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I flew Spirit Airlines for the first time ever from Miami to NYC. Here are 6 things I wish I knew about the budget airline beforehand.https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/news/i-flew-spirit-airlines-for-the-first-time-ever-from-miami-to-nyc-here-are-6-things-i-wish-i-knew-about-the-budget-airline-beforehand-/slidelist/96199851.cms2022-12-13T17:01:43+05:30

I flew Spirit Airlines for the first time ever from Miami to NYC. Here are 6 things I wish I knew about the budget airline beforehand.

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Hannah ToweyDec 13, 2022, 17:01 IST

I flew Spirit Airlines for the first time ever from Miami to NYC. Here are 6 things I wish I knew about the budget airline beforehand. — Hannah Towey/Insider
I flew with Spirit for the first time and learned everything you give up for cheap fares.
Water was $4, there was no in-flight entertainment, and the leg room was abysmal.
I'm a low-maintenance traveler. At just under 5'3", legroom usually isn't an issue, and I can fall asleep almost anywhere. I'm also a light packer and am easily entertained by a good book or chatting with fellow passengers.
But my first time flying Spirit Airlines challenged everything.
From the lack of in-flight entertainment and outlets to $4 water, here are the six things I wish I knew before boarding a 3-hour flight from Miami to New Yor City:

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1. Charge up all your devices

1. Charge up all your devices — Hannah Towey/Insider
There are no power outlets on Spirit Airlines planes. I was able to charge my phone at one of the charging stations for 15 minutes before boarding, but ended up at a precarious 10% by the end of the flight. Next time, I'd make sure my phone, portable charger, and laptop were all fully juiced up.

2. If your bag doesn't meet the required measurements, you could get stuck paying $99

2. If your bag doesn't meet the required measurements, you could get stuck paying $99 — Hannah Towey/Insider
My overstuffed backpack was close to being larger than the personal item measurements allowed for. That would mean I'd have to pay a hefty carry-on fee at the gate of up to $99 — a predicament I saw two passengers express frustration over.
Paying for a carry-on suitcase before or during online check-in will save you between $30 and $40. If you're in a pinch, paying for a carry-on at a Spirit reservation center in the airport is slightly cheaper than paying at the gate.

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3. There are no free snacks or drinks (even water)

3. There are no free snacks or drinks (even water) — Hannah Towey/Insider
I didn't expect much of my first Spirit Airlines flight, but the one thing I did expect was a free cup of water.
Instead, the flight attendants explained that I could buy a bottle for $4.
Unlike most major airlines, there are no complimentary beverages or snacks on Spirit flights. This a la carte pricing system is what helps the company keep airfare ultra-low, according to its website.

4. Download a movie beforehand

4. Download a movie beforehand — Hannah Towey/Insider
Spirit flights don't have TVs or in-flight entertainment options for your laptop or mobile devices. According to the airline's website, the $5.99 in-flight Wifi option is fast enough to stream movies online — but your best bet is to download movies and shows beforehand.

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5. Don't expect the WiFi to work, even if you paid for it

5. Don't expect the WiFi to work, even if you paid for it — Hannah Towey/Insider
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the WiFi did not work for the entire duration of the flight. Passengers who paid for the service ($2.99 for browsing and $5.99 for streaming) could send an email to the airline requesting a refund, one flight attendant said.

6. The seats are incredibly uncomfortable

6. The seats are incredibly uncomfortable — Hannah Towey/Insider
To avoid an extra $20-50 fee, I declined the option to select my seat during check-in. I got lucky and ended up with an aisle seat in row 17, toward the middle of the plane.
I'm not sure if I would have been able to stand a middle seat. Next time, I don't think I would risk it.
The seat was rock-hard, and very narrow. The lack of legroom even made me (a smaller than average person) feel cramped and claustrophobic. Thankfully, there was enough room to move my backpack into the overhead bins.

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I would still book Spirit again for domestic trips below $50.

I would still book Spirit again for domestic trips below $50. — Hannah Towey/Insider
My one-way ticket was $180 because I bought it just a week in advance, but the flight typically goes for as low as $32 — a price that's hard to beat.
Most importantly, I arrived safely and mostly on-time (there was a slight delay thanks to an air traffic control issue upon landing).
At the end of the day, I'd book Spirit again for short-haul, weekend trips that don't require any carry-on luggage — but only if the fare is considerably less than other alternatives.

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