SpiritAirlines posts
by Chris Owen (RSS feed) (7 days ago)
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 ...
by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) (8 months ago)
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 ...
by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) (1 year ago)
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 ...
by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) (1 year ago)
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 ...
by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) (1 year ago)
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 ...
by Julie Gerstein (RSS feed) (1 year ago)
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 ...
by Scott Carmichael (RSS feed) (1 year ago)
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 ...
by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) (1 year ago)
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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by Scott Carmichael (RSS feed) (1 year ago)
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 ...
by Scott Carmichael (RSS feed) (1 year ago)
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 ...
by Scott Carmichael (RSS feed) (1 year ago)
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 ...
by Grant Martin (RSS feed) (1 year ago)
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 ...
by Aaron Hotfelder (RSS feed) (1 year ago)
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 ...
by Scott Carmichael (RSS feed) (1 year ago)
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 ...
by Scott Carmichael (RSS feed) (1 year ago)
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 ...
by Scott Carmichael (RSS feed) (1 year ago)
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 ...
by Scott Carmichael (RSS feed) (1 year ago)
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.
digg_url = 'http://www.gadling.com/2010/04/13/spirit-airlines-ceo-stuffs-himself-in-an-overhead-bin-to-justify/';
In his video clip, he claims passengers are annoyed by full overhead bins, and long lines to board the plane. He ...
by Grant Martin (RSS feed) (1 year ago)
Apr 6th, 2010 at 1:38PM: 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 ...
by Scott Carmichael (RSS feed) (1 year ago)
Mar 28th, 2010 at 12:00PM: We don't always cover frequent flier promotions or airline credit card bonus perks - but when we run into generous ones, we'll always try to share the news.
The newest promo from Spirit Airlines rewards you with three free roundtrip tickets, just for signing up and making one purchase on their card.
Of course, the promotion isn't as impressive as the recent 100,000 mile bonus British Airways ...
by Scott Carmichael (RSS feed) (2 years ago)
Feb 3rd, 2010 at 8:30AM: Ah, Spirit Airlines - the airline equivalent of a Beavis and Butthead episode.
After annoying their own staff with their "MILF" promotion back in 2007, the marketing minds at this low cost carrier have decided to ignore all the previous criticism, and launched yet another raunchy promo.
Dubbed "MUFF DIVING", the promo promises "Many Unbelievably Fantastic Fares to Diving Destinations". Yeah, ...
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