FLYING budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the amenities.
Spirit Airlines is changing its traditional business model and introducing travel upgrades that offer low fares alongside a “premium experience.”
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Four new travel options include the Go Big, Go Comfy, Go Savvy, and Go bundles, all of which include no change or cancellation fees.
Go, the most affordable upgrade, allows passengers to add their choice of checked bags, seat selection, Wi-Fi, and snacks and beverages.
Go Savvy includes the choice of a carry-on bag or one piece of checked luggage, as well as seat selection.
The two lower-tier options will be available to book beginning August 16.
Go Comfy not only includes one carry-on, a checked bag, and your choice of seat but also a guaranteed blocked middle seat, priority boarding, and complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic drinks.
Spirit’s largest premium bundle, Go Big, offers travelers extra legroom with a Big Front Seat with no occupied middle seat, a carry-on, a checked bag, priority check-in and boarding, snacks and drinks, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
The two upper-tier upgrades will be available to book starting August 16 and experience beginning August 27.
“We’re unveiling a new era in Spirit’s history and taking low-fare travel to new heights with enhanced options that are unlike anything we’ve offered before,” said Ted Christie, Spirit’s president and chief executive officer, in a statement.
“We listened to our Guests and are excited to deliver what they want: choices for an elevated experience that are affordable and provide unparalleled value.”
The changes come as the budget airline experienced a loss of nearly $1.7 billion over the stretch of four years, with no operating profits made since 2019.
The airline continued its streak with an operating loss of $207 million through the first quarter of 2024.
Spirit has followed in the footsteps of Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines, all of which have announced revamps to their business models.
“As the Company progresses on its transformation strategy, it anticipates that over time it will be able to drive improvement in total revenue per passenger segment,” Spirit said.
Frontier Airlines announced that it will begin offering bundles to include options like seat assignments and carry-on bags.
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Southwest has also made massive changes to its strategy after 53 years of business with seating restructures.
The budget airline has eliminated its open seating design and instead will be offering extra legroom to paying customers.
Southwest previously offered a single economy class cabin with no seating assignments.
Passengers used to compete for seats on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The airline formerly offered priority boarding for an extra fee.