Is Spirit Air a disaster?

[flip-flop]

I am looking at flights for December and Spirit is coming in cheaper (and has better flight times) than AA or Delta (my usual airlines of choice).

I sort of recall hearing horror stories about Spirit. Anyone have any experience? Please advise.

Thanks!

[loria]

I took them down in Decmber 09 and had NO problems--they nickel and dime you to death--but i didn't have any issues with the actual flight.

[mbw1024]

I have taken them several times (not to STT). Never any real problems but a delay here or there.
However, just take in to account in your pricing that you need to pay for seat assignments, checked bags and carry on bags. If it goes in the over head you have to pay for it! All you can carry on free is your personal item.
Just make sure that's the cheaper way to go in the long run!

[Xislandgirl]

My co-worker calls them Break your Spirit airlines.

She flew them (not to STT) for a family reunion. They not only cancelled her flight and but them on another flight 4 days later, it was only a 5 day trip so leaving here there for 1 day, but never told her. She ended up having to get a last minute, crazy expensive flight.

[flip-flop]

American it is. Plus I love flying through MIA. Really is perfect for breaking up the trip down.

[mbw1024]

American it is. Plus I love flying through MIA. Really is perfect for breaking up the trip down.

did you pick a villa? Is this the trip that you were looking at Gifft Hill?

[Backtotheislands]

I hope Spirit isn't as bad as I've heard!! I had already booked my flight when I read all the negatives. Their flight cost was over $250 pp cheaper. Even with baggage costs, it was a deal and the only reason my hubby said, "let's go!" I was looking at Costa Rica for this summer. As long as we get there on the day we're supposed to. I'm sure my 6'3" husband will be uncomfortable. We aren't paying for seat assignments - I'll take a book! I also booked my son's honeymoon flight in Oct. on them, since it was such a deal. If there are problems, I hope they happen to us and not them!

[flip-flop]

For $250 per ticket I'd consider it. For this trip the savings was only about $4 but the flight times were a bit better. I don't think its worth it in that case.

[Teresa_Rae]

We flew Spirit once and only once.

By the time they nickel and dimed us to death with charges for things like getting to sit next to each other on the plane, the savings was almost nothing.

Plus both layovers in FLL were disastrous. Way too many people crammed in like sardines in the international terminal.

[Lovermont]

Flip,

Just posting a reply because I want to compare tickers. I hope our paths cross in December!

Lovermont

[Exit Zero]

I had been using Spirit STT - FLL - ACY round trip quite a bit for a few years - usually upgrading to the 'big front seat' option and still found it to be cheaper than alternative options ------------ they changed bit by bit with all xtra charges - the schedule - and priced the big seats separate -- with all the changes -- finally I just switched to USAIR or AA and found the prices and routes to be more than comparable in every case.

[jmq]

My co-worker calls them Break your Spirit airlines.

She flew them (not to STT) for a family reunion. They not only cancelled her flight and but them on another flight 4 days later, it was only a 5 day trip so leaving here there for 1 day, but never told her. She ended up having to get a last minute, crazy expensive flight.

With smaller airlines, when equipment breaks, there may be no such thing as bringing in replacement equipment, or, catching a later flight, because there is none.

[kristen1206]

I have flown with Spirit twice and had great experiences both times. And the planes were much nicer/newer that the crappy ones we always get stuck on with USAirways. I wouldn't hesitate to fly with them again.

[JJShaw]

Our last few trips we have flown Spirit...and honestly I can say they havent changed any of our flights and we havent been delayed except going into Niagara falls in May,we were delayed 2 hrs. Maybe we have just been lucky... sometimes we pay for seats...most of the time we dont and have never had a problem, infact on out trip last month to STT we had better seats than what I had originally asked for. There is not one airline that is fool proof as far as cancelling or having delays..I have been very happy with them...and will use them again...I think they get a bad rap because they charge for bags...but arent most airlines doing this now? At least they are upfront about it...As far as drinks...I can bring my own...we usually get one after security if we feel like we might want one..Im sorry but if I can save a cpl hundred bucks a ticket to fly with them...so what if I "want" to check a bag...even at 56.00 eash...round trip...its still cheaper..Infact..I dont think they are any better...or any worse than any other airline...IMO... just cheaper tickets...

[Xislandgirl]

My co-worker calls them Break your Spirit airlines.

She flew them (not to STT) for a family reunion. They not only cancelled her flight and but them on another flight 4 days later, it was only a 5 day trip so leaving here there for 1 day, but never told her. She ended up having to get a last minute, crazy expensive flight.

With smaller airlines, when equipment breaks, there may be no such thing as bringing in replacement equipment, or, catching a later flight, because there is none.

Her flight was actually cancelled 3 weeks before her trip, she didn't find out untl checking her flights a few days before her departure.