Is Spirit Airlines Safe to Fly in 2024? All You Need To Know

Hearing about the news of an airline incident can make your heart pop with fear. 

Furthermore, when you choose to air travel, there might be a thought, is this flight safe?

In this article, we will address your question with everything about Spirit Airlines as this airline is one of the most popular and budget-friendly ones!

2024 calls with exciting travel possibilities and we will inform you about this ultra-low-cost carrier to help you decide, whether to choose it for your next flight or not.

The History of Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines was founded in 1980 and has its headquarters in Miramar, Florida. It offers air travel to regions in the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. 

This legacy carrier focused on affordable travel. 

In the initial days, it offered only charter flights, and later it added scheduled flights as well in the late 90s.

The 2000s was the era of growth for the company. They added more planes to their fleet and started selling their stock to the public in 2007.

Today, Spirit Airlines has a widespread network. Especially known for being budget-friendly and basic air travel.

Pros & Cons Of Spirit Airlines

PROS	CONS
1. Low-Cost Fares: Spirit often offers lower ticket prices compared to other airlines.	1. Additional Fees: Fees for services like baggage, seat selection, and boarding options can add up.
2. Frequent Deals: Regular travelers can often find deals and discounts.	2. Minimal Amenities: Spirit flights have fewer facilities compared to some other airlines.
3. Flexible Booking Options: Options like “Bare Fare” allow passengers to choose only the services they need.	3. Cramped Seating: Seats on Spirit flights are known for being more tightly spaced.
4. Extensive Route Network: Spirit serves various destinations across the Americas.	4. On-Time Performance: In the past, people have criticized Spirit Airlines for not always being on time.
5. Optional Upgrades: Passengers can choose to add amenities and services as per their preferences.	5. Customer Service: Some travelers have reported issues with customer service responsiveness.
6. Modern Fleet: Spirit operates a relatively new fleet of aircraft.	6. Limited Services: Limited in-flight services and entertainment options.

Recent Incidents Of Spirit Airlines

8 July 2023: flight NK-438 from the USA to the Virgin Islands was taking off when the crew reported an engine problem. The aircraft returned for a safe landing on the runway about an hour after departure.

2 October 2021: A flight NK-3044 from Atlantic City to Fort Lauderdale was accelerating for takeoff from Atlantic City’s runway when the crew rejected takeoff advising they had a bird strike into the right-hand engine and were stopping on the runway. A short while later tower advised there appeared to be fire underneath the engine. While evacuating, 3 passengers and 1 crew traveling as passengers received minor injuries.

20 July 2023: A Spirit Airlines Airbus A319-100 from Atlanta was on approach to New Orleans’ runway when the aircraft faced turbulence causing injuries to 3 cabin crew. The aircraft continued for a safe landing a few minutes later.

2 May 2023: As a result of the cracked cabin window, the ULCC’s flight from Orlando to Medellín diverted to Cartagena. A Spirit Airlines flight en route to Medellín was forced to divert due to a cracked cabin window.

19 April 2022: A flight NK-1722 from Chicago to Las Vegas, was en route to Denver when the crew put on their oxygen masks reporting smoke in the cockpit, and decided to divert to Denver. The aircraft landed safely on Denver’s runway 26 about 25 minutes.

1 November 2021: In Tampa, Florida, a Spirit Airlines A320 during the approach suffered several impacts on the cowlings of both engines. After the next take-off, several hours later, the aircraft was forced to return for unknown reasons.

Thankfully, Spirit Airlines hasn’t experienced any fatal accidents involving passengers or crew since 2015. It is because of the airline’s commitment to safety.

IATA Auditing Provisions: Spirit Airlines

IOSA is the global industry standard for airline operational safety, and Spirit participated in the audit as part of its IATA membership renewal.

“Spirit Airlines Completes Internationally Recognized Safety Audit”- published by Aviation Pros on November 20, 2023.

The provisions based on ICAO annexes, ensure the airlines’s adherence to safety standards:

• Annex 1: Skilled personnel licensing guarantees passenger safety through trained pilots and ground staff.
• Annexes 2, 6, and 8: Rules for weather conditions, air traffic, and aircraft design ensure safe landings and efficient operations.
• Annex 8: Strong security measures, including cockpit doors and competent crews, address potential threats.
• Annex 17: Collaboration with regional authorities to develop comprehensive international airline safety strategies.
• Annex 18: Compliance with cargo shipment safety protocols.
• Annex 19: Continuous safety upgrades to adapt to evolving industry challenges.

