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Have you been wondering "Is Spirit Airlines safe?" We've got you covered in this in-depth Spirit Airline review!
Long story short: Yes, Spirit Airlines is safe to fly.
It's even ranked #1 safest U.S. airline in 2024 by WalletHub.
With a strong safety record and over 30 years of experience in the industry, Spirit Airlines ensures reliability and assurance for travelers.
In this guide, we'll explore essential details you need to know before choosing Spirit Airlines for your next flight.
As budget travelers who frequently choose to fly with Spirit, we understand the concerns tied to both cost and safety.
We aim to dispel any misconceptions, offering you the facts, including insights into Spirit Airlines' safety record and we'll even get into Spirit Airlines baggage policy.
This way, you can confidently make an informed decision about your upcoming journey.
We always tell you to “See the World, Save a Dollar!” However, it's crucial to emphasize that the most important consideration in your travel plans should be safety.
Never compromise your safety for savings— we strongly discourage that!
While there are plenty of opportunities to find affordable flights, even with legacy airlines like Delta and United, what do you do when an irresistible deal pops up with Spirit Airlines?
This might lead you to ask the following questions:
- Is Spirit Airlines safe?
- Why is Spirit Airlines so cheap?
- Can you really trust a low-cost carrier to get you to your destination safely?
These are valid concerns, and you've come to the right place for the real answers.
Whether or not you've flown with Spirit Airlines, chances are you've heard about them.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at this budget airline.
If you're looking for affordable flights but have reservations about Spirit Airlines' safety, read on to determine if it's the right choice for you.
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for airline safety. They are the ones who ensure you will be flying under safe conditions.
Every airline has to meet the FAA’s safety requirements. Spirit Airlines is no exception. If Spirit didn’t meet the FAA’s safety criteria, they would not be permitted in the air.
In fact, Spirit Airlines is FAA certified and has also been awarded FAA’s Maintenance Technician Diamond Award of Excellence four years in a row.
So what makes Spirit Airlines so bad? Mainly their customer reviews.
And the social media memes that portray a culmination of complaints about Spirit Airlines.
You can find many customer complaints related to paying for baggage, paying for snacks, paying for WiFi, poor customer service when it comes to delays and cancellations, and paying for seat assignments.
But this doesn’t make it a dangerous airline.
The word “cheap” is tossed into a lot of the negative reviews on Spirit. This can lead to assumptions that cheap flight prices equate to everything about the airline being cheap, and therefore unsafe.
But “cheap” does not automatically mean unsafe. The actual definition of “cheap” is “low in price; worth more than its cost.”
Getting from where you are to your bucket-list destination is worth so much. And many times, finding a cheap flight can be the difference between you going on your dream vacation or not.
This is important to consider when you read through the complaints about Spirit Airlines, especially if safety is your main priority.
To think that low ticket prices mean an unsafe experience is an exaggeration. When there are many memes reiterating this idea, it’s easy to believe.
Rest assured that Spirit planes have been reviewed and approved by the FAA. They are the official airway safety regulators from the US Department of Transportation.
You can trust that an airline certified by the FAA (like Spirit) is safe to fly with.
But of course there are factors other than safety to think about before you book your cheap Spirit Airlines flight.
And you’ll need to consider whether Spirit is worth it for you overall. (More on that later).
So when you find that cheap fare with a Spirit flight, you shouldn’t worry about whether it is going to be safe. And that is because Spirit Airlines is reviewed for safety by the FAA and is officially certified.
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Spirit Airlines Fleet
Spirit Airlines does not build its own planes from scratch. Instead, they use the same type of planes that legacy carriers often use.
Spirit planes are modern Airbus aircrafts. The Airbus fleet is also flown by other trusted major airlines like Delta Airlines, United Airlines, and American Airlines.
Spirit’s single-type fleets are one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient in America. The average age of a Spirit plane is 7 years old. Comparatively, Delta planes are 14 years old, on average.
Spirit Airlines has planes that are affordable, new, and safe.
The Airbus aircraft has been named one of the safest commercial aircrafts in the world by Boeing’s Statistical Summary of Commercial Jet Airplane Accidents.
A lot of people mention having a bumpy ride on a Spirit flight. And turbulence can certainly make a flight experience rough. But turbulence is a change in the air around the plane.
Spirit Airlines does not control the air around its planes. No airline does. Turbulence is a common experience whenever you fly, regardless of who you fly with.
Turbulence is not a sign of danger; it's a natural part of flying.
To ensure safety, always be seated when it occurs to avoid the risk of falling and potential injury.
If you want to minimize the impact of turbulence during your flight, consider these strategies.
Personally, I find that avoiding seats at the back of the plane and opting for those closer to the wing or in the front significantly reduces the sensation of turbulence.
