The rise of ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCC) in recent times such as Spirit Airlines has certainly made air travel easier for all. On one hand where travelers seeking style and comfort in air travel are ready to spend hefty amounts for flights, there on the other, budget conscious flyers can take full benefit of competitively low-priced flights offered by low fare airlines. Thus, interestingly, Spirit frequently attracts both favorable and negative attention due to its low-cost business model.
What Makes Spirit Airlines Flights Cheap?
Go ahead and learn more about the fundamental elements underscoring the affordable ticket costs as well as the business practices of Spirit Airlines.
A) Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier (ULCC) Strategy as a Business Model
Spirit Airlines uses the ULCC model, which aims to provide basic air travel services at the lowest possible cost.
Basically, the carrier provides a typical seat on the aircraft without any free amenities like baggage, meals, entertainment options etc. So, passengers have the option to purchase additional services, based on “a la carte” pricing, which lets them pay only for the services they use or avail. Apparently, they need to pay for additional amenities which they would have got as standard ones while flying with other carriers.
Secondly, rather than using a hub-and-spoke concept, Spirit uses a point-to-point route system. It focuses on reducing layovers and increasing aircraft usage, thereby lowering operating costs. Passengers also get more immediate access to their defined destinations.
So, these are some of the major potential means through which the low fare approach of Spirit varies from conventional carriers.
B) Cost Structure
In comparison to traditional airlines, Spirit has substantially reduced operating costs because of fleet simplicity. The carrier mostly uses the Airbus A320 series of aircraft. No doubt, this certainly makes maintenance easier and lowers training expenses for flight and maintenance engineers or workers.
Then the carrier also schedules flights with as little downtime as possible in order to achieve high aircraft utilization rates. This disperses fixed costs over a larger number of flights and boosts revenue generation.
Now when it comes to workforce then also, in contrast to traditional airlines, Spirit maintains smaller teams. Thus, it helps reduce labor expenses, which raises the overall affordability of their tickets.
C) Other Revenue Sources
Spirit depends significantly on revenue generation through other sources, thus maintaining low fares. This is how it works.
Charges for Carry-on and Checked Baggage – Many travelers are used to free baggage on other airlines but Spirit charges for both checked and carry-on bags. So, by charging extra on these services, the airline recovers expenses while maintaining cheap initial ticket costs.
Seat Selection Fees – Spirit also works on maximizing revenue from passengers who have specific seating preferences. They need to pay extra costs to select their seats.
In-Flight Purchases – Spirit also generates revenue by providing amenities on the flight, which may include snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi. The airline encourages customers to buy snacks onboard, in contrast to full-service airlines where free refreshments may come as usual facilities.
D) Market Positioning
Spirit Airlines has been able to establish a strong foothold in the aviation sector because it targets price-sensitive travelers who fly on a tight budget. So, such customers are prepared to ignore additional services in exchange for cheaper base tickets.
Various marketing campaigns released by Spirit Airlines also highlight a common factor to attract travelers i.e., affordable prices or cost saving. Hence, no wonder, whether it’s about vacationers looking for the most affordable travel options, young adults and students choosing affordability over comfort, or short-haul passengers whose journey involves minimal transportation, they are all happy paying low prices for their flights. The basic aspect is that they are ready to forgo extra comfort and convenience because of lower costs.
It is in fact noteworthy that Spirit is directly competing with other ULCCs such as Frontier and Allegiant Airlines because of its low-cost business model. This competition leads to lower prices and increases the overall demand for air travel. Hence, it becomes easier for people to travel spontaneously.
Responses and Criticisms
Although Spirit Airlines offers benefits to customers because of its low-cost business model, it faces various drawbacks as well. Customers who are not habitual of traveling with ULCC often face claustrophobic seating due to compact seats and less legroom, less in-flight entertainment options, and the unwillingness to pay for any extras. This happens because people who can ignore lavish seating and other modern amenities because of low-priced flights might enjoy their journey, but some also have negative experiences flying with Spirit Airlines. In fact, various concerns regarding whether Spirit Airlines is safe or not also keep doing the rounds on online platforms.
Apart from this, the carrier has come under scanner for having higher-than-average cancellation and delay rates. This definitely makes a negative impression and affects the overall experience of passengers. This came to light as per reports on a number of customer evaluations released by some travel platforms.
Furthermore, travelers also find the prices misleading, as they need to pay extra fees for baggage, seat preference, and other amenities. So, the initially inexpensive fare may become high and result in total travel expenses which can absolutely be compared to those of commercial airlines.
It is also true that the route network of the airline is not as extensive as some other airlines. Thus, there are limited destination options for passengers, which is also negative feedback. Some passengers have also reported difficulty in getting clear information about the carrier’s flights, schedules, regulations, and policies.
Some travelers have even also complained about rude staff positioned by the airline both on ground and on air.
Concluding Words
Spirit Airlines has successfully established itself as a major name in the low-cost travel segment by adhering to a fixed ultra-low-cost carrier model. The airline stringently focuses on different revenue streams and maintains operational efficiency so as to offer highly competitive fares to customers. This approach certainly attracts people who prefer to travel on a low budget and ignore ultra-modern comfort on flights. But, at the same time, it may not appeal to all travelers. However, the airline’s strategy has undoubtedly expanded the air travel landscape, providing passengers with affordable alternatives and taking spontaneous flights. There have also been negative experiences of passengers who chose to fly on Spirit Airlines flights.
Nevertheless, you are advised to conduct an in-depth research and carefully consider the associated trade-offs, making informed decisions that absolutely align with your preferences and requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some key queries you might also have in mind. Take a quick look.
Spirit Airlines operates with an ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) model and achieves low costs by charging fees for services including baggage, seat selection, snacks & beverages, and in-flight entertainment. The airline also uses specific aircraft and optimizes flight schedules by keeping less layovers so as to attain operational efficiency.
Spirit Airlines is famous for low-cost flights, but it is also disliked by some travelers for its bad reputation due to extra fees for amenities, uncomfortable seating, and poor customer services. In fact, passengers have also reported issues with delays, cancellations, and transparency in its communications.
The safety aspect of Spirit Airlines is a topmost concern among many travelers because of its low-priced flights. However, the airline has a good safety record, as it fulfils all federal aviation regulations and guidelines. As per the findings released by FAA, the safety record of the airline is comparable to other major airlines operating in the US. There have not been any major accidents in recent years.
It is true that Spirit Airlines has a higher rate of mishandled baggage as compared to other airlines operating in the US. Some studies revealed that once the airline was among the airlines with highest rates of lost or damaged baggage.
No, you need to purchase snacks and beverages onboard, as Spirit Airlines does not offer the same free of cost.
Spirit is definitely a good choice if you are prepared to ignore lavish services which provide extra comfort during air travel. However, if you have a comparatively higher budget and traveling in style matters for you, it is beneficial to explore airlines offering ultra-modern amenities.
Many passengers have been found to be complaining about the seats of Spirit Airlines. They are known for being tight and uncomfortable, as they have less legroom. If you can forgo extra comfort and convenience, you can choose Spirit for your upcoming travel.
Spirit Airlines charges only the basic flight cost from passengers. They need to add services such as bags, seat selection, entertainment, and snacks (à la carte) by paying extra charges. This is called the bare fare pricing model used by the airline.
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