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Spirit Airlines to abolish reclining seats
It looks like the "recline or don't recline" issue can finally be put to bed. Spirit Airlines, the budget carrier famous for charging for overhead bin space, racy ad campaigns and general disdain for all passenger comforts has just started rolling out aircraft bereft of reclining seats.
Citing extra space and lower weight, the airline claims that this will help passengers save money by keeping prices low. But in reality, it's just another stunt to cram as many passengers as possible into the already crowded, fee-riddled aircraft. The Sun Sentinel has more details on the upcoming plan below.
Citing extra space and lower weight, the airline claims that this will help passengers save money by keeping prices low. But in reality, it's just another stunt to cram as many passengers as possible into the already crowded, fee-riddled aircraft. The Sun Sentinel has more details on the upcoming plan below.
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 8)
Ed Apr 23rd 2010 12:40AM
My last comment, obviously flying often, Fat People on planes bother me, smelly people, people that put their seats back, people that have to use the bathroom so often and clog the isles, the silly snack programs.
I loved that movie with George Cloony, I could relate to his flying techniques. I also wear loafers and know how to get through the security line quickly (of course once in a while you get stuck behind a slow fatty. I pack accordingly. I have the perfect sized carry on (and I don't mind to check it to save $40 on spirit), my computer bag. I usually bring my own refreshment and if I'm flying through lunch or dinner, I bring my own sandwich. I know how to have a very smooth flight.
I think airlines need to address passenger rights.
* no recling seats in cattle class. Go to 1st if you want that.
* charge for bathrooms flights 3 hours or less. Or go to 1st class.
* no snacks in cattle class, go to 1st class if you want that.
I could go on and on. Perhaps, take all the frills out on short 3 hour or less flights and have a section designated for those that want to pay for an all inclusive perk seat package (if 1st class is not available). I'll bet if they did something like that, those seats would be empty.
So, no more comments from me, I fly often enough that I wish I only had the budget of Tony so I could fly 1st class, but I don't. I only fly every 2nd or 3rd week from Florida to NY and I'm sticking with the airline I can get an assigned seat, sorry Mark, I don't want to feel like a cow again on Southwest. jetblue and so many others do offer a great program and I think Spirit is being bold.
Airlines have to start making money or none of us will fly for so minimal of fares. I consider the short flights these days like driving in a school bus, they are all packed in like sardines and there is no class to flying anymore.
The subject does hit a nerve with me as you all can see.
Joe Apr 23rd 2010 1:02AM
May your next flight be the 'San Juan Express' (red-eye) from LAX! May you get the center seat between 2 hefty ladies going home to San Juan that want to talk to each other during the entire flight! Shame on you for being 'racist' against "non-beautiful people"! Go back to your 'dream home' in a WASP community and stay there! Too bad you don't have the courage to say your comments to someone's face; you have to hide out and make your asinine remarks in a forum like this!
Jay Apr 22nd 2010 3:33PM
BYE-BYE Spirit......I will not fly this airline anymore FEE FEE FEE..Bye-Bye
OGD Apr 22nd 2010 3:49PM
It's funny to me how many punk a** corporate 9-5 men/women who don't fly frequently on their OWN dime (9-5ers on the companies dime=imitators) talk all this trash. You corporate puppets need a wake up call. I am a young man who has been a frequent flyer for over 8 yrs and love to recline, eat, and all that. Oh and guess what? I'm 6-2 225 and ripped, and far from fat you biased little drones.
You all remind me of the fake little road rage drivers who talk all this sh** and then when you get stuck at a red light with me you roll up your windows and lock your doors and look the other way...lol.
BB88, I would love to sit in front of you and RECLINE and share your lunch with you...next I would LOVE for you to hit the tray table up and down up and down so I can make you EAT the tray table.
Recline, eat, bring big bags, who the hell cares, those passengers spent their own money and have their own rights.
PS - As the one gentleman said, man up and fly first like the big boys do. OH, I forgot you all are 9-5ers spending someone elses money don't have the ability to come up front with us....lol.
PPS - Stop serving people, go buy a meal yourself.
Come to grips with reality pencil necks.
leon Apr 22nd 2010 3:39PM
Spirit Airlines to abolish reclining seats - Great News. Now if they would just fly at a lower altitude and open the windows. That would be awesome. lol
(I don't fly much, can't afford to go galavanting around the country or world, but I would love to fly in open window planes like the ole B-17 Bomber).
Becky Apr 23rd 2010 9:06AM
Noooo, I have to agree with Ed. I have no problem with seats that recline an inch or two, but those that recline back almost a foot have got to go. I remember being stuck on a cross-Atlantic flight to London with some of the rowdiest, rudest, drunkest Brits I could possibly have been stuck behind. Every one of them reclined completed, drank, hooped and hollared MOST OF THE NIGHT. I literally could not get out of my seat and get past the next passenger in order to get to the aisle and head for the ladies room. It was the most miserable flight and I remember it almost 15 years later. PLEASE do away with those reclining seats!! And no, I can't afford first class because I'm not SPECIAL like you guys.
Gil Apr 22nd 2010 3:46PM
I fly over 50,000 miles a year, and I will not fly Spirit or Southworst. Come on, folks! Price is not the only consideration when buying something... that's why things like Customer Service and Product Quality have taken a nose-dive. I'd rather pay a little bit more and get treated like a valued customer than just another cheap jerk to be taken advantage of!
gg Apr 22nd 2010 3:58PM
I would like airlines offer adult only flights. Can't stand noisy kids & screaming babies.
