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BREAKING: Spirit Airlines to charge up to $45 fee for carry-on bags
There's big news in the airline industry today, as Spirit Airlines announced the addition of carry-on baggage fees to their already healthy roster of post-ticketing charges.For those paying online, each carry on bag will cost an additional $30 unless you're in Spirit's subscription-based $9 Fare Club. Those lucky members will only be charged $20 per bag. If paying for the service in-person at the airport, the fee jumps to $45 per bag. Personal items such as purses or briefcases will continue to be free as long as they fit underneath the seat.
Although Spirit Airlines is the first carrier to initiate such a fee, there's broad speculation among the travel community on whether it will be picked up by other carriers -- checked baggage fees, paid snacks and seat selection, after all, have all been nearly universally adopted over the last three years. Perhaps this is the beginning of the end of free carry-on luggage industry wide.
On the bright side, however, there should be plenty more overhead bin space after August 1.
New baggage fees will go into effect on August 1st. You can check out more details and see whether your bag qualifies as a "carry-on" or a "personal item" over at spiritair.com.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
Jeff Apr 6th 2010 5:12PM
I wonder if we will all finally start voting our dollars and stop flying airlines that don't give a damn about the customer or customer service?
ozspike Apr 7th 2010 9:39PM
Thank you. You said it all brother!!
Janice Apr 7th 2010 8:55AM
ABSOLUTELY! If my drive is 8 hours or less, I will not fly. Why the hell would anybody fly except the business traveler who goes out in the morning and comes back in the evening? And, airlines, just how many of those are there? Enough to keep you in business? I DOUBT IT!
Tom Apr 7th 2010 9:04AM
It's a crap airline with even worst marketing executives.
INKLING Apr 7th 2010 9:22AM
Have you even considered that the extra fee is being used as a deterrent to those that think roll-on bags are carry-on bags? It is to the point of ridiculous. When a carry-on/roll-on bag weighs as much as a small child, they should have to purchase a seat for it! Honestly, if you have to roll your carry-on bag because it is too heavy to carry through the airport, then it has no business being in an overhead bin. The airlines need to place further restrictions on carry-on bags. They should only be carry-on, not roll-on. they shouldn't weigh any more than 15 pounds, (enough to carry a couple of baby bottles, baby food, some medications, some wipes, diapers, and a light change of clothes for a small child). When you equate that to the business world, a briefcase AND a small carry-on bag should be allowed, but the two combined should weigh no more than 15 pounds. Common sense is the rule. People are cramming as much as they can in roll-on bags so they can avoid the check-in baggage fees. When they implemented the check-in baggage fees they should've also changed the rules that apply to carry-on bags. I'm not saying roll-on bags shouldn't be allowed, but smaller weight restriction should be enforced on all of them. Fifteen pounds should be the max.
YVETTE Apr 7th 2010 10:20AM
That is such BS ! Here is a novel idea instead..... Why don't they start charging for children under the age of two to fly just like everyone else that gets on the plane.... including my 4 lb. dog who pays $150 or more for a round trip ticket.... and is forced to sit UNDER the seat in his carrier.....If we pay for our pet to fly then they should have a seat to sit in as well...and not be stuck under a seat......why should children be able to fly for FREE??? That is absurd !.....and why should we have to pay for a carry on bag ?? Next they'll be charging us for wearing an coat or extra garments in cold weather. Unbelievable....
Killer Apr 7th 2010 11:51AM
Typical AOL story. NO REAL FACTS! This airline will charge you $45.00 if the bag that you TRY to bring on the plane does not fit or is in excess of the one you are allowed to bring on. Those clowns who roll two bags down the aisle and try to avoid the $30.00 fee shoule be penalized at the gate. If they check it out front it costs them $30.00.... at the gate $45.00.
I AM ALL FOR THIS ONE!
Phoff Apr 7th 2010 12:27PM
Airlines should have been charging for carry-ons a long time ago. People coming on with so much "carry-on" that you can't find a place for your overcoat in the overhead. Sitting in your seat with your life being threatened by fools trying to lift 40 pounds of whatever over your head.
Ken Apr 7th 2010 2:00PM
I agree. A nice boycott of Spirit would send a great message.
Junita Apr 7th 2010 2:48PM
This is just going to hurt Mariners, people who make their lives on the sea, because they have to fly out to their jobs. I never have carry on less than 25lbs but it always fits in a back pack, you need a full set of clothes and work clothes and your papers in your bag. I think it is pathetic that there are people who think 15lbs is more than enough. Try going from NE to Saipan to work for 2 months and having little more than the clothes on your back for days, because the airline lost your luggage (which reasonably is only going to be 1 duffle bag to live out of for months because those fees are rediculous too.
