Spirit Airlines Put Me in Bad Spirits

I’m on my way to Mexico for a girlfriend getaway!

About a month ago we booked our flights using Priceline. And we decided on Spirit Airlines because they offered the cheapest flights. Flying Spirit meant $100 less on the fare. Score!

Of course, we are not dummies. We knew this low budget carrier would not be as great as other airlines. But I did not expect them to stoop quite as low as they did.

The first bad sign came when I checked-in online the day before our departure. Spirit Airlines charges for checked bags, like most other airlines these days. Your first checked bag is $38 if you pay for it when you check-in. That is astronomical. According to seatguru.com it’s $13 more than American. And for this same flight on Delta there is no charge for the first checked bag.

But that is not all I paid in baggage fees. They also charge you for your carry-on. Yep, that’s right. You get to bring a personal item on board that will fit under the seat in front of you for free. But if you have a second item and need to put it in the overhead bin it is $35 at check-in. So add up these costs and that is an additional $146 to the fare total for both ways.

Given the facts, I wish we’d gone with another airline that provides more creature comforts – because Spirit skimps everywhere they can!

As I sit here on the plane, I am noticing just how cheap this airline is.

The seats are pretty narrow, there is less legroom than on other carriers and these arm rests are really flimsy. As I feel for the recline-button on the armrest I discover, oh, these seats don’t even recline! And there is no comfy little pillow built into the head rest of the seat. So if I want to take a nap I’ll be swaying back and forth and probably end up on my neighbor’s shoulder.

I guess I’ll stick to writing and reading my book. And I say that because there is no in-flight entertainment. None. There’s no little personal monitor to buy movies from or tv on demand and there’s no movie for everyone to watch. Nothing.

And here are some other fun details:

-You have to pay for refreshments like coffee, tea, soda, water and snacks. Most airlines have us paying for snacks and booze but not non-alcoholic drinks. A soft drink is $2.

-If you want to check in at the airport with a human being rather than at the computer kiosk, they charge you $5.

-It costs money to choose where you want to sit on the plane. I’m not talking about upgrades to the bulk head seats or exit rows. I’m talking about choosing your seats at all. So my friends and I are scattered about the plane.

-The restroom in the front of the plane is out of service.

My frustration with this airline is quelled only by this very tantalizing view as we land.

To be fair there were pros. The plane was clean. The airplane attendants were nice. The pilot had a sense of humor. And the plane did get us there.

PS. Stay tuned for posts about our trip exploring the Mayan Riviera in and around Tulum and throughout the Yucatan Peninsula.