Based in Miramar, Florida, Spirit Airlines operates flights through the U.S. as well as the Caribbean, Central and South America. It began as a trucking company in 1964 and spent 12 years under the name Charter One from 1980 before becoming Spirit Airlines in 1992. As an ultra-low-cost airline, it flies to 60 destinations using a fleet of 107 Airbus aircraft.
Contact details
Telephone: 1-801.401.2222 (US). International numbers here.
Website: https://www.spirit.com
Send an email: Use this contact form
Mailing Address:
Spirit Customer Relations
2800 Executive Way
Miramar, FL 33025
You can find Spirit Airlines on several of the most popular social media websites:
What are my Spirit Airlines check-in options?
Mobile boarding passes and priority boarding
Priority boarding
Flying with children
Seating for infants and children
Unaccompanied children
Flying while pregnant
Group bookings
Disabled access and medical equipment
Pets and service animals
Mobile boarding passes
Online check-in is available from 24 hours up to 60 minutes before scheduled departure. You will need to print out your boarding pass after checking in, or download the mobile app (iOS or Android). You can also check in at the self-service kiosks at the airport and print out the pass for US$2. A US$10 fee is charged if you print out boarding passes via an agent at the airport. For added peace of mind before you fly, check out Cheapflights.ca’s guide to 10 things to do before your flight.
Priority boarding
Passengers who pay for their carry-on bags ahead of time are given priority while other passengers are awarded Zone 3 or 4 (no priority). You can pay to get Zone 2 boarding (“Shortcut Boarding”) for US$5.99 per person each way here. If you are a person needing special assistance or travelling with small children, you are invited to board earlier than other passengers at not added cost.
Flying with children
As long as your infant is over 7 days old and under 2 years old and is travelling with someone who is at least 15 years old, you are not required to purchase a seat for them and can carry them in your lap free of charge. Once a child has their second birthday (24 months and older), they are no longer considered a lap child and a seat must be purchased at normal adult rates in order for them to travel.
Seating for infants and children
If your child is to travel in his or her own seat, you must buy a ticket and may bring a safety seat approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In this case, most safety seats that are approved for use in motor vehicles are acceptable for use in aircraft. Seat sizes range between 15.5 inches on Airbus A321 flights in Economy to 22.8 inches on Airbus 319 flights. Check here for more sizing details. You can also check in one car seat and one stroller for free, and this is not considered part of your normal baggage allowance.
Unaccompanied children
The Unaccompanied Minor service is available for all domestic flights, including Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, for a fee of $100 per leg. Unaccompanied minors are not accepted if their flight includes a connection to/from another airline. The service is available for children aged between 5 and 14. Children aged between 15 and 18 can also use the service, but it is not compulsory. Children under 5 years of age may not travel alone. There are further restrictions here.
Flying while pregnant
There are no restrictions when expectant mothers can fly although the airline requests that pregnant passengers obtain an examination from their physician shortly before flying to confirm it is safe to travel. Cheapflights have prepared an information for expectant mothers checklist here.
Group bookings
Group amenities are available for 10 or more people travelling together to a common destination. The Spirit Airlines Group Travel program offers one guaranteed price for all customers travelling with the group. Group rates quoted are guaranteed for 24 hours. Benefits include:
- Confirmed seats of 10 or more without full payment for travel 60 days out
- Name changes can be made free of charge up to 30 days before schedule departure
- Ticketless travel
- Personal Group Travel Specialist to assist with travel questions or concerns
- More information about group services can be found here, and a proposal request can be made via groups@spirit.com
Disabled access & medical equipment
If you’re travelling with a medical or mobility device, Spirit Airlines offers pre-boarding, deplaning and airport assistance. You can provide advance notice of any needs you may have by adding them to your reservation through the My Trips section of the Spirit Airlines website. The Meet and Assist service is offered to escort passengers to the gate and from the gate when a wheelchair is not needed. Call the Reservations Center at 801.401.2222 if you would like to request this service.
Mobility and medical devices don’t count toward carry-on limits. If space is limited, the device doesn’t fit in the cabin or if it isn’t required during the flight, it may need to be checked. Take a look at Cheapflights.ca’s guide to travelling with medication to help prep for your trip.
Pets and service animals
You can bring small pets (house cats, dogs and birds) on all domestic flights including Puerto Rico and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands inside the guest cabin. Spirit Airlines does not require a health certificate for pets travelling in the aircraft. A maximum of 2 pets per container is permitted, but only one container per guest is allowed. For more information and requirements regarding travelling with your pet in the passenger cabin, please view the airline’s dedicated page to pet travel here.
Fees are US$110 per pet container each way. Note that Spirit Airlines does not transport pets in Cargo at any time, and only service animals are permitted on international flights. The pet container must be inspected and approved by Spirit and able to fit underneath the seat in front you. The maximum container size is 45.72 cm x 35.56 cm x 22.86 cm in dimension (L x W X H). The combined weight of the pet and carrier may not exceed 18.14 kg.