You may have heard of Spirit’s Big Front Seat. These big front seats offer extra legroom, extra space, and more comfort than the standard seats on the Spirit Airlines planes.
My husband is 6’1” and I am 5’9”, the general legroom is honestly not the best on Spirit Airlines, but also not the worst, in our opinion.
Spirit Airlines has 28 inches of seat pitch compared to 30 inches of seat pitch of many standard economy seats.
We’ve taken numerous Spirit Airline flights and have had comfortable experiences. This is especially true because the flights from New York to our destination are not very long.
The Big Front Seat provides an additional six inches of legroom, which may be worth it for you.
As with most seats in the front of any aircraft, additional fees apply.
On my husband's recent flight from Fort Lauderdale this past December, he was able to sit in the Big Front Seat for only $19 USD. Here's how:
At the time of check-in, Spirit Airlines sent him an email saying that the Big Front Seat was available to bid on.
So, he put in the lowest possible bid which was $19 USD, and guess what?
He won the bid!
If you purchase the Big Front Seat in advance, it's quite a bit more than $19 USD.
Securing it for such a steal through the bid process left my husband feeling like he had snagged the deal of a lifetime.
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Spirit Airlines Safety Record
When considering how safe is flying with Spirit Airlines, keep the below details in mind.
Spirit Airlines has credible pilots and flight attendants. They go through extensive training to ensure a safe flight for everyone.
In the last ten years, Spirit Airlines has had zero fatal accidents. This is a testament to the airline’s commitment to safety and the effectiveness of its safety protocols.
Spirit flight crews are equipped to professionally and safely handle incidents that can arise.
In the unlikely event of an emergency, Spirit aircrafts have life vests, oxygen masks, and onboard emergency medical kits, among other safety measures in place that comply with FAA requirements.
No airline can guarantee 100% safety. However, Spirit Airlines’ commitment to safety, high safety ratings, and excellent safety record should give you peace of mind when flying with them.
Spirit Airlines has also been ranked by the Jet Airliner Crash Data Evaluation Centre (JACDEC) as a top 25 airline in the world in their 2022 safety analysis.
Additionally, AirlineRatings.com has recognized it as one of the top 20 safest low-cost airlines for 2023.
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Why Is Spirit Airlines So Cheap?
If Spirit Airlines is safe, you might wonder, “Why is Spirit Airlines so cheap?” How are their prices so low?
The key is understanding fees. You can adjust your travel style to accommodate their policies or choose another airline that better suits your preferences while still ensuring safety.
We’ll go over more tips on how to fly Spirit later in this article.
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Where Does Spirit Fly To?
Spirit Airlines offers a range of flight options, primarily focusing on domestic routes within the United States, and popular vacation spots in the Caribbean and Latin America.
Whether you’re planning a quick getaway or a longer trip, Spirit covers various destinations across the country and throughout tropical destinations.
Some of our favorite trips began with a Spirit flight, providing affordable and convenient travel options for diverse travel experiences in places like:
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Spirit Airlines Baggage Policy
If you’re ready to go on an affordable adventure with Spirit Airlines to exciting destinations like the ones mentioned above, you probably want to pack your bags right now.
But before you zip up your luggage, it’s essential to understand the ins and outs of Spirit Airlines’ baggage policy.
Knowing what and how much you can pack is crucial, as baggage fees can vary based on your packing preference.
P.S. This also holds true with most other airlines, as well, so it is crucial to always check the baggage policy of the airline you are flying with.
Knowing the baggage policy allows you to tailor your travel experience to your needs.
Whether you prefer traveling light with just a personal item or need to bring more luggage, understanding the policy helps you make choices that align with your preferences.
Familiarity with the baggage policy streamlines the Spirit check in process.
You can prepare in advance, ensuring a smooth experience when you arrive at the airport.
If you wait until you’re at the airport to address your baggage needs, you will likely encounter higher fees.
Understanding the policy beforehand enables you to make informed decisions and avoid last-minute adjustments that could be more costly.
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Is Spirit Airlines Worth It?
Spirit Airlines gives you the opportunity to save money on your vacation. However, this opportunity does not always align with everyone's travel style.
And it doesn't make sense to book with a budget airline if you are going to fall into their extra charges.
The a la carte business model may be a deal breaker if the extra fees end up costing you more than flying with another airline that's less restrictive.
Consider what's important to you. Number one should be safety. We've covered that Spirit airlines is a safe airline. Next consider other features like baggage and in-flight experience.
Spirit airlines is a basic airline. There are no frills. There's no free drinks or free food. But there are still ways to have a great experience, once you have the right expectations.
