Average one-way Spirit Air customer: only 56% of what is paid is for airfare

[kranky]

Just read this story today: Spirit said its average one-way traveler pays about $68 in fare and $54 in fees. The gist of the story was that Americans should expect to see wide expansion of these super-budget airlines, given that European travelers use them about 33% of the time compared to only 6% of US flyers. Frontier, Spirit and Allegiant are buying lots of planes.

It seems many European travelers will put up with tiny leg room, no amenities and punishing fees (Ryan Air charges $50 if you forget to check in at home) in order to get a cheap flight.

If the major airlines can't compete on cost, I wonder if they will start to move in the other direction and enhance the experience instead of having flights that are nearly as miserable as Spirit but 40% more expensive.

 

[Exterous]

If the major airlines can't compete on cost, I wonder if they will start to move in the other direction and enhance the experience instead of having flights that are nearly as miserable as Spirit but 40% more expensive.

Unfortunately there is a lot of data that shows experience doesn't matter nearly as much as cost. The major airlines have access to this same data so they are lowering their (already low) service standards. Delta already Operates "Basic' fares on routes Spirit flies that don't allow seat assignments, you board last (good luck with that overhead space) etc. Rumors are that United will be following a similar route with seat assignments for a new fare class being given at the gate along with boarding last, no chance for upgrades etc

And having flown the LCCs in Europe and in the US the LCCs in Europe are much appealing. I'll fly Easyjet or Ryan air but I still avoid Spirit like the plague. We'll see how Tiger air goes

 

[PricklyPete]

The flights in Europe tend to be much shorter. I flew spirit from Denver to Ft. Lauderdale, FL... never again.

 

[Homerboy]

Flying is so shitty and so expensive now my family just doesn't do it.

Heading to South Carolina in the summer -- we'll just drive the 14hrs. I'm not paying $1000+ for a family of 4 to go through that. Return of the family road trip!

 

[manlymatt83]

Flying is so shitty and so expensive now my family just doesn't do it.

Heading to South Carolina in the summer -- we'll just drive the 14hrs. I'm not paying $1000+ for a family of 4 to go through that. Return of the family road trip!

Private Pilot License! Oh wait, that stuff is way more expensive now too

 

[EOM]

Government fees are increasing....

http://consumertraveler.com/columns...s-in-government-fees-and-taxes-on-air-travel/

 

[JulesMaximus]

The flights in Europe tend to be much shorter. I flew spirit from Denver to Ft. Lauderdale, FL... never again.

:thumbsup: This.

I'd rather be comfortable on a 5 hour flight than save a couple bucks.

 

[MustISO]

I look forward to the day when I don't have to fly to see family. I keep it to maybe once or twice a year but it's a pain to travel not to mention how expensive it can be.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

My biggest problem with spirit is that they charge for Carry on's as well (If i recall correctly). I can cram all my shit into a Carry-on instead of a full suitcase and check it, but I can't go without a suitcase of some sort.

I travel for business often, and I have a briefcase for my work gear, and a suitcase for my clothes (Change of clothes, 2nd pair of shoes, possible workout clothes as well). It's ridiculous to charge people for both types of bags.

Personally, I think you should be allowed to check at least 1 bag for free on every flight. I say that because I NEVER check bags. I loathe and detest having to wait 30 minutes after each flight for them to bring them out. But it sure would help with the overcramped in-cabin storage issues....

 

[Midwayman]

I actually kinda like spirit. The upgrade to first class seats is only like $35... Great when everything works out. The downside is if you can't be bothered to read the fee schedule or there is a weather/aircraft delay. Things get hairy quick.

 

[Midwayman]

My biggest problem with spirit is that they charge for Carry on's as well (If i recall correctly).

Well, a rollaboard. You can still bring a backpack, laptop, etc free. Its one of my favorite things since airlines started charging for checked bags. A lot of people seem to just check the bag like they should in the first place if they have to pay for their oversized overstuffed roll aboard to go on the plane. A lot less fighting over space and quicker to get on and off. They should all make the first checked bag free and charge for rollaboards.

 

[MarkXIX]

Well, a rollaboard. You can still bring a backpack, laptop, etc free. Its one of my favorite things since airlines started charging for checked bags. A lot of people seem to just check the bag like they should in the first place if they have to pay for their oversized overstuffed roll aboard to go on the plane. A lot less fighting over space and quicker to get on and off. They should all make the first checked bag free and charge for rollaboards.

I support this. One of the most infuriating things for me is the boarding process and watching the lazy and incompetent confuse themselves with seat assignments and stuffing their big, stupid bags in overhead bins. Then they want to get all indignant when their shit doesn't fit and/or keep shoving it until it does, fucking up other people's stuff in the process.