Matt Apr 7th 2010 5:56PM
Right on Jeff. Its time we all voted with our wallets. With regard to the Inkling post (below this one) I think they miss the point...the problem is not that some pack enough for a small army to put in the overhead bins. It is the result of having to pay for checked luggage which should not have occured to begin with. When the airlines were charging far less than they get now for a ticket, and when gas was far more prohibative than now perhaps that was justified. Now it is just plain old price gouging. Hopefully this practice by Spirit Air will not be adopted widely....at some point the customer has to collectively say "Enough !"
Mark Apr 6th 2010 8:57PM
I am 100% OK with this and hope every airline follows suit. Now I won't get yelled at by someone trying to stuff their giant carry-on in when I checked mine in and put my backpack in the overhead to get some leg room. Although what airlines really need to do is just raise ticket prices across the board. Service would improve and people would be less angry by getting hit by somewhat hidden fees.
Sandy Apr 7th 2010 8:10AM
I can't believe you are okay with this! First off, a fee for checked bags was not that bad due to the fact it was handled by the employees of the airline (loading and unloading) and some bags can be pretty heavy. However, to have a fee imposed on a bag that only you carry on the plane, you put in the overhead bin, you get it out of the bin and off the plane, GIVE ME A BREAK! It is just another way for the greedy to get more money, the airline rates have become fair but at one time it was to high so instead of raising the rate higher here we go with more fees.
Johnnie Apr 7th 2010 2:59PM
It is time to spend vacations closer to home and leave the flying for those that have to do it to earn a living!! Ridiculous, you want more money for the ticket? Then price it out and stop all the nonsense and the annoying 'nickel and diming" us to death!! Checked baggage fees? Oh ...led people to try and just take a carry on. Charging for carry on? Wear all your clothes for the week when you walk on the plane and buy your toiletries when you get there. Problem solved!
don Apr 7th 2010 6:59AM
They should double all the air fares and get the low lifes off the planes and back on Greyhound where they belong. Then we will have clean people in clean clothes like it was in years past. Also ban kids from first class which was how it was until about 10 years ago.
Abby Apr 7th 2010 7:41AM
Don you made this same comment on the article by Jordon Simon today regarding ten rules the airlines should adopt. When I flew with my parents and when I had a child of my own we were never denied flying first class. I guess that would make my family part of the "low lifes" who should be banished back to Greyhound buses. Perhaps we should stop pretending to be part of the elitist group you belong to?
ken mitchell Apr 7th 2010 1:35PM
hey don while we're at it why don't we ban women from voting,put gays back in the closet, & exclude blacks from golf courses like the good ole days. You know keep the non republican riff-raff where they belong on the bottom rung of societies ladder. You sound like ignorant, out of tough, self absorbed piece of crap.
Jim Apr 7th 2010 6:52AM
Im guessing that Spirit is trying to force themselves into bankruptcy. This is one of the dumbest ideas Ive heard the airlines do, the first was charging to check your bags. Can you imagine going out to dinner, ordering your meal then being charged to use silverware? so all of these business travelers that bring laptops will now have to pay $45, and what constitutes a carry on? is just bags that go in the overhead bin? or is it anything that you carry on? Dont think this will last. You would think that an airline that struggles, would do things to encourage passengers to fly it, not discourage it. Oh well good luck in bankruptcy
Debby Apr 7th 2010 8:05AM
I thought the same thing, they are trying to force themselves out of business. I don't fly wtih them anymore. The first time I had to pay the extra fee for a seat did it for me. I looked for the option, no thanks I'll stand. At the time I thought purchasing a ticket meant in included a seat. Since they are going to charge this fee wouldn't it be better if they just up'd the rate and we felt as if we were getting free luggage fee. Just stupid. I remember when you bought a ticket, they were happy to see you and they served you a meal. Now... they act as if they are doing you a favor (which they are, faster then the greyhound)
Al Apr 7th 2010 1:22PM
This is a joke. The reason given was that it takes too long to deplane after gate arrival. Boy this will really speed things up. Spirit Airlines is certainly not helping their business. This is just another way to screw the customer. When will it stop??? The airline industry is just as greedy as the rest of this country. Count me as one who will NEVER fly Spirit.