Nov 9th, 2012 at 1:00PM: Given the ever increasing, uh, size of air passengers (not least American air travelers), airlines are cracking down on passengers who may just rather roll up their armrests and encroach a little on the space of other passengers next to them.
The ongoing debate has been around whether larger passengers are, and should be, required to buy extra seats for themselves, and the jury is coming back ...Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
SpiritAirlines posts
How To Fly If You're A 'Customer Of Size'
Nov 9th, 2012 at 1:00PM: Given the ever increasing, uh, size of air passengers (not least American air travelers), airlines are cracking down on passengers who may just rather roll up their armrests and encroach a little on the space of other passengers next to them.
The ongoing debate has been around whether larger passengers are, and should be, required to buy extra seats for themselves, and the jury is coming back ...Man Kicked Off Budget Airline For Wearing Baggy Pants
Aug 5th, 2012 at 4:00PM: In recent airline news, a man was kicked off a Spirit Airlines' flight for wearing baggy pants with the top of his underwear showing.
According to the Daily Mail, a flight attendant asked the passenger to pull up his pants, but he refused.
"It was to the point where his entire bottom was hanging out," said Spirit Airlines' spokeswoman Misty Pinson. "And that's not appropriate. We have a lot ...Airline Fees: You Get What You Pay For Or Weapons In Travel Class Warfare?
Jun 29th, 2012 at 1:00PM: Last month, the media was abuzz over increased airline fees for pre-assigned seating, with many concerned that it would especially affect families who want to sit together for no additional cost. Even New York Senator Chuck Schumer got involved, asking airlines to waive fees for families traveling with children. Rather than look for victims or call airlines "anti-family," however, look at the ...Spirit Airlines fed up, says government has hidden agenda
Feb 5th, 2012 at 12:00PM:
This week, Spirit Airlines, mad about new airline disclosure rules, started adding a $4 "unintended consequences of DOT regulations" fee to ticket prices. It's just the latest in a salvo of complaints by airlines over new fare disclosure rules they feel are unfair.
Spirit Airlines isn't happy with the new rule requiring airlines to include all taxes and mandatory fees in the quoted airfare ...Spirit Airlines goes public ... with dirty laundry
Jun 1st, 2011 at 11:00AM: Remember when Spirit Airlines talked about going public? The company felt the need to disclose customer service as a critical risk in its initial public offering documents. One would expect nothing less from the carrier that used flight attendant-turned nutjob-turned spokesman Steven Slater to sell seats. Well, Spirit hopped into the arena of public finance, raising $187.2 million in its initial ...Airlines have best quarter ever ... thanks baggage fees!
Dec 20th, 2010 at 3:30PM: Every time you pay to check an extra bag you're making someone's life better. The latest data from the U.S. Department of Transportation reveals that the third quarter of 2010 was the most profitable for the U.S. airline industry since the department began keeping score in 2002. The industry's operating profit margin hit 10.5 percent in aggregate. Low-cost carriers, as a class, had an operating ...Which airline made the most money on baggage fees?
Dec 13th, 2010 at 2:30PM: Last year, baggage fees were used by airlines to make up for lost fare revenue, as the recession kept people on the ground. This year, it's just been a great source of extra revenue, as passenger traffic and fares are up – and the fees haven't gone away. Almost all airlines are getting in on the action, some more egregious than others.
Well, data for the third quarter of 2010 is in, and ...Spirit Airlines discloses real consequences of poor customer service
Sep 24th, 2010 at 10:00AM: If you ever want the truth about anything, the smartest thing you can do is follow the money. Cash doesn't lie, regardless of the people who are wielding it. So, if you don't think airlines have any real risk because of poor customer service – that everyone just expects and lives with the worst – it pays to check out the recent Spirit Airlines financial filing.
Spirit is looking to ...Spirit Airlines uses Steven Slater to sell seats
Aug 16th, 2010 at 6:30PM: Irate JetBlue flight attendant Steven Slater has gone from controversial hero to marketing tool, thanks to a new campaign from JetBlue competitors Spirit Airlines. Their new promotion advises, "don't be blue, slide down to low fares with our $35 coupon."
This isn't he first time Spirit's done some cheeky advertising: In 2007 they held a "MILF" sale -- claiming the acronym stood for "Many ...Spirit Airlines starts charging up to $45 for carry-on baggage
Aug 1st, 2010 at 6:30PM:
Today is the day that Spirit Airlines implements its new pay-to-carry-on baggage rule. The change was announced back in April, and even a grilling by Congress has not been enough to make them change their mind.
