Carrying your luggage with Spirit Airlines can be a challenging task. It is an ultra-low-cost carrier(ULCC) that offers flights to destinations in the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Spirit Airlines has a strict baggage policy that passengers must adhere to in order to avoid additional fees. Although being ULCC, Spirit Airlines can charge much higher fees for additional charges for extra luggage. So, it is advised to carry only what you are allowed by the airlines.
This article will provide a detailed overview of Spirit Airlines’ baggage policy, including the size and weight limits for carry-on and checked bags, as well as the fees associated with exceeding these limits.
Spirit Airlines Baggage Policy
Spirit Airlines has a slightly different baggage policy that you might not see on any other airlines. Due to the prices it offers for its tickets, there is no room for any additional discount, so almost every extra stuff you carry must be paid for or purchased to be carried on the plane.
Spirit Airlines Carry-on baggage
There are two categories here- Personal Items and Carry-on baggage.
For personal items, the dimension limit is 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm) including handles and wheels.
The personal item must be able to fit under the seat in front of you.
For carry-on baggage, the dimension limit is 22 x 18 x10 inches (56 x 46 x 25 cm) including handles and wheels. The carry-on bag must be able to fit in the overhead bin.
*In some planes, carry-on baggage can only be allowed in place of checked baggage.
Any bag that exceeds these dimensions will be considered oversized and will incur an additional fee.
Spirit Airlines Checked baggage
Spirit Airlines passengers can check up to two bags for a fee.
The maximum size for checked baggage allowed is 62 linear inches, which implies length + width + height= 158 cm. And the maximum weight of the baggage should not be more than 40 pounds in weight or 18.1 kg, including handles and wheels.
Overweight Baggage
Oversized/overweight baggage is those that exceed the size or weight limit. Carrying them will incur additional charges via the airlines.
Please Note- Unfortunately, bags that weigh more than 100 pounds or 45 kg or that measure more than 80 linear inches or 203 cm in overall dimensions are not accepted on the plane. You must send them as cargo if needed.
Spirit Airlines Restrictions & Special Allowances
Although Spirit does not have a long list of restrictions or special allowances for their flights. So let’s check out all that Spirit wants you to keep in mind.
Bag Restriction for International Travel
If you are traveling on any international route, there are some additional restriction that Spirit Airlines want you to adhere to-
- South America, Lima, Peru (LIM)- These restrictions are applied all year long, and additional restrictions apply from December 1st through January 10th.
- Only 1 paid checked item is accepted per person.
- Based on the inventory space available, you can carry paid checked items.
- Overweight items must be between 40 lbs (18kg) to 100 lbs(45kg).
- Oversized items must be between 62 linear inches (158 cm) and 80 linear inches (203 cm).
- Certain items including Sporting equipment might exceed the 80 linear inches mark but must not exceed the 100 lbs weight limit.
- From December 1st through January 10th, items exceeding the mark of 80 linear inches will not be accepted on the plane.
- South America, Colombia (AXM, BAQ, BGA, CLO, CTG, MDE), and Ecuador (GYE)-
- One (1) paid checked item will be accepted per person.
- Additional checked items may be purchased on a first-come-first-serve basis.
- All other International Destinations-
- One (1) paid checked item will be accepted per person.
- Additional checked items may be purchased on a first-come-first-serve basis.
- Overweight items are subject to overweight baggage charges beginning at 41 pounds (18 kg).
- Oversized items are subject to oversized baggage charges beginning at 63 linear inches (158 cm).
Special Allowance For Military Personnel
Spirit Airlines respects the US Military personnel and makes sure their fares are kept as low as possible. As a gesture of thanks to the U.S. Military members, Spirit Airlines provide some special services for them-
Free Bags For Active Duty U.S. Military
If any active duty military personnel travel via Spirit Airlines they will be offered added advantages over others-
- Two free checked bags.
- A free carry-on.
- A free personal item.
However, due to the already low fares, this facility is only applicable to the person, not their family members. They need to arrive early at the airport to validate their ID and claim the advantages. However, to save time, they can validate their active duty affiliation online during their Spirit.com booking using ID.ME, a third-party verification service.