Travelling with a service animal, including emotional support animals, is free as long as they meet requirements and are not considered ‘in training’. You will need a letter from your doctor for this plus identification cards for the animal. For additional guidelines, click here, and for further information related to travelling with pets and service animals, check out Cheapflights.com’s guide to pet travel.
What are Spirit Airlines baggage allowance limits and fees?
Spirit Airlines carry-on size
Spirit Airlines checked luggage size
Extra and overweight baggage charges
Musical and sport equipment
Priority boarding
You are only allowed 1 personal item that must fit under the seat in front of you, as well as one carry-on bag. The maximum dimensions are:
Personal item: 45 x 35 x 20 cm including handles and wheels
Carry-on item: 56 x 46 x 25 cm including handles and wheels
Spirit Airlines checked luggage size
The size and weight limits for checked backs are as follows:
Maximum Dimensions (length + width + height): 158 cm
Maximum Weight: 18.1 kg
Extra and overweight baggage charges
The airline’s “Bare Fare” is the basic fare where passengers fly with just a personal item. Every item of luggage after this is charged.
Per bag | |
18 – 23 kg | + $30 |
23 – 32 kg | + $55 |
32 – 45 kg | + $100 |
158-203 cm | + $100 |
Special items over 203 cm | + $150 |
Bags that weigh more than 45 kg or that measure more than 203 cm in overall dimensions are not permitted.
International flights have varying restrictions depending on destination, which you can find here.
Musical and sport equipment
Musical and sporting equipment can be carried on board or in the hold, depending on the size of the container or bag. Spirit Airlines has created a widget where you can calculate the cost of transporting your equipment here. Generally, bicycles are charged at US$75 each way, surfboards at US$100. Other items are charged based on the normal checked bag costs outlined above.
What additional fees does Spirit Airlines charge?
Booking fees
Flight cancellation policy
Travel insurance
Booking fees
Various booking fees apply depending on your ticket class, starting at US$5 for group reservations.
Per customer | |
Reservation Center Booking (call centre booking fee | + US$35 per booking |
Group Booking | + US$5 per booking |
Colombia Administrative Charge | + US$15 to US$95 per booking |
Fuel charge (sometimes waived on discount flights) | + US$6 each way |
Passenger Usage Charge (online booking fee) | + US$8.99 to US$18.99 each way |
Flight cancellation policy
A US$100 fee applies if you cancel or modify your flight and book a new ticket at the airport, or US$90 if this is carried out online. A group booking itinerary modification or cancellation is US$50.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance for Spirit Airlines is available through Travel Guard at www.travelguard.com/Spirit or by calling Travel Guard at 1.866.877.3191. You can get a find out more information here and request a quote here.
What amenities does Spirit Airlines offer?
In-flight entertainment
Food
Seating
Lounges
In-flight entertainment
Spirit Airlines does not offer in-flight entertainment.
Food
Hot meals are not served on Spirit Airlines flights but drinks are snacks may be purchased. You can see the current offering here. Credit card only.
Seating
Preferred seats can be booked when making reservation and price may vary depending on route. Otherwise Spirit will randomly assign you a seat at check-in for free. Seat assignments start at just US$5, and added legroom seats, known as Big Front Seat, are charged at a higher fee.
Frequent Flyers
Spirit Airlines offers the Free Spirit frequent flyer program to regular passengers. You can redeem points for flights, hotel stays, car rentals and destination attractions. More information can be found here.
Lounges
Spirit Airlines does not currently offer lounge services.
How do I contact Spirit Airlines’ customer service?
Contact
Delayed, missing or damaged luggage
Compensation for baggage
Contact
A full list of contact options can be found here. Spirit Airlines can be reached by calling +1-801-401-2222. Query and request emails can be send using the contact form here.
Delayed, missing or damaged luggage
If on arrival, you find your luggage is missing or damaged, you will need to file a report with an airport agent either within 4 hours of arrival (for domestic) or one week for international flights. If your baggage has not been located and returned, you will need to file a claim within five (5) days. To file a claim, you will need to complete a Customer Property Form. The Customer Property Form is a different form from the delayed baggage report that is filed at the airport. All claims for compensation, (e.g., delay, loss, damage and pilferage) must include a completed form inclusive of all the required documents listed on the cover sheet and must be mailed to the address listed below.
Compensation for baggage
Spirit Airlines will pay for reasonable interim expenses for passengers whose bags have been delayed. Interim expenses incurred are limited to reasonable personal items, such as clothing and toiletries purchased as a result of the delay. You will need to keep the original receipts to be reimbursed as copies will not be accepted. All claims for compensation, (e.g., delay, loss, damage and pilferage) must include a completed Customer Property Form inclusive of all the required documents and be mailed to the address listed below. The claim and all the required documents must be sent within thirty (30) days of the date of travel (unless applicable law or treaty provides for a longer period of time) to the following address (email is not accepted):
Luggage Resolution Department
Spirit Airlines, Inc.
2800 Executive Way
Miramar, FL 33025
Fun Facts
Ned Homfeld founded the airline as Charter One. Initially, it was a Detroit-based charter tour operator providing travel packages to entertainment destinations such as Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and the Bahamas.