If you’re still wondering, Is Spirit Airlines safe? Spirit Airlines’ recognition from IATA reflects its commitment to safety policies.

Penalties Against Spirit Airlines

Fines

• 2020: Fined $350,000 for mistreating the “bumped” passengers i.e. who can’t get on a flight that is too full.
• 2019: Fined $100,000 for not properly keeping track of and dealing with complaints about how they treated passengers with disabilities.
• 2016: Fined $7.5 million for deceptive advertising related to baggage fees and seat prices.

Complaints

• 2023: Ranked poorly in customer satisfaction surveys by several organizations, including the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Consumer Reports.
• 2022: Received over 20,000 complaints to the DOT, primarily related to baggage issues, flight delays, and cancellations.
• 2021: Saw an increase in customer complaints compared to 2020, focusing on similar issues as 2022.

Positive Developments

• 2023: Improved on-time arrival performance compared to previous years.
• 2022: Announced efforts to improve customer service by investing in technology and employee training.
• 2021: Implemented new baggage fees that offered more transparency and flexibility.

While Spirit Airlines still faces criticism for fines and complaints related to fees, customer service, and flight disruptions, they have also shown some positive changes.

It’s important to consider both sides of the story when evaluating safety.

Is Spirit Airlines Good? Have A Look!

1. Spirit Airlines is Equipped with Modern Fleets 

Spirit Airlines has a bunch of new planes with the latest features.

These new planes are great for a few reasons. First, they use less fuel, which is better for the environment and can make tickets cheaper.

Also, these newer planes usually make for a more comfy and dependable flight. Having these modern planes shows that Spirit wants to give their passengers good, affordable flights without any fuss. 

By keeping their planes up-to-date, Spirit stays ahead in the world of budget airlines.

2. Always on Time

Spirit Airlines is known for always being on time. They focus on making sure their flights run smoothly and on schedule. 

They also have a good system for keeping an eye on their flights, which helps them make any changes quickly if they need to. This makes them one of the most reliable airlines when it comes to punctuality.

3. Spirit Airlines is FAA Certified

Spirit Airlines is FAA-certified, meaning it meets all safety standards the Federal Aviation Administration sets. In addition, the brand employs experienced pilots and has a strong safety record.

In fact, over the past decade, the airline has not had a single fatal accident.

So, when it comes to mind, is Spirit Airlines safe? Yes, and is a great choice while saving a lot of money.

4. Affordable Travel

The airline secured second position among low-cost carriers in JACDEC’s safety rankings in 2019. 

While compared with other airlines, Spirit is quite affordable and does not even compromise the basic needs in the budget.

5. Customizable Travel Experience

Passengers can choose and pay for only the services and amenities they need, such as baggage, seat selection, and onboard refreshments. 

This makes this airline attractive and flexible for any type of user.

6. Wide Area of Network

Spirit Airlines offers a wide network of routes that cover various destinations. 

They fly to many cities across the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. This extensive network means travelers have a lot of choices when planning trips, from short domestic to longer international. 

Spirit’s route network keeps expanding, giving customers more options over time.

7. Easy Online Booking and Check-In

Spirit Airlines offers an easy online booking facility through its website. The website is user-friendly and one can look through the various options available for their visit.

Before 24 hours of your flight departure, you can check in through the Internet.

This is helpful as you can directly go to the security line at the airport if you’re not checking any bags.

8. Membership and Loyalty Programs

Spirit Airlines has special programs to thank people who fly with them a lot and give them extra benefits. 

They have the “Free Spirit” program where you can earn points every time you fly or use services from their partners. These points can be used to pay for future flights.

They also offer the “$9 Fare Club.” If you join this club by paying a yearly fee, you get special low prices for flights and cheaper baggage fees.

9. Skilled and Expert Staff

Spirit Airlines hires pilots and cabin crew to the staff with relevant expertise. The pilots are skilled to fly the newest planes and make sure you arrive on time, and safely. 

The flight attendants do everything to keep you comfy and happy during the flight. 

If you need help with your tickets, checking in, or have any questions, the airport staff and those answering the phones are there to help. 

10. Extra Legroom Space

Spirit offers “Extra Legroom” seats with 31-32 inches of legroom. This is comparable to other airlines’ basic economy legroom options, often available for less than $35. 

Spirit’s “Big Front Seats” offer the most generous legroom at 36 inches, similar to some airlines’ domestic first class. However, these can be significantly more expensive than the regular “Extra Legroom” seats.

Updated Spirit Airlines Flying Routes

Spirit Airlines has an extensive network of flying routes that firstly cover destinations in the United States. The Airline serves numerous domestic cities, connecting travelers from coast to coast. 