Wounded Warrior & Families
Each year, for serving members of the army who have been wounded in battle, Spirit Airlines provides hundreds of free flights for these warriors and their families. To honor their sacrifices and to let their families be with them, Spirit, in partnership with Luke’s Wings, provides immediate services in case of their hospitalization and rehabilitation needs.
Honor Flights
In partnership with Honor Flight of South Florida, Spirit Airlines flew more than 80 World War II Veterans (half of the plane), during the last spring to Washington DC, to honor their service to the country. They are taken to the nation’s capital to celebrate a day with them. Also, a special trip is planned for them to the Arlington National Cemetery, the Iwo Jima Memorial, and the recently constructed World War II memorial.
*Note- As a ULCC, Spirit’s fares are already very low so there is no scope for discounts for bereavement, U.S. military, children, students, or senior citizens. But to compensate for the respect for their services, they do allow two free checked bags, and one free carry-on to active duty U.S. military, who present their U.S. military ID at the check-in counter.
Spirit Airlines Baggage Fees
The fee structure of Spirit is varying according to the number of extra bags and the mode of check-in. Here you will get an idea about the fee structure of the airlines without having to look for it on the official website.
- First Bag- While carrying only a single bag on Spirit Airlines here are the fee structure you need to keep in mind for membership holders as well as general passengers-
- Spirit Saver$ Club (Fees paid during)-
- Spirit.com booking- $54 to $63
- Before online check-in- $56 to $65
- During Online Check-in- $58 to $67
- Airport, Group Desk, Reservations Center- $79
- At Gate- $99
- Standard (Fees paid during)-
- Spirit.com booking- $55 to $64
- Before online check-in- $57 to $66
- During Online Check-in- $59 to $68
- Airport, Group Desk, Reservations Center- $79
- At Gate- $99
- Spirit Saver$ Club (Fees paid during)-
- Second Bag- While carrying one additional bag along with 1st bag on Spirit Airlines here are the fee structure you need to keep in mind for membership holders as well as general passengers-
- Spirit Saver$ Club (Fees paid during)-
- Spirit.com booking- $64 to $73
- Before online check-in- $66 to $75
- During Online Check-in- $68 to $77
- Airport, Group Desk, Reservations Center- $89
- Standard (Fees paid during)-
- Spirit.com booking- $65 to $74
- Before online check-in- $67 to $76
- During Online Check-in- $69 to $78
- Airport, Group Desk, Reservations Center- $89
- Spirit Saver$ Club (Fees paid during)-
- Third to Fifth Bag- While carrying any extra bag(3 to 5) apart from the second bag on Spirit Airlines here are the fee structure you need to keep in mind for membership holders as well as general passengers-
- Spirit Saver$ Club (Fees paid during)-
- Spirit.com booking- $98
- Before online check-in- $98
- During Online Check-in- $98
- Airport, Group Desk, Reservations Center- $100
- Standard (Fees paid during)-
- Spirit.com booking- $99
- Before online check-in- $99
- During Online Check-in- $99
- Airport, Group Desk, Reservations Center- $100
- Spirit Saver$ Club (Fees paid during)-
Exceptions to the baggage policy
Spirit Airlines does allow some exceptions to its baggage policy. For example, passengers with disabilities are allowed to bring larger carry-on bags. Passengers requiring a wheelchair and other assistive and mobility devices be checked free of charge at the ticket counter or at the gates.
Passengers are also allowed to bring musical instruments as carry-on bags, but there are size and weight restrictions.
Tips to Avoid Spirit Airlines Excess Baggage Fees
Here are some additional tips for avoiding baggage fees when flying Spirit Airlines:
- Pack light if you are traveling with Spirit Airlines. The lighter your bags, the less likely they are to exceed the weight or dimension limits.
- Check your bags in advance to avoid added fees. This will also give you time to make sure your bags fit within the size and weight limits.
- Weigh your bags before you go to the airport. This will help you avoid surprises when you check your bags at the gate.
- Purchase your baggage fees well in advance. This will save you a lot on the day of your flight.
As Spirit Airlines is an ultra-low-cost carrier, there is very little scope for offers and discounts. However, adhering to the policies is the best shot for saving your bucks. There are no hard and fast tips that can help you get amazing discounts but surely knowing the policy with details can help you save a lot.
Apart from that, Spirit is very affordable, and also good for short-distance travel. And this airline is well-connected domestically in the United States.
