Spirit Airlines

Flight 866 from Los Angeles to Dallas Forth Worth was supposed to depart at 10.19, it was delayed until 12.39. We were not informed of our delay. I checked with Spirit about an hour after our supposed departure and agent informed us of the delay. Asked why this was not announced, he said that it would be done after the previous flight departs. I was told the reason for the delay was crew shortage, this is unbelievable that such a huge airline does not have accommodation for crew shortage.

✅ Verified Review | I had booked from DFW to Tampa Florida. Arrived 2 hours early at DFW airport, they said there was going to be a delay of an hour. After that it was delayed an hour when they said it was cancelled. They sent us to a different gate to rebook to Orlando FL. So after an hour waiting we boarded the plane. After sitting onboard for about 30 minutes they said we had to get off the plane because the engine wasn't working. So we walked to a different gate to get on board a different plane. We waited for them to get the plane ready for about an hour and then they told us the flight was cancelled. So they gave us a phone number to call to rebook it for another day. I was there from 6am-1pm.

✅ Verified Review | Flew from Ft Lauderdale to St Thomas. Our family of 4 arrived at the airport 1.5 hours ahead of our scheduled departure time as recommended. Spirit's counter was friendly but understaffed which resulted in time lost. Now running late our family proceeded to the gate once we each got through security in hopes of getting seats together on the plane. Two of our family members arrived at the gate five minutes behind the first two. The terminal attendant had just closed the door to the jet-walk after only 2 of our 4 had board. Another 8 passengers were also at the gate after the jet-walk door had closed. The plane was still connected to the jet-walk and was still 5 minutes before the scheduled departure time but the door to the jet-walk was closed. No one from Spirit Airlines, either on the plane or in the terminal would allow the 10 passengers onto the plane even though it was minutes before the scheduled departure. The plane was not full. To add further insult to this situation the plane arrived at its destination 30 minutes early and had to wait on the tarmac because it was early.

✅ Verified Review | Spirit Airlines is only good for weekend trips and flight duration no longer than 90 min. The seats are very cramped, I am a short person (5'3") and I found them very claustrophobic and uncomfortable. And once in flight, you are not even given a glass of water, no matter have sick you are. But my worst experience was on my flight home, my route was Managua-Ft. Lauderdale-Houston-San Diego, basically a full day to get home, my flight MGA-FLL was at 1am, so we got at the airport early to check in, and just like the first flight, our flights were not linked, so we had to get them linked at the counter so we wouldn't have to pick up our bags and check in at every stop. This flight left on time to FLL, where we had a 12-13 hr layover, trust me this airport is not meant for those layovers, finally our 6.40pm flight arrives and it gets a total of 3 hrs delay because they couldn't find a pilot. I had read these stories but didn't believe them completely, but yes, they didn't have a pilot, finally got one that was coming, I think from St. Thomas and we were off to Houston. Luckily our layover was just an hour and it was on the same aircraft, but once we landed at IAH, we were informed that the flight to SAN was cancelled. So we had to deplane at almost midnight to go to the Spirit counter and see what would happen, that was a 4 hour wait to get anything done. By then we got another flight with a more reputable airline, and I got home at 8pm. This company is horrible all the way, I didn't book this flight, because I knew the horrible reputation it has, but definitely I will try to avoid it like the black plague. The person who booked this flight was trying to save money, ended up spending more money even before the cost of the other airline. Cheap things usually end up costing more in the long run.

This flight from Cancun to New Orleans via Houston with Spirit Airlines was booked by our travel agent. I knew nothing of Spirit Airlines. I did look up the size limit on bags and did notice they did not offer a free carry on. No big deal we were each only bringing a checked bag anyway. We received an email stating to get there early as there were delays with TSA. We also saw that we would be charged extra if we did not check in online and print our own boarding passes. We were at a hotel so could not print the passes. It also said to save on luggage to pay online but it would not let us do that either. Once we got there, there actually was no delay so we had time to shop. Then we went to the gate when it was time to board and there was a different airline there. It turns out there was a gate change and they didn't say anything until boarding began. Our first leg of the flight was on time. We were charged $55 for each small (under 50 lb) checked bag. Good luck knowing how much in advance. The seats are very small and not very padded. They do not recline. The arm rests also do not fully go back so if you are traveling as a couple, good luck sitting close. The flight was not full, not sure if it was because people were waiting at the wrong gate or if it was book that way. Of course, since we could not do online check in, we were not even given a chance to choose our seats (which is an extra fee). Even with a half empty airplane, they put us sitting separate. Luckily, he was sitting in a row by himself, so I moved when they closed the door. We had no clue that they did not provide drinks so were shocked that we were charged for them. You also don't even get a bag of pretzels. They claim this is to save money but really, a can of soda is about 10 cents when bought in bulk and a bag of pretzels is about the same. Not sure how they equates to cheaper tickets. $5 for 2 cans of soda. Not horrific but not great. I had snacks for us so we didn't have to buy. On arrival in Houston, we were stuck on the runway for an hour as they did not have an international gate available. Not Spirits fault but they could have at least given complimentary drinks and/or snacks during that time. Nope, they only offered to sell you more. Issue is that this was a connection for us. There was a 1 hour and 46 minute layover. We were delayed an hour and still had to get through customs, pick up our bags, check them back in and find our gate. We were not even through customs when our boarding time arrived. We were panicked and rushed. When we finally got our bags to the check in, we were told "don't sweat it. The plane you were on is the one going to New Orleans so it is delayed as well." They did not give us a time so we were still rushed. Got to the gate and the crew had not even boarded. They told us we had 10 minutes. We rushed to use the restroom and get dinner to take on board. They did not begin boarding until 30 minutes later. The only thing great about the flight home from there was the other passengers. There was a group heading on to a cruise and they were a blast. Not too loud as I still was able to sleep but just being cheerful in spite of the delay and the shock they endured when they realized they had to pay for drinks.