 

[jlee]

I support this. One of the most infuriating things for me is the boarding process and watching the lazy and incompetent confuse themselves with seat assignments and stuffing their big, stupid bags in overhead bins. Then they want to get all indignant when their shit doesn't fit and/or keep shoving it until it does, fucking up other people's stuff in the process.

yuuuuuup.

 

[Banana]

Does Spirit go out of business if all of its passengers pay the fare-only price and plays the game correctly, avoiding all the optional fees?

 

[EOM]

I support this. One of the most infuriating things for me is the boarding process and watching the lazy and incompetent confuse themselves with seat assignments and stuffing their big, stupid bags in overhead bins. Then they want to get all indignant when their shit doesn't fit and/or keep shoving it until it does, fucking up other people's stuff in the process.

I fly. Quite a bit. On Southwest, the people who fly the most, the a-listers are the ones who seem to be very confused all the time. in order to get on a-list you have to have a decent amount of flights, so it's surely not your first time on an airplane. They also get on the plane first, and put all their personal stuff in the overheads. i've often seen several people have to check roller bags in the end because selfish people don't use the space at their feet. Maybe I'm just captain courteous.... i always use the space at my feet even if i have only my backpack and a jacket. Then again i also tend to give up my aisle seat to squeeze into a center if there's a family trying to sit together and there's only centers left....

 

[videogames101]

Flying is already shitty enough, I'll pay extra.

 

[Exterous]

I support this. One of the most infuriating things for me is the boarding process and watching the lazy and incompetent confuse themselves with seat assignments and stuffing their big, stupid bags in overhead bins. Then they want to get all indignant when their shit doesn't fit and/or keep shoving it until it does, fucking up other people's stuff in the process.

Until I can trust that the airline will handle my bags with care, not steal from them and get them to the correct destination then I don't support paying for carryons.

 

[cubby1223]

The weird thing is, the budget airlines have the greatest profit margins. Think about that. Their fares are typically half the price of United, and they have a greater profit margin.

There isn't twice as many people on board a Spirit flight compared to United. So what's the deal? Is it the union labor United has to pay? Why are they often near the break-even mark despite charging flyers twice as much? I've flown a few Allegiant flights, Chicago to Las Vegas. First time they were great, second time was a brand new plane with those weird ergonomic shaped seats with headrests that jut out at you, very uncomfortable. When I flew Spirit this past summer, no complaints at all about the comfort, Chicago to Denver.

Only advantage the major airlines have is if a flight is delayed or cancelled you can be rebooked quickly. But that alone does not justify twice the expense. So, that's the question, why are the big guys so dang expensive to book flights while the little guys are raking in the profit margins?

As for the nickel & diming they do, who seriously cares? Like, yes, you pay for carry-on luggage. So when you search for flights, you take the base fare plus the carry-on fee, and compare that to the alternatives. It's not complicated.

 

[cubby1223]

Until I can trust that the airline will handle my bags with care, not steal from them and get them to the correct destination then I don't support paying for carryons.

Except... you do pay for carry-ons regardless of carrier. It's just built into the base price of the fare, rather than itemized out.

 

[cubby1223]

Does Spirit go out of business if all of its passengers pay the fare-only price and plays the game correctly, avoiding all the optional fees?

No. You do realize Spirit has the ability to adjust price levels of future flights, right?

 

[Phoenix86]

Flying is so shitty and so expensive now my family just doesn't do it.

Heading to South Carolina in the summer -- we'll just drive the 14hrs. I'm not paying $1000+ for a family of 4 to go through that. Return of the family road trip!

Woohoo for $1.90/gal gas!

 

[Genx87]

Ill go cheap on short haul flights. If I am stuck on a 4-5 hour flight will stay away from Spirit.

 

[cubby1223]

If anyone wonders why Europeans travel low-cost airlines more, here's one example why it's not always good to choose the expensive guys:

https://www.yahoo.com/travel/lufthansa-cabin-crew-strike-affects-113000-150930755.html

 

[rudder]

Woohoo for $1.90/gal gas!

And airlines are not sharing the oil crash wealth. So far cheap fuel has not translated into cheaper tickets.

 

[Jeff7]

I've flown US Airways and Spirit.

I don't think there was much difference, except with Spirit there was plenty of room for my carryon thanks to their itemized "extras" business model. The cramped seats sucked just as much as any other plane I've been on. Buying a carryon also gets you first-zone boarding, so that was actually kind of nice.

Reportedly, the first-class seats in front are cheaper than other airlines because they just give you more room, but not your own attendant, and none of the other things like free booze. All I'm really hoping for on a plane is a bit more room, and maybe a seat that didn't make every last part of my skeleton hurt.