Spirit Airlines’ reputation for crummy service remains unmatched. Just take a look at its review page, which is plastered with comments calling Spirit “the worst airline ever.” That said, there aren’t many carriers that offer $30 one-way tickets to major cities across the U.S. Frequent flyers are bound to wonder: Why are the flights so cheap? And are they skimping on safety? We set out to answer those questions so that budget-conscious travelers know what they’re getting into when they fly Spirit Airlines.

Spirit Airlines’ Business Model

If you’ve ever flown with Spirit, you know that a ticket only gets you on the plane. Everything else — seat selection, checked bags, carry-on bags, water, and snacks — will cost you extra. And that’s where the budget airline makes its money. The carrier’s non-ticket revenue (fees) make up more than half of its total revenue per passenger, according to Spirit’s 2022 financial reports. In fact, a NerdWallet analysis found that Spirit Airlines is only second to Frontier when it comes to charging extra fees. In other words, the airline compensates for its low base fares by charging extra for perks that might be standard on other flights.

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Spirit Airlines’ greatest asset — its low ticket prices and fee-based business model — also explains why it earns so many negative reviews. Angry consumers repeatedly complain of “deceptive pricing,” “false advertising,” and “unfair rules,” with most taking aim at the carrier’s surprise fees and poor customer service. The Department of Transportation has even fined Spirit multiple times for violating price advertising rules, among other deceptive practices.

Beyond surprise fees, other tactics that budget airlines use to save money include:

• Streamlined fleet: Unlike large airlines, carriers like Spirit operate a single family of aircraft, meaning they can streamline training and reduce supply chain costs. Spirit planes are also newer and more fuel efficient, a Spirit representative told Cheapism.
• Cheap headquarters: Spirit spent just $250 million on its corporate headquarters in Miramar, Florida. While that may sound like a lot of money, American Airlines spent $1 billion on a 300-acre corporate campus in Fort Worth, Texas.

• Fuel hedging: Since the price of fuel fluctuates, budget carriers try to lock in low fuel prices before they rise.

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  Lower landing fees: Budget airlines often fly into smaller airports at off-peak times to take advantage of lower landing fees. However, a Spirit representative explained that “Spirit’s model focuses more on large markets,” including Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and Houston.

• Utilizing gates: According to the representative, the airline uses its gates more than major airlines, allowing the airline to service more flights per day.

• Lower wages: Airlines like Spirit pay its pilots less. According to Glassdoor, the average pilot at Spirit makes $96,833 a year, while the average pilot at United and Delta makes upward of $110,00 a year. That said, pilots at Spirit recently approved a new two-year contract, raising pay by 34%.

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