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Spirit Airlines Is Slashing Flights Amid Bankruptcy - What to Know Before You Book

Spirit intends to further reduce its Airbus fleet as part of its strategy to emerge from bankruptcy.

By Lucy Clark
and Sara Albertelli

Edited by Ellen Cannon

Updated March 2, 2026

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Spirit Airlines, long known for its rock-bottom fares and no-frills flights, is once again fighting for its future. The ultra-low-cost carrier announced today that it has reached an agreement with creditors on a plan to exit its second bankruptcy in less than a year, outlining dramatic changes designed to steady its finances. If all goes as planned, Spirit expects to emerge from bankruptcy by late spring or early summer.

The comeback will come with visible changes for travelers. Spirit plans to further shrink its Airbus fleet, rely more heavily on older aircraft, and focus primarily on its busiest routes and peak travel seasons. The airline has already furloughed pilots and flight attendants, and it is expanding premium seating in hopes of bringing in more revenue while trimming billions in debt.

For many budget-conscious flyers, Spirit has long been a go-to option to save money on travel, even if that means bare-bones service and added fees for extras. As the airline reshapes itself yet again, passengers booking their first Spirit flight may want to pay closer attention to what's included and what's not. When it comes to ultra-low-cost travel, knowing these things ahead of time can make all the difference.

Expect uncomfortable seating

One of the things Spirit airplanes are most known for are their small and uncomfortable seats. Mainly, they're severely lacking in legroom. There also isn't much padding, so the seat will likely feel quite hard.

The airline's seats are generally narrower than on other planes, and they don't recline, so prepare for your flight to be rigid and stiff.

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Selecting your seat costs more

Aisle seats will naturally have more legroom, but it'll cost you. When booking a Spirit Airlines flight, you can either choose an assigned seat or let Spirit assign one to you during your flight check-in.

If you choose to book a specific seat, you'll pay anywhere from $1 to $200 on top of the ticket fee. Or, you can let fate decide your seat for free, but you'll likely be stuck in a less desirable position.

Book a Big Front Seat for more comfort

If you don't mind shelling out some extra money for a comfortable seat, consider going all the way with Spirit's Big Front Seat option. Each aircraft has a small number of specialty seats for an extra fee.

When booking in advance, this can cost anywhere from $12 to $750 (each way). These seats are made of leather, wider than usual, and offer six inches of extra legroom.

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Check in online to save money

Most airlines now offer the option to check in online or through a mobile app, and Spirit is no exception. This option is not only more convenient, but it can save you some money.

If you have an agent print your boarding pass at the airport, it will cost you $25. If you check in online, it's free. Passengers can begin checking in 24 hours before their flight's scheduled take-off time.

You get one free personal item

Try to pack light when flying Spirit Airlines. Unlike other companies that offer either free or inexpensive carry-on and checked bags, Spirit only offers passengers one free personal item.

This item must be smaller than 18 inches by 14 inches by 8 inches, or roughly the size of a laptop bag or purse. Checked bags and other carry-ons will cost you extra.

Carry-ons cost extra

There are no set prices for carry-on bags with Spirit Airlines. It depends on a number of factors, including the flight itself and how early you pay for an extra bag. It's cheapest to add a carry-on when buying your ticket, and it gets progressively pricier as your flight date nears.

Roughly, expect carry-ons to cost anywhere from $30 to $99, but that is not a set rate. It could easily be cheaper or more expensive. Carry-ons must be a maximum of 22 by 18 by 10 inches.

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Checked bags have fees and weight limits

Carry-ons and checked bags are similar in that their fees are determined by the flight itself and how early or late you add one to your ticket. In the Spirit world, checked bags cannot exceed 50 pounds.

The price range is roughly the same as well. Prices could vary from $30 to $99 for your first checked bag, but that again is entirely dependent on your flight and when you add a bag. The Spirit First fare comes with one checked bag included, and travelers can purchase additional checked bags separately if space is available.

Overweight and oversized bags have fees

In the case you overpack, or your bag (either checked or carry-on) is oversized, you can expect to pay a charge.

Spirit does not accept checked bags weighing more than 100 pounds (45 kg) or measuring more than 80 total linear inches (203 cm). Bags that weigh between 50 and 100 pounds will incur a $125 fee. If the bag is between 63 and 80 linear inches or is considered a special item that exceeds 80 linear inches, the fee is $150.

Sporting equipment has fees

If you travel frequently to pursue your sport or hobby, you may want to fly Spirit to save on airline tickets. But Spirit has specific baggage fees for some standard sporting gear. A bicycle, for example, costs a flat rate of $75 each way.

Surfboards cost $100, and passengers can place up to two in one bag. After that, gear like golf clubs, skis, and snowboards are subject to basic baggage fees, including overweight charges.

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No in-flight entertainment is provided

While many airlines offer in-flight entertainment, either through screens on the back of seats or free WiFi that allows you to stream from a preselected number of films, Spirit Airlines offers neither of these options.

When preparing for your Spirit flight, consider either bringing a book, downloading an audiobook, podcast, or your favorite songs, or downloading movies straight to your phone or laptop.

In-flight WiFi costs you more

While Spirit does not offer in-flight entertainment or free WiFi, passengers can pay for WiFi service for their flight. There are two options: browsing, which starts at $2.99, and streaming, which starts at $5.99. The cost of each increases depending on the length of the flight.

Passengers can purchase their WiFi either in advance when they book or during their flight. Be aware, though, that it can be a little spotty. If it doesn't work, you can request a refund through the airline's website.

Infants two and under can travel for free

If you're looking to travel with your family on a budget, Spirit Airlines allows infants aged between seven days and two years old to fly for free as a lap child.

After they have their second birthday, you'll need to purchase a fare for your child. You can also purchase a seat for your infants if desired.

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Pets can fly for a fee

You can also fly Spirit Airlines with your household pets for a fee. You can travel with a dog or cat as well as a domestic bird or pet rabbit (with some restrictions). The carrier must measure no more than 18 by 14 by 9 inches in total dimensions and must fit underneath the seat in front of the passenger traveling with the animal.

Join the Free Spirit loyalty program

If you intend to fly frequently with Spirit Airlines, or if you plan on just taking the odd trip here and there, consider joining the Free Spirit loyalty program. The free program allows passengers to earn points that can be exchanged for flights.

The base rate is 12 points for every dollar spent, though higher tiers have better rates. You can buy a flight with as little as 2,500 points.

Join the Spirit Saver$ Club

If you plan on becoming a Spirit Airlines loyalist, however, you may want to consider joining the Spirit Saver$ Club. Membership costs start at $69.95 for 12 months.

Perks include lower fares, savings on checked and carry-on bags, discounted seat selection and access to add-ons like shortcut security.

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Bottom line

Money is tight for many right now, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy traveling. There are plenty of things to do if you're just scraping by, including booking flights on budget airlines like Spirit.

Now that you know everything you need to know about the airline, including its recent bankruptcy, prices, memberships, and other fees and regulations, you'll be able to make the most informed decisions before you travel.

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