What this means to Spirit passengers is simple - if you arrive at the airport with carry-on baggage, and you did not pre-pay, you'll be charged $45 for a single bag in the overhead ...Spirit Airlines to Congress: paying for overhead bins helps the poor
Jul 14th, 2010 at 5:00PM:
You just don't need to take your bags on vacation, said Spirit Airlines CEO, Ben Baldanza. He's told Congress that his airline, which brands itself as a "super-low-cost" carrier, actually makes it easier for the proletariat poor to take to the skies, even if it does require that they plop down $45 to stuff a carry-on into the overhead bin.
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New Spirit Airlines promo invites you to check out the "oil on our beaches"
Jun 23rd, 2010 at 4:30PM: The cheeky ad designers at Spirit Airlines are at it again - after their "Muff Diving", "DD" and "MILF" promotions, their newest stunt invites you to check out the "oil on our beaches".
In this case though, the oil does not show the BP spill, but scantily clad women covering themselves in "Best Protection SPF 50" sun tan lotion.
The promotion is actually not bad - and offers $50 off a ...Spirit Airlines strike continues - 600 flight attendants furloughed
Jun 15th, 2010 at 5:45PM: The two day strike at Spirit Airlines turned into a three day strike, and then into a five day strike. And with no end in sight, the airline just sent its 600 flight attendants some bad news - they are all furloughed.
The move means these staff members will be without a pay check until the 500 Spirit Airlines pilots reach an agreement on their new contract.
The pilots are currently talking ...Spirit Airlines grounded by pilot strike - UPDATED
Jun 13th, 2010 at 10:30AM: Spirit Airlines has found itself grounded this weekend, after contract negotiations with their pilots failed to result in an agreement.
The pilots have been negotiating for four years - and Spirit claims they have offered a 30% pay increase over the next five years, along with several other perks.
Sean Creed is the head of the Spirit Airlines pilot group within the union, and had the ...Spirit Airlines to abolish reclining seats
Apr 22nd, 2010 at 2:30PM: 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 ...
Spirit Airlines' fee for carry-on bags might be stupid, but it shouldn't be illegal
Apr 19th, 2010 at 9:00AM: Our recent survey of over 5,000 Gadling readers makes clear that a wide majority of travelers think Spirit Airlines' recently introduced fee for carry-on bags is a horrible idea. I can see their point. Passengers are already grumbling about having to pay extra for things like in-flight snacks, headphones, and checked bags-- which were all free just a few years ago-- and now Spirit introduces yet ...Major airlines commit to keeping carry-on luggage fee free - will not follow Spirit Airlines
Apr 18th, 2010 at 3:30PM: In a funny twist to the Spirit Airlines carry-on bag fee situation, Senator Charles Schumer has managed to get five major airlines to agree that they will not follow suit.
American, Delta, JetBlue, United and US Air have all confirmed that they will not go the route Spirit Airlines took, and that they will keep carry-on baggage free. The commitment comes as Senator Schumer works to talk Spirit ...Gadling readers have spoken - Spirit Airlines carry-on bag fee is a bad idea
Apr 17th, 2010 at 11:00AM:
Several days ago, we asked you for your opinion on the Spirit Airlines carry-on bag fee. As a quick refresher - the airline is planning to charge up to $45 for each carry-on bag that does not fit under the seat in front of you. This is in addition to their checked bag fee.
The whole plan has triggered a lot of responses, from both sides. Some people are (justifiably) annoyed that airlines ...Senator duo working to ban Spirit Airlines carry-on bag fees
Apr 14th, 2010 at 12:00PM:
The clip of Spirit CEO Ben Baldanza reporting from an overhead luggage bin suddenly makes sense - his plan to introduce carry-on bag fees has reached two senators, who are outraged over the proposal. So outraged in fact, that they are drafting legislation that will prohibit airlines from charging for bringing bags on board.
Senators Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA) have ...
Spirit Airlines CEO stuffs himself in an overhead bin to justify paid carry-on fees
Apr 13th, 2010 at 4:30PM:
Spirit Airlines president and CEO, Ben Baldanza took some time out of his busy schedule to try and calm the masses about their upcoming paid carry-on baggage fees.
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In his video clip, he claims passengers are annoyed by full overhead bins, and long lines to board the plane. He ...
