moved on to zones 1, 2, 3, and 4, as you’d expect.
MCO to ATL
The boarding in Orlando was not so smooth. They began boarding the same as DFW, then moved to zone 1. But then called for all other zones simultaneously.
Once boarding started, there was only one gate agent who was busy assisting a customer. So we all scanned our own boarding passes while the agent attempted to pay attention while helping someone else. It was a bit chaotic.
ATL to DFW
Boarding in Atlanta was a little better than in Orlando. There were at least two agents to scan boarding passes; however, they called zones 2,3, and 4 simultaneously, making it an obnoxiously long line to board with irritated zone 2 passengers who just wanted to board after Zone 1. Can you blame them??
So, overall, the boarding process is subpar and could definitely use some improvements, like having adequate staff at gates and actually using the assigned zones for boarding.
Flight
Based on my experience, I would give the flights a B- rating based on a few factors:
Seats
They are hard. Like really. By the end of the second hour on the flight, the seats were feeling like boards. But good news! Spirit will be rolling out seats with more cushioning, headrests, and wider seats in new planes being released this year.
Legroom
It felt like standard economy as far as legroom goes. Since I was avoiding fees and didn’t want to pay for carry-on bags, I brought the largest duffle bag I could and put it under the seat in front of me. This impacted my legroom quite a bit, unfortunately. But it was worth it for the money savings!
Tray Tables
I guess you can call them that. On two of the flights, they were small and flimsy but enough to hold a beverage and a snack. I didn’t test it with my laptop. The newer planes have larger, sturdier tray tables.
Seat Back Pockets
I like to stick my water bottle in a seat back pocket on a flight. Unfortunately, these don’t exist on Spirit. Two of the flights had a weird cable system that is non-existent on some seats and completely stretched out on others. This made for a messy look on the plane, with menus and plane info pamphlets falling out. And nowhere to store a water bottle or book. Some of the newer planes have addressed this, and have attached a place to store the informational pamphlets behind the headrest (pictured in the photo above).
Outlets
You better make sure your electronic devices are charged before getting on the plane because there are no outlets to be found. At all.
Onboard Wifi
I decided to pay for inflight wifi on my flight to Orlando. With the crazy weather at home and my husband and I both out of town, I wanted to stay in contact with my mom and the kids in case school dismissed early or there was an emergency.
The wifi worked well for the first hour and then just stopped working for the remainder of the flight. This was super frustrating. Thankfully all was well at home, but it was definitely irritating. I skipped the wifi on my return flights back home.
Inflight Entertainment
As a regular American Airlines passenger, I’m used to connecting to their inflight entertainment for free. If you want to stream anything on a Spirit flight, be prepared to pay a minimum of $5.99 per leg for the shortest flights. Got 4 kids with you? Expect to pay that price per device. So definitely download your entertainment beforehand. On your fully charged devices.
Food and Beverage
I brought my own water and snacks on board, so I didn’t sample any of what Spirit offered. Just know that none of it is free. If you want a cup of water, you’ll have to pay $4 for bottled water or $3 for a soda. The prices really are what you’d expect to pay at the airport, so I might order something next time.
Cleanliness
This was definitely lacking. Since the planes were all delayed in arriving, it apparently didn’t leave much time for cleaning. The passenger next to me had a used face mask in her seat (gross!), and there was what appeared to be blood on the seat back in front of me. Spirit claims that they fog the planes with a disinfectant, but I still recommend that you bring some disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer with you. Unless you like living on the edge.
Weird Vapor
So the morning I flew out, a story made the news of a Spirit flight to Orlando that had to make an emergency landing due to a fire in the overhead bin. So you won’t be surprised that some passengers were a little concerned when what initially could have been mistaken for smoke started pouring out of the vents.
t was only vapor from condensation, which happens at times due to temperature and humidity. My science peeps will understand.
But still. Not a confidence booster at the time. Sheesh.
Cabin Crew
I have to say, the Spirit flight crews were wonderful on all three flights! They were attentive, helpful, and personable. And thankfully, all the passengers were on their best behavior.
On my final flight back to DFW, one of the flight attendants ended the flight with a plane-wide trivia game. That was a first!
Understanding Spirit Fees
Before you bite the bullet and purchase your ticket, make sure you really understand the pricing. While Spirit flights always look much lower, if you’re needing to purchase a lot of extras like seat assignments to keep your family together, carry-on and checked bags, wifi for the flight, you might end up paying just as much as you would have for a flight on a nicer airline.
Familiarize yourself with the potential cost of EVERYTHING before purchasing.
Common fees charged by Spirit Airlines include:
Baggage fees: Spirit charges for both checked and carry-on baggage. The fees are based on the size and weight of the bags, as well as the route and the time of booking. You are allowed one personal bag no larger than 18″ x 14″ x 8.” Note: If you are going to pay for baggage do it ahead of time! It’s more expensive at the airport.
Seat selection fees: Spirit charges extra for seat selection, with the price varying based on the location of the seat and the time of booking. If you need to sit with your kids on a flight, you’re going to have to pay up and choose a seat. Some seat selections are no more than $6, so while not expensive, it can add up if you have a large family.
