Spirit Airlinesgets a lot of crap.
Most of the time,that crap is well deserved.
The problem is, their prices are enticingly low.
Its possible, however, to fly this cheap, unaccommodating airline without losing your mind.
As much as people hate Spirit, you have to admit: their prices are awesome.
Even better, its a nonstop flight thats a few hours long.
Its not the first time Ive flown with Spirit, either.
Ive learned how to get through the experience without losing my shit.
We all complain about sneaky airline fees butconsider the fact that flight prices are historically low.
Its cheaper than ever to fly, and thats partly because of this unbundling of fees.
Unless you fly with Spirit.
Youre already saving hundreds, splurge twenty bucks for the best seat in the house.
From experience, I can tell you it makes the flight a lot more enjoyable.
For the most peace and quiet, youll do well to sitnear or in front of the wing.
Your Flight Will Probably Be Late, So Buffer Accordingly
Spirit airlines is notorious for being late.
For this reason, I give myself some buffer time.
You have to do the math for your own situation because its not always worth it.
I usually fly Spirit for casual trips back home to visit friends and family.
If someone is picking you up from the airport, you want to ensure theyre prepared, too.
There are ways to get around this, though.
For one, personal items are free.
(Also, next year, theyre increasing this size to 1814x12not bad).
When implementing this method, I use Spirit strategically.
For example,thanks to jet stream, flights heading east are a little shorter.
I still save money overall, but its a decent compromise for comfort.
It depends on price, too.
All have been nonstop flights, since connecting ones can add considerable travel time on Spirit.
There are no free snacks.
Theycharge $3 for water.
And you’re able to forget about watching TV on the seatback in front of you.
Be prepared and bring your own amenities.
Pack a few teabags and packets of sugar or sweetener.
Because of the low fares, expect a number of young families with crying infants.
Pack earplugs and a sleep mask.
And finally, the best tip of all: splurge on the booze if you’re able to.
Spirits areslightly cheaper than other airlines, and itll make the flight all the more tolerable.
Illustration by Sam Woolley.
