Spirit Becomes Next Airline to Overhaul Its Operations

Not even a week after Southwest announced a slew of overhauls to the way the airline operates—including scrapping its “signature” open-seating policy—Spirit Airlines says it is introducing four new offerings, including new premium selections. These moves come as part of a transformation to deliver “an even friendlier, more comfortable and cost-effective travel experience.”

What does this mean?

For the first time, Spirit will offer travelers the option to select a premium experience, complemented by three additional options ranging from economical to elevated. The four new travel options include Go Big, Go Comfy, Go Savvy and Go. All four options include the flexibility of no change or cancel fees.

Go Big includes a “Big Front Seat,” snacks and drinks (including alcoholic beverages), one carry-on bag, one checked bag, priority check-in and boarding, and streaming access through the fastest Wi-Fi of any U.S.-based airline, according to the company. The “Big Front Seat” offers wider seats, extra legroom, additional seat cushioning and no middle seat.

Go Comfy is a brand-new seating option that offers increased comfort and space with a guaranteed blocked middle seat, one carry-on bag, one checked bag, priority boarding, and a snack and non-alcoholic beverage.

Alternatively, Go Savvy provides the choice of either one carry-on bag or one checked bag and standard seat selection during booking. Lastly, Go is the best option for travelers who want the flexibility to purchase any of the following options: checked bags, standard seat selection, Wi-Fi, and snacks and beverages.

With these new seating configurations, Spirit will also debut a priority check-in experience on August 27 for guests who opt to Go Big or are Free Spirit Gold members or Free Spirit World Elite Mastercard holders. Initially, this will be available at more than 20 airports including Atlanta, Cancun, Dallas-Fort Worth, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Newark, New York-LaGuardia and Orlando. This dedicated lane will provide front-of-the-line access to the first available ticket counter agent.

Similarly, guests can expect a new boarding process. The redesigned process will include five groups that aim to reduce boarding time and enhance operational performance. Priority boarding will be available for those who choose the Go Big and Go Comfy options, Free Spirit Gold and Silver members, Free Spirit World Elite Mastercard holders and active-duty U.S. service members, and their spouses and children when traveling with the service member.

Spirit will begin offering the new travel options for booking on August 16 and launch the newly transformed guest experience by August 27.

Related Stories

JetBlue, Spirit Terminate Merger Agreement

JetBlue Adds More Seats in New England, New York This Winter

Sabre Is First GDS to Offer NDC Content from Hawaiian Airlines

Delta, Riyadh Air Ink Deal For Expansion