Carry-On Luggage Fees; Spirit Airlines

[HauntedGabe]

updated 2 hours 34 minutes ago


NEW YORK — Spirit Airlines' controversial carry-on fees took effect Sunday, catching some customers unhappily by surprise. But the low-fare carrier contends that the move will cut down on flight delays, potentially allowing Spirit to add new flights.

Spirit is charging $30 at check-in for any bag that's too big to fit under the seat. The price goes up to $45 for passengers who wait until they get to the boarding gate to pay, another step aimed at saving time. Members of Spirit's special fare club will only pay $20 for a carry-on. Umbrellas, camera bags, strollers and car seats are among the items that will remain free of charge.


Spirit spokeswoman Misty Pinson said the new approach already appears to be working. "The check-in process is going well so far," Pinson said Sunday afternoon. "It looks like this is going to speed things up."
Samantha Robles, 22, who was getting ready to check in for a flight at Fort Lauderdale International Airport, called the new charges "ridiculous." After finding out about the carry-on fees at the airport, she said she checked her suitcase because it was cheaper than paying for a carry-on. Robles said she would probably not fly Spirit again.
Spirit CEO Ben Baldanza admitted the company has received "an understandable number of complaints," mostly from people who don't realize that Spirit's ticket prices have been lowered. Spirit has cut fares overall, in some cases by more than enough to offset the cost of a carry-on bag.
"I think what we'll find is over the next weeks and months as this program evolves, and more and more people understand it, that people will see that the trade-off is a really good one," he said on Sunday. "Not everyone will think that, and those people may choose to fly someone else, but they'll likely pay more for their total travel than they will on Spirit."

Since airlines started charging for checked luggage, more flyers have brought carry-on bags on board. Spirit's new fee — the first in the industry — is aimed at discouraging passengers from stuffing the overhead bins because it often takes extra time to get bags settled and gate check those that won't fit onboard.

[Chrissy&Tayen]

are you kidding me... their charging me for my seat and my carry on.. carry on is a pain to began with because you have to make everything fit in a over night bag.. and then you have to pack it everywhere you go on your transfers or what not.. thats just adding a fee for the sake of addin a fee.. they would have to cut the cost of a plane ticket by that $30 to $45 for me to even consider ever flyin with them... thats insane!! i understand the luggage under the plane because they have to pay for people to move it and pack it from plane to plane.. this is just corp america tryin to make a buck anywhere they can.. this just gets my goat

[HauntedGabe]

The Government de-regulated the Airlines years ago. Now the Airlines are just begg'n for the Government to step in again.

[Carolla]

The only reason I can see that ANYONE would ever fly Spirit is because "it's all about the price" They have HORRID customer service (and that's based on the overall service in an industry not known for it ), they have lots of fees, thier employees don't like thier jobs and are actually not encouraged to provide service, their planes are incredibly uncomfortable (they are taking out the seat recline feature to allow MORE seats on the plane) and so on... . If you pay $9, $15, $27, for airfare WHAT DO YOU EXPECT? Do you really think they can fly you for that? NO! So they charge for EVERYTHING ELSE!

Based on the almost weekly rants on TripAdvisor.com I have decided that if you book with them it's based on your "price is the only factor" decision and.... there are times you get what you pay for.

As for regulation, folks are whining NOW that airfares are too high. If the goverment went back to the way it was before MOST of us would NOT be flying to Orlando!

[Chrissy&Tayen]

we have a company here like that.. its called Allegiant Air.. they have hidden fees for everything!!!! so you $20 ticket turns into more.. and your return ticket almost always falls on one of their $130 days.. they only fly on certain days.. and certain cities. one of the flights is called the oxycotin (SP) express.. because all the drugies fly down to FL to those pain clinics..they did a whole tv show about it.. greenup co ky is like the hot spot of america for those pain pills.. its so sad..

i refuse to fly with that company.. i got my round trip tickets from columbus to orlando for 170 a person flying on the days i want.. no hidden fees

[Disney05]

Just one of the many reasons why I fly Southwest.

[Chrissy&Tayen]

Just one of the many reasons why I fly Southwest.

thats what the hubby said.. fly southwest

[GoofyRulez]

I am flying Airtran and I have flown them all over the country for business. They are comfotable and courteous. They only charge $15 to check a suitcase and no charge for carry-ons. I will never fly anyone else again.

[Chrissy&Tayen]

were flying airtran this time.. i have never flew with them before.. its nice to here something good.. i thought i heard someone say something about getting seats as a group you have to do something more.. i didnt get to pick my seats.. i just thought bookin 2 seats they would be together.. heres to hopeing they are...lol

[Carolla]

were flying airtran this time.. i have never flew with them before.. its nice to here something good.. i thought i heard someone say something about getting seats as a group you have to do something more.. i didnt get to pick my seats.. i just thought bookin 2 seats they would be together.. heres to hopeing they are...lol

If you want to gurantee seats together you need to pay. Otherwise there is no gurantee.

I think that AirTran allows you go online and book what's left 24 hours in advance so if you don't pay, do that.

If you don't pay, do not assume that others will move for you. They may have paid and feel no obligation to assist you.

[GoofyRulez]

I reserved my seats head of time because we are traveling with 2 small children. If you don't care where you sit the let them choose the seats for you. It can cost $50 round trip to choose your seats ahead of time for 4 people.

[Chrissy&Tayen]

augh! i booked through them on hotwire so that was never a option.. i hope we get to sit together

[Carolla]

augh! i booked through them on hotwire so that was never a option.. i hope we get to sit together

I think it's still an option. Give them a call.

[Chrissy&Tayen]

i will have to check into that.. because i wanna sit near him.. the whole reason for the trip is to spend time together..lol

[GoofyRulez]

Go to the Airtrans website. You should have a 6 letter confirmation number. Look under reservations then find itinerary. Eneter the 6 letter confirmation code your name and the city you are flying out of and ...ta da...