Spirit Airlines Is Changing Its Fare Classes — What Travelers Should Know

Spirit Airlines is moving away from its history of à-la-carte pricing by introducing new ticketing bundles that include options for premium seats, carry-on bags, Wi-Fi, and more.

Starting August 16, travelers can find the new booking options online at checkout. The base-level fare, “Go,” will remain true to Spirit as the most economical ticketing option, and travelers will be able to pay for trip extras after booking. 

With the new update, passengers can upgrade to “Go Savvy,” “Go Comfy,” and “Go Big,” and these bundles will offer more perks than ever before:

• Go Savvy: includes one carry-on or checked bag and a standard seat selection at booking
• Go Comfy: includes a guaranteed blocked middle seat, carry-on and checked bags, priority boarding, one snack, and a non-alcoholic beverage. It is available for travel starting Aug. 27.
• Go Big: includes Spirit’s Big Front seat, free snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, a carry-on and checked bag, priority check-in and boarding, and free Wi-Fi. It is available for travel starting Aug. 27.

As part of a recent policy change by the low-cost airline, all four “Go” ticketing options will include no change or cancellation fees. 

“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 ever offered before,” said Spirit’s president and CEO, Ted Christie, in a statement shared with T+L. “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.”

Spirit anticipates a larger net loss for Q2 2024 due to “lower-than-expected” ancillary revenue. 

However, Spirit is not alone in the industry, as airlines are attempting to upsell premium amenities to make up for losses. Major low-cost competitor Frontier Airlines has introduced an “UpFront Plus” seating option with blocked middle seats, while Southwest recently announced plans to phase out its decades-long open-boarding policy.