traveling with toddler on Spirit?

[Anonymous]

Hi there - we're looking at flights to west palm beach or FLL for an upcoming weekend and the cheapest option by far is spirit airlines. I know the fare includes nothing but the flight, they advertise that they cram in the seats (which you can't choose without a fee) so I'm a little nervous to book with them. But, even accounting for the bag fees it's like $150 less than the next cheapest option (American, and that's not accounting for their checked bag fees if we end up checking bags). I guess I have two questions. Anyone have experiences with Spirit they care to share? Would you travel with a lap infant (who is actually a 1.5 year old toddler) on Spirit? (If you're going to respond and say that you would never travel with your 1.5 year old in the lap on any airline, please don't). By my calculations we could buy DD her own seat on Spirit for about the same price as flying American. We've flown with her in our laps many times, including a recent overseas trip, and she does well, but I guess I'd be interested in hearing what you'd do in this situation. Many thanks!

[Anonymous]

Do some searches on reviews for Spirit. They are known for horrendous customer service, are not good at keeping to schedules and are all around not good. Of the people I've known who have tried to fly with them it was a one and done type of experience and they wouldn't do it again.

[Anonymous]

I don't see how you can travel with an infant on your lap on Spirit, there isn't enough space. Even if you pay for extra space, I don't think there is enough. At the very least you would be very uncomfortable.

I wouldn't do it. The seats are already uncomfortable for one person.

Flights to Florida are pretty cheap - if bought in advance. I have family there and I rarely pay more than $300 round trip, usually around $220.

When are you trying to go?

[Anonymous]

Worst airline EVER!! Don't do it.

[Anonymous]

I've flown them often just because my parents live there and it's the best times and cheapest. The seats aren't really any smaller than United or Delta. Lap baby should be fine. 99% of my spirit flights are fine. They treat you like shit, but so does United.

I stopped flying spirit when they moved to BWI though.

[Anonymous]

It is a bad airline. If something goes wrong you can end up badly screwed - long delays, canceled flights etc. that said, it will be fine 80% of the time. I would pay about $100 a ticket more to avoid them.

[Anonymous]

Just don't fly Spirit. We're poor and still pay hundreds of dollars more to fly an actual airline.

[Anonymous]

Spirit will FREQUENTLY cancel your flight and not get you a timely replacement. As in, 4 times out of the 10 legs I have booked with Spirit (or had a stubborn husband or nanny book against my warnings) I ended up having to buy new Southwest tickets at the airport. It's not worth $150 to assume the very high risk they'll cancel and put you on a flight 36 hours later.

And they don't pay for hotels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is a bad airline. If something goes wrong you can end up badly screwed - long delays, canceled flights etc. that said, it will be fine 80% of the time. I would pay about $100 a ticket more to avoid them.

Their on time rate is only 50%

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2015/08/spirit-airlines-does-poorly-on-on-time-performance-rate-of-complaints.html/

[Anonymous]

#breakyourSpirit

[Anonymous]

We fly them often because they're 1/3 the cost to Ft. Lauderdale of the other carriers. And my dog is only $75 instead of $150 like on other planes. Yes you do feel like chattel, but it's only for about 2 hours. And I can stick anything out for 2 hours. I only do the direct flights and haven't had an issue with planes not coming. Sure they might get delayed, but you do make it there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We fly them often because they're 1/3 the cost to Ft. Lauderdale of the other carriers. And my dog is only $75 instead of $150 like on other planes. Yes you do feel like chattel, but it's only for about 2 hours. And I can stick anything out for 2 hours. I only do the direct flights and haven't had an issue with planes not coming. Sure they might get delayed, but you do make it there.

LOL, yes, you can survive anything for two hours if you actually get in the air.

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/Spirit-Airlines-Delays-Leave-Dozens-of-Passengers-Stranded-at-Fort-Lauderdale-Hollywood-International-Airport-229067551.html

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/usworld/spirit-airlines-strike-strands-passengers/article_b7d50bbc-761b-5270-b18c-a4ab4ab249f7.html

http://www.news3lv.com/content/news/story/Hundreds-of-passengers-stranded-by-Spirit-Airlines/9_Fhs_jzx0Sl055J6LGvoA.cspx

http://www.kctv5.com/story/29158502/spirit-airlines-passengers-stuck-at-kci-for-up-to-2-days

[Anonymous]

I have never flow them and usually try to fly Southwest with kids as they allow luggage, PNP, Strollers and car seats.

[Anonymous]

whatever you do, don't fly Spirit.

Horrible customer service, delayed flights without providing a reason, horrible planes, very uncomfortable.

I have flown them once, and that was without children, I and I will never fly them again, not even on my own.

Look into Southwest, you might not have seen their fares on other search engines because they sell directly to customer and not through websites like expedia.

good luck!

[Anonymous]

the problem isn't shoddy customer service, the problem is a failure to get you to your destination on the day your ticket said you're supposed to