Boarding pass printing fee: I’ve read that Spirit charges a fee for printing boarding passes at the airport. I did not encounter this when I went. My digital boarding pass said to see the gate agent for seat assignment, and I was not charged for them to print mine. But I’d definitely check in on the app or print at the kiosk to be safe.
Food and beverage fees: There’s no such thing as free drinks on Spirit. It charges for all food and beverages on board, including water. I chose to bring my own water and snacks on board.
Booking and modification fees: Spirit charges a fee for booking a ticket over the phone or at the airport, as well as for making changes to a reservation.
Streaming fees: There are free movies on Spirit. If you want to stream a show during the flight, be prepared to pay. Prices start at $5.99 for each leg but increase depending on the length of the flight. Also, note that it only works on one of your devices.
How is Spirit Airlines is able to offer cheap travel fares?
Spirit Airlines is able to offer cheap travel fares through a combination of several strategies:
No-frills: You don’t fly Spirit Airlines for a luxurious experience. Spirit operates as a low-cost carrier and offers no-frills on their flights. You pay for basic transportation service and anything extra, including bags, drinks, wifi, etc. is an extra fee.
Efficient operations: Sprit operates a single type of aircraft (Airbus A320) and keeps their planes in the air for as many hours as possible each day. Also, they use tech to automate processes, requiring fewer employees and cutting costs.
Revenue diversification: Spirit Airlines not only makes money on tickets, but they charge fees for checked baggage, carry-on baggage, seat selection, streaming, beverages, etc. They also earn revenue through partnerships with hotels, car rental companies, and other travel-related businesses.
Lower overhead costs: Spirit Airlines keeps its overhead costs down compared to since they don’t have to maintain a large fleet of aircraft, operate in expensive airports or offer luxury amenities to passengers.
Targeted marketing: Spirit Airlines knows its customer base. They target budget travelers who are looking for low fares over added amenities.
Am I Safe on a Spirit Plane?
Yes, Spirit Airlines planes are safe. In fact, it has an incredible safety record and has never had a fatal crash. Ever.
Safety Standards
Like all airlines operating in the United States, Spirit Airlines has to meet rigorous safety standards set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). They conduct regular inspections of aircraft, equipment, and maintenance procedures to make sure that all airlines, including Spirit Airlines, are in compliance with all.
It’s also a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a group that promotes aviation safety and security.
Spirit’s fleet of Airbus A320 and A320neo aircraft are equipped with advanced safety features and undergo regular maintenance checks, making sure that they are in tip-top shape and safe to fly.
Of course, like any airline, Spirit Airlines isn’t immune to accidents. But know that Spirit hires extremely well-trained and experienced pilots, flight attendants, and maintenance personnel who are completely committed to safety. They don’t want any accidents any more than you do!
Spirit Airlines Fleet
Spirit Airlines operates a fleet of Airbus A320 and A320neo aircraft. Spirit’s A320neo aircraft can hold up to 182 passengers, while the A320ceo aircraft can hold up to 145 passengers.
The Airbus A320 is a narrow-body, twin-engine commercial passenger aircraft. The A320 is the standard version of the A320 family and is the most widely used model. It was introduced in 1988 and is designed to accommodate between 150 and 180 passengers, depending on the cabin configuration chosen by the airline. These planes are 37.57 meters (123 feet 3 inches) in length and have a wingspan of 34.10 meters (111 feet 10 inches).
The A320 is equipped with two CFM International CFM56-5 or International Aero Engines (IAE) V2500 turbofan engines. The aircraft has a maximum cruising speed of about 828 km/h (511 mph) and can travel up to 6,480 km (4,029 miles) on one tank of fuel, making it a great option for short- to medium-haul routes.
The A320 also features a range of advanced technologies, such as fly-by-wire controls, digital avionics, and enhanced safety systems, making it a popular choice among airlines.
Spirit’s other aircraft, the A320neo is very similar but with some definite improvements. It has newer, more efficient engines, meaning significant fuel savings along with reduced emissions. The A320neo also has some aerodynamic improvements, a more spacious cabin, larger overhead bins, improved lighting, and a new air filtration system. Yay for cleaner air!
Wrapping-Up: The Verdict
The big questions:
Was it worth taking the cheap flights?
Definitely, in my case. I wasn’t on a tight schedule, so it worked out for me!
Is it risky to fly with Spirit?
Yes, it is a risk, but not a safety risk. If you’re on a tight schedule, it’s very possible you’ll be late. Take that into consideration when purchasing your tickets.
Is Spirit Airlines safe?
Yes. Spirit has never had a fatal crash. It is FAA-certified and like other major airlines operating out of the US, it meets rigorous safety standards to ensure passenger safety. You can rest assured they are doing their best to keep their passengers and flight crew safe!
Would I take the chance and fly Spirit airlines again?
Absolutely.
If I can save $100 or more on a ticket, it would be worth it for me to fly with Spirit again. If you know what you’re getting into with this budget airline ahead of time, you won’t be as frustrated or disappointed when things get hairy. For short domestic flights where I don’t need a lot of luggage, Spirit will definitely be one of my options if the price is right.
If you need to fly on a budget or want to pocket the cash you would have spent on a more expensive ticket, I think you should take a chance on Spirit, too.
Let us know your experience with Spirit airlines or any questions you have about my experience flying with Spirit!