Lauren Apr 22nd 2010 3:58PM
Just flew Detroit to LA and back...I never put my seat back, because I know how I hate when the person in front of me reclines the second they sit down. And yes... I had a big, tall man in front of me. He reclined (and he had the exit row so he already had more room than anyone!) immediately, put his tray down and put his leg on it! Then he had his big fat hands on top of his dirty hair and kept scratching his head. Thank you for that crap in my drink! EWWWWW! Did I mention he had his hands up, and he had BO my daughter and I were gagging on.
So thank you Spirit for losing the reclining seats. I have never used them and I never will.
Clark Apr 22nd 2010 4:16PM
Flying a lot and flying excursion class are not mutually exclusive. I am retired and live in two countries, I fly a lot in both (and others), am 6'3" tall and I pay for my own tickets. Reclining seats are a complete nuisance to me as my knees are already locked into the back of the seat in front of me before anyone tries to recline their seat. I always check out the plane ahead of time and, with online check-in, try to get either a bulkhead or exit row seat but that is not always possible (you generally can't select those seats online). I have seen several fights on airlines in my many years of travel and all but one started over somebody slamming back their seat with no regard for the person behind them. I say dump the snacks on shorter flights (although I do like Continental's new snack pack), axe reclining seats in excursion and business and make anyone who can't fit their bulk into a single seat width up-grade to a roomier section of the plane. I pay for my entire seat and I don't care to share it with a stranger who can't fit into their seat.
Jennifer Apr 22nd 2010 4:16PM
I like to fly and the only airlines I will fly now is Southwest.. Yeah might be crowed and all but at least I don't have to pay for extras like baggage as carry on or otherwise. Spirit airlines pretty much just priced themselves out of business and anyone that is stupid enough to fly Spirit deserves to have their heads examined. As far as the recline don't recline business come on.. anyone that has flown knows that when you recline your seat you are lucky if it goes back 2 to 3 inches... give me a break. Now if there is anything to complain about is the unruly drunks or noisy crying kids. seat kicking up running around because they can't sit still now that is a legitimate complaint.
OGD Apr 22nd 2010 4:16PM
Wow, this is interesting. Coach flyers acting like pre-madonnas on discount crappy airlines....HAHA!
The irony.
DODA Apr 22nd 2010 4:17PM
Screw Spirit and the rest of the Airlines. We have decided that if you can't get there by car or boat then we will not be traveling. Since Fortress America has adoptedo Nazi search tactics and the airlines have decided to bleed every penny out of the people who keep them in business we will not contribute to their profitability any more.
slam Apr 22nd 2010 5:05PM
Are they trying to run themselves out of business??
AVL14 Apr 22nd 2010 4:34PM
THE WHOLE PLANE SHOULD BE LIKE FIRST CLASS, LESS SEAT PAY A LITTLE MORE.
Ed Apr 22nd 2010 4:37PM
FINALLY! I've been waiting for some airline to finally figure out that reclining seats are NOT NEEDED on domestic US flights. This is BRILLIANT Spirit Airlines! I pray that the rest of the pack smartens up quick. This will make flying SO MUCH more comfortable. Can't wait to try Spirit on my next flight.
If you really need to push back into the person sitting behind you, go grab a bus - Greyhound is Going Your Way!
Darryl Apr 22nd 2010 6:27PM
If I had been previously tempted to fly Spirit, the ruling on no reclining seats would have sealed my inattention. I fly frequently, too. In my experience, the seats in coach class don't recline nearly enough to be considered having one's head in another's lap. There is a larger consideratioin of proper blood circulation. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when blood pools in the legs, leading to clotting. This is exacerbated by dehydration (and, we all know that you aren't allowed to bring water on board unless you purchase it at an inflated price from an airport vendor inside the terminal). I predict an increase in the number of DVT cases for Spirit fliers who aren't accommodated for the minimal comfort of a reclining seat. The airline might as well charge for bathrooms and doggy bags while you're at it. I'll never fly with them.
Lila Apr 22nd 2010 4:45PM
If there is anything worse than not finding space for my small carry-on, it's having bozo in front of me laying in my lap via the reclining seat. I sit upright so as not to disturb anyone and it is not difficult. I do hope the other airlines follow suit.
M Schacter Apr 23rd 2010 11:39AM
Thank you Spirit. I hope the reclining seat goes the way of the smoking section. Both were designed to accomodate inconsiderate people. Do I fly alot? Different location almost every week. Been doing this for 34 years. I think I qualify as an authority.
My boss requires an extensive report on every client. Ever try to type on a laptop when the inconsiderate rookie flyer in front of you insists on reclining...ALL THE WAY? Lotsa luck.
Michael gifford Apr 22nd 2010 4:53PM
well, since the comments are all over the map, it would appear that the market will determine the idiocy or value of the strategy. for those who don't like recliners and feel like it's okay to pay for carryon luggage, they'll fly spirit. for those who like to recline and hate the notion of paying for carryon then they'll fly almost anyone else..
what I'm most curious about is what makes southwest the comparison to spirit...there are lots of low cost airlines southwest being only one...