Spirit Airlines Review: Why My Family Flew Despite the Bad Reputation – Honest Insights and Tips
When I announced that my family would fly Spirit Airlines for our vacation, the reactions were swift and skeptical: "Seriously?!" "Are you insane?" "Don't do it." "I'm so sorry." "Are you a masochist?"
This unanimous response was understandable. Spirit has a notorious reputation, fueled by stories of $100 carry-on fees, charges for water, and boycott campaigns. Many view it as an airline more interested in crushing passenger spirits than uplifting them.
So why consider Spirit for my family of four? Two words: Steve Bertogli.
Steve, a Travelzoo Deal Expert and Spirit specialist, shared key insights. Here's what he recommends knowing about flying Spirit: (My detailed review continues below.)
After consulting Steve, we booked. Here's our experience:
Read the rules meticulously
All fees and charges are clearly listed and disclosed during booking. Avoid surprises like $10 for printing a boarding pass or $100 for a gate-checked carry-on by reviewing everything upfront.
Expect fees for nearly everything
Indeed, charges apply to almost all extras:
- Carry-on bags: Personal items fitting under the seat (Steve's "Spirit bag") are free. Overhead bags cost more the closer to departure—up to $100 at the gate. Pre-pay during booking if needed.
- Checked bags: Surprisingly cheaper than carry-ons. We checked one larger bag for me and my two sons to save money and consolidate. Stay under weight limits.
- Seats: Seat selection costs extra. Steve's family skips it and sits together anyway—we did too, successfully, though it's a gamble.
- Boarding pass: Print at home. Airport kiosks charge $2; agents, $10 per pass.
- Drinks, including water: Nearly everything onboard costs money—even water. With young kids, we packed refillable bottles and juice boxes as backups.
Calculate total cost before booking
Don't focus solely on the base fare. Factor in all fees to confirm savings. We saved over $100 per ticket versus competitors, funding extras like poolside lunch and better wine.
Check-in
At Chicago's O'Hare on a Wednesday morning, the line was exceptionally long—over an hour. Arrive much earlier than for other airlines and pack extra snacks.
Delays
Outbound: 15 minutes. Return: about an hour. Spirit's smaller fleet can amplify issues across flights.
Planes: Cramped but manageable
Less legroom and non-reclining seats are noticeable, but with crying toddlers, it wasn't our biggest concern.
Note for parents: Spirit claims most seats fit car seats, but verify ahead. One family gate-checked theirs as it didn't fit with the child installed.
The Verdict
Would I fly Spirit again? Yes—for trips up to 3.5 hours (ideally 2 or less), if fees-inclusive pricing is significantly lower.
Chicago to Myrtle Beach roundtrip at $122 per person (including taxes and bags) was a win, per Steve's advice.
Reflecting on my 5-year-old's "best vacation ever," I remember beach "sand couches" and wave-crashing joy—not the flight.