For the best possible savings flying with Spirit, you’ll need to come prepared with the following:
- Travel with a personal item only. Bringing a carry-on bag and/or checked bag will incur a fee. Instead, we recommend using the GOT Bag Rolltop Lite. You can find more details on why it’s the best travel bag in our minimalist travel packing article.
- Save space in your personal item bag by packing your clothes inside your neck pillow. The Cosy Collection Neck and Bag pillow has helped us avoid baggage fees countless times! And it’s perfect for when you want to sleep through any flight.
- Bring your own dry snacks and your own water bottle. The Meko Pak collapsible water bottle is ideal. It’s small enough to pack. And once you get through airport security, fill it up at the free water fountains before you board your flight.
- Bring your own entertainment. Spirit Airlines does not have any tv’s and they charge for Wifi. Before your flight while you still have service, download your favorite Netflix show onto your phone. You can watch the downloaded show or movie at any time while offline.
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These are just a few tips to have a better experience with Spirit airlines (and can also apply to some other budget airlines).
Having these tips on how to fly Spirit can really enhance your overall flight experience.
Even still, Spirit is not for everyone. And that’s okay. There are other opportunities to save money on your travel. You first have to know what your travel style is and what you are comfortable with.
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Is Spirit a Safe Airline?
So how safe is Spirit Airlines?
While safety is a top concern for any traveler, we can confidently say that Spirit Airlines takes safety seriously and has implemented a range of measures to ensure that passengers are safe and secure throughout their journey.
From a team of well-trained pilots and crew members to a variety of safety practices and equipment, Spirit Airlines is dedicated to providing a safe and comfortable travel experience for all.
So, can you trust low-cost airlines?
Contrary to the assumption that budget airlines with cheap ticket prices pose a significant safety risk, the reality may surprise you.
The next time you hear that Spirit Airlines is the worst airline, consider the reasons behind that statement.
Spirit Airlines may not align with your travel preferences, but it's crucial to note that safety standards apply universally across all airlines, including Spirit.
After reading this article, you should feel more confident about your decision regarding flying with Spirit Airlines.
Whether you're more of a first-class flyer or prefer a different airline, our Top 9 Ways to Find Cheap Flights freebie has got you covered.
Download it below to unlock the secrets to affordable travel, regardless of your airline preference.
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FAQs on Is Spirit Airlines Safe?
Is Spirit a good airline?
- Spirit Airlines is a budget airline that offers affordable air travel with fewer amenities than other airlines. Despite this, Spirit Airlines has a strong safety record, high safety ratings, and effective safety practices in place.
Where does Spirit Airlines rank?
- In terms of safety, Spirit Airlines has high safety ratings from reputable organizations such as the FAA and IATA. However, in terms of overall customer satisfaction, Spirit Airlines may rank lower than other airlines due to their budget model and fewer amenities.
What plane does Spirit use?
- Spirit Airlines use an all-Airbus fleet. These aircraft are equipped with necessary safety equipment, such as life vests, oxygen masks, and onboard emergency medical kits per FAA requirements.
Are Spirit Airlines pilots and crew members properly trained?
- Yes, Spirit Airlines pilots undergo extensive training programs that meet or exceed FAA standards, and their crew members receive ongoing training to ensure that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to handle any safety-related issues.
Are Spirit Airlines aircrafts equipped with necessary safety equipment?
- Yes, Spirit Airlines aircrafts have life vests, oxygen masks, and onboard emergency medical kits, among other safety measures in place, that comply with FAA requirements.
How can I find out about Spirit Airlines' safety ratings?
- Spirit Airlines has received high ratings from reputable safety organizations like the FAA and the IATA.
What happens if there is an emergency on board a Spirit Airlines flight?
- In the rare event of an emergency, Spirit Airlines flight crews are equipped to handle incidents that can arise and are trained to ensure the safety of all passengers on board.
What should I do if I have concerns about flying with Spirit Airlines?
- If you have any concerns or questions about flying with Spirit Airlines, you can reach out to their customer service team for more information and assistance.
Why is Spirit Airlines so bad?
- Spirit Airlines' budget model, which offers lower prices but fewer amenities than other airlines, has faced criticism. Passengers may be charged for carry-on bags, seat assignments, and in-flight snacks and drinks, leading to a perception of low value for the price.
Why is Spirit Airlines so cheap?
- Spirit Airlines keeps its costs low by offering fewer amenities and charging for extras. This allows them to offer lower prices that appeal to budget-conscious travelers while still adhering to strict safety measures.
Great post!
Thanks for checking it out!
Great write up, I’ve flown Spirit several times and never had an issue. Sign me up for “cheap” !
Thanks so much for reading! We’re all about the cheap deals 🙂