A Spirit Airlines commercial aircraft prepares to land at San Diego International Airport in San Diego, California, USA, January 18, 2024.
Mike Blake | Reuters
Free Wi-Fi? Free checked bags? Free snacks? spirit?
The Florida-based airline synonymous with cheap air travel in the United States said on Tuesday it plans to offer its highest-priced tickets packaged with perks that it previously offered as standalone items, an attempt to boost revenue as the company struggles with the fallout from a blocked U.S. takeover. JetBlueengine recalls, an oversupplied domestic market and larger rivals capitalizing on both premium-minded and cost-conscious travelers.
Spirit Airlines plans to launch the following four categories of service late next month:
The “Go Big” ticket includes one of the “Big Front Seats,” which are spacious seats at the front of the Airbus plane. Rather than touting just the seat, the ticket offers free Wi-Fi, one checked bag, one carry-on bag, and, as CEO Ted Christie told CNBC, “unlimited” snacks and drinks, including alcoholic beverages. Below this package is the “Go Comfy,” which has standard legroom but blocks the middle seat for more space. This perk also includes early boarding, one snack, one non-alcoholic drink, and checked and carry-on bags. The “Go Savvy” fare includes either a checked or carry-on bag. And then there’s Spirit’s original product, the “Go,” which only charges for a seat, checked bag, carry-on bag, seat selection, Wi-Fi, and snacks.
These options will be available to book from August 16th, with all four options available for flights from August 27th.
Spirit Airlines competes with major airlines such as: United Some airlines are trying to attract cost-conscious travelers with their bare-bones product, while still offering higher-priced options like extra legroom and first class.
“What we’ve now realized is that we’ve ceded other markets to other airlines,” Christie said in an interview. “Now we’re saying, ‘Nah, we can keep doing what we’ve always done, but we’re also going to compete for customers that want a little more premium and are willing to pay for it. They just didn’t have the advantage over us.'”
Spirit Airlines warned this month that it may lose more than expected because non-ticket revenue — the money it collects in fees — was lower than initially expected. The airline also warned pilots that they may face layoffs in the coming months.
Spirit Airlines isn’t the only airline looking to add more premium seats to attract more customers. Southwest AirlinesUnder pressure to boost profits, the airline last week announced plans to do away with open seating and offer “premium” seats with extra legroom, in the airline’s biggest shakeup in more than 50 years of flying. Frontier Airlines The airline announced in March that it would offer center seats in blocks at the front of the plane for a higher price.