Domestic

• US cities: Spirit flies to major US cities like New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami to smaller regional airports.
• East Coast and Midwest: Their domestic network is strongest in the Eastern and Midwestern regions.
• West Coast: While they offer some routes to West Coast cities, their presence is less wide compared to other airlines.

International 

• Caribbean: Popular destinations like the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and the Bahamas.
• Mexico: Routes to popular tourist spots like Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, and Puerto Vallarta.
• Central and South America: Limited flights to Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador.

The Best Way To Judge an Airline

There are a few things to keep in mind to judging an airline.

The first is passenger safety. Air travel is one of the safest modes of transportation, but accidents can still happen. Therefore, it is important to choose an airline that has a good safety record.

The second factor is price. Airlines charge similar prices for similar routes. It is important to compare prices before booking a flight. 

The third factor is customer service. Good customer service can make your travel, a peaceful one. When choosing an airline read customer reviews to get the idea of it. 

Finally, amenities. Some Aviation brands offer free meals and entertainment, while others charge for them. Decide which amenities are important to you and choose the airline that offers them.

Why Spirit Airlines Is So Cheap?

Spirit Airlines is cheap for several reasons.

First, they keep things simple – no fancy extras on flights, meaning you pay less. 

They also offer a Spirit Credit Card that lets you save more with discounts and points.

Their business is run smartly with up-to-date tech, cutting down on staff costs. 

Plus, they mostly use less busy airports, which are cheaper. 

All these things add up, making Spirit a great choice for travelers on a tight budget.

What You Can Get Free On Spirit Airlines?

Spirit Airlines is all about saving money and doesn’t have many extras. This keeps their tickets really cheap. But, you still get some free stuff. 

You can bring a small item like a purse or backpack for free. They also give out free water and coffee. If you need to change your flight, they won’t charge you if you do it 60 days before your trip. 

So, even though Spirit isn’t fancy, it’s great for saving money on travel.

Why Does Spirit Airlines Have a Bad Reputation?

They have a bad reputation for several reasons. 

First, the airline sometimes charges hidden fees for things like baggage and seat selection. This surprises customers who use other airlines, as these fees are included in the cost of the ticket price.

Spirit also has a reputation for being uncooperative with customers, who cancel or change their plans. The airline often refuses to refund tickets or even provide a voucher for future travel. As a result, they have earned a reputation for being one of the most customer-unfriendly airlines in the industry and this is why people avoid flying with spirit.

Tips For Traveling Smart On Spirit Airlines 

• Book Early: Booking flights in advance often leads to lower fares. Spirit Airlines offers flexible fare options.
• Travel Light: Packing properly and relying on a personal item can significantly reduce baggage fees, which are Spirit’s specialty.
• Flexible Dates: Being open to different travel dates increases your options and opens doors to cheaper flights within your desired travel window.
• Opt for Bare Fare: “Bare Fare” is Spirit’s most basic option, providing the lowest advertised price and letting you add desired services for a fee, potentially saving money compared to pre-bundled fares.
• Check Deals and Promotions: Monitoring Spirit’s website and signing up for their email alerts can reveal limited-time discounts, especially on off-peak travel dates.
• Avoid Add-Ons: Choosing to decline services like seat selection, priority boarding, or in-flight food/drinks can significantly reduce your overall cost.
• Use Rewards: Utilizing any earned frequent flyer miles or credit card rewards points towards Spirit flights can further lower your expenses.

Our Conclusion

Yes, Spirit Airlines is safe to fly in 2024. The airline maintains strict safety standards and continuously invests in maintaining a secure and good flying experience for passengers. 

Spirit follows strict safety protocols, regular maintenance checks, and industry regulations. With this, the airline ensures the well-being of passengers. 

Travelers can confidently choose Spirit Airlines for their flights in 2024, with assurance in the airline’s positive safety record and ongoing dedication to passenger safety.

FAQs

1. Is Spirit a good airline?

While examining how Spirit Airlines runs, things don’t seem very good. As per the Air Travel Consumer Report from June 2023, Spirit Airlines only managed to get 60.7% of its flights to arrive on time and had to cancel 3.6% of its flights.

2. Why is Spirit Plane so cheap?

Spirit Airlines flies to smaller airports that are usually not as busy and have lower fees for landing. It helps to cut down their costs.

3. Who is Spirit Airlines owned by?

Spirit Airlines is currently owned by JetBlue Airways. They purchased it for $3.8B on Jul 28, 2022.