I’ve mentioned multiple times before how I’m ballin’ on a budget pretty much every time I travel, which is why I usually drive to where I need to go instead of flying, but if I AM in the sky, it’s with a budget airline like Spirit.
Listen, I don’t need all the fancy extras like free bags, snacks, and entertainment when my flights are all super quick. I pack everything I need into a backpack, bring my own snacks, and make sure I’ve got a good book with me, and I’m good to go! However, if you’re like me and this is your preferred way to travel, I’ve got bad news — that all could be changing VERY soon.
Recently, Spirit Airlines announced that their policies are CHANGING, and it’s changing basically who they are as an airline (I KNOW, it’s news to me too). As they currently stand, Spirit Airlines is known for being a budget airline that’s perfect for those traveling on the cheap.
However, all of that is changing their policies in a way that will hopefully move them into the upscale travel market (🤨). The new plans will focus on adding features to their accommodations in the hopes of returning the airline to profitable status such as free bags, free wifi, and free snacks INCLUDED in their ticket prices.
Sounds great, right? Yeah, not really, if you’re looking at it the same way I am. This means that their ticket prices will rise to accommodate for these “free” additions. BUT, don’t worry too much friends, there is still hope for us. The “bare bones” fares (the ones that don’t include these extras) will also still be available, so these prices will hopefully be closer to the low prices we see now.
To be specific, there will be four new tiers to tickets. They look like:
- “Go Big” Tickets: An option focused on the airline’s series of roomier seats situated at the front of its Airbus jetliners (so kinda like First Class-ish). While the paid upgrade used to JUST be for the seat, it will now include free Wi-Fi, a checked bag, one piece of onboard luggage, and “unlimited” snacks and drinks, including those with alcohol.
- “Go Comfy” Tickets: Standard seating with a vacant middle seat next to it (in hopes to provide passengers with extra space). Will also offer earlier boarding, a snack, a nonalcoholic beverage, a checked baggage, and a carry-on.
- “Go Savvy” Tickets: Allow passengers the option of either a checked bag or a carry-on.
- “Go”: The most notable bottom-tier ticket. While you’re pretty much just paying for a seat on the plane and a free personal item, passengers can pay additional fees for checked bags, seat selection, Wi-Fi, and snacks (not included in the ticket’s price).
All passengers will also be allowed free booking changes no matter what tier they’re in and will continue to allow cancelations and flight changes at no charge. The airline also plans to increase the weight limit for checked bags to 50 pounds (previously 40 pounds) and will also extend the expiration time period for future travel vouchers to a full year.
So basically…this is way better than what I was afraid it would be. Bookings for these new tiers started on August 16th for flights August 27th and beyond! I’ve got a few trips planned soon and some I may choose to fly for, so if I choose to fly Spirit (extremely likely), I’ll be sure to let you know about my experience! Be sure to stay tuned to AllEars for all the latest Disney, and travel to Disney parks, news!
Spirit isn’t the only airline changing the way they do things — Southwest is shaking things up too!
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What do you think of these changes? Tell me in the comments below!
It’s a good plan as it serves to quell a majority of the basic complaints. And that option, Go Big, that’s a 100 % win!
I have flown Spirit at least monthly for the last 2 full years. They are an absolute awesome low cost carrier. To me on time and ticket prices are most important they are extremely good on both. We are lucky to have spirit let’s hope they stick around.
This seems like a poor business strategy. Spirit is known has a cheap, no-frills option, and often times a little dirty and unreliable. Those who want the luxuries already fly other airlines, and they aren’t about to go to Spirit after they make their changes because of the company’s previous reputation. I would not be surprised to see Spirit go bankrupt or be acquired by another airline.