Spirit must be the worst airline. My daughter was trying to travel from Denver to Dallas. She drove 45 minutes to the airport. When she got there, she was informed her flight was cancelled due to weather. That happens. But, I have two issues. First, the only option I was given was a refund. That does not help if you have to get somewhere. Perhaps more interesting is the fact that I was told by Spirit that the cancellation was due to weather. Yet the American flight leaving at the same time was leaving on-time. Now you may think that this is explainable because the weather delay could have been elsewhere. That is indeed possible. Except the plane was sitting at the gate. I feel I was lied to so they could claim weather rather than the real reason. Bottom line Spirit left my daughter stranded.

My Spirit Airlines flight from Houston to Las Vegas has been cancelled twice due to insufficient crew. The next flights available were days or even a week apart which doesn't work considering we have hotels and events already booked. I don't expect food, entertainment, or really much since the tickets are so cheap. However I do expect to at least get to my destination that I paid for. This airline could not care less if they cancel flights and ruin numerous families vacations and plans.

✅ Verified Review | I have been a Spirit $9 fare member for several years and have had no problems, I fly from LAX to DTW a couple times a year to see family. Yes a couple of times they weren't on time but never over a half hour late. I flew this past Saturday June 25. the 8.15pm flight, it was a new plane, very nice and yes you should know that Spirit seats do not recline but for 4-4.5 hr flights that is no problem. I always check my bags for $21 and my carry on is free that I put under the seat and I carry my purse. The flight attendants kept checking on people and they asked me twice if I wanted more ice for my drink.

✅ Verified Review | Flew from San Diego to Denver. The one upside of my trip with Spirit (and I mean the only one) came in the form of a no-charge in-airplane upgrade from a middle seat to an exit row seat. I'm a big guy (6'4, 215 ) and I think the flight attendant took pity on my cramped conditions. Booking: The process was easy enough, until I had to work through the myriad of upsell pages Spirit.com shoved on me. I liked the transparent, almost flippant approach to how they broke out the total ticket price (ie. "Government's Cut," "Security Fee," etc...) but really disliked having to click through multiple "Buy Add-on's Here!" pages just to buy my ticket. Online Check-In: Terrible. The system continued giving me error messages and wouldn't let me sign in with my account, which I created a week prior, I finally gave up and signed up for a new account with a new email address. Once I finally got in, I had to go through several more up-sell pages trying to encourage me to pay for additional add-ons. In Airport-Boarding: Boarding was straight-forward, but frustrating as the boarding agents continued allowing individuals to board ahead of their assigned boarding group. I was in Group 2, and boarded behind several individuals in groups 3 and 4 who didn't want to wait until their group was called. The boarding agents let them through ahead of their boarding group with no hassle. On-Plane: The plane was about 90% full, and a flight attendant upgraded me at no charge to an Exit Row seat. This was the only bright spot in a very frustrating Spirit Airlines experience. The seats themselves were your normal airplane seats, but these appeared to have very little cushioning and started to become quite uncomfortable about 20 minutes into the flight. About 1 1/2 hours into the flight, I asked the flight attendant for a glass of tap water, and was told they only had bottled water for $3 each. Deplaning: Nothing special about the deplaning experience. Just like every other airline here. Overall: Spirit Airlines bills themselves as an "Ultra-Low Cost" carrier, but unless you are flying with nothing but the clothes on your back, you will quickly find the low cost does not exist. Expect to pay a pretty penny for creature comforts like water, carry-on bags, and checked luggage. By spending a little more, you can fly with a respectable carrier who treats you like a valued customer.

✅ Verified Review | I drove 3 hours to Atlanta airport and arrived at 3am, I wanted to check in earlier because I knew that Atlanta airport gets really busy. My flight was supposed to leave at 10.41am which was perfect enough time for me to get back to Minneapolis to work. Unfortunately it is currently 1.14am and the airplane has finally arrived. But guess what, it landed on the opposite side of the gate that it should've landed on. After standing in line for 10 mins we found out that the plane is delayed again. Now my flight is not departing until 3pm. That is 12 hours I have been at this airport. Very inconvenient. We all have a life to attend to and sitting around waiting for a plane is not part of it. Never again will I fly with Spirit Airlines. It is not worth my time or money.