I haven't flown them in about 15 years as my only flight with them felt like a city bus and arrived to California several hours late. However, I'm looking to book a quick, cheap flight to NYC by myself in June while the wife and kids are at summer camp for a few days. Would it be worth booking the $115 Spirit flight if all I'm taking is a backpack?

It's been a couple years, but the last time my BF tried to fly Spirit to NY, the flight was cancelled while he was driving to the airport (wasn't a weather issue, as other flights to the same airport took off fine/on time). He didn't see the notification until after he'd parked and they were on their way to the terminal. Customer service counter was a sh/t show, as you would expect. IIRC, he just took the refund and booked United for a day or two later. After that, he said never again.

I think that's your biggest issue - if for some reason the flight is cancelled, getting rebooked is not as easy because they don't have as many flights as United.

With that said, EWR is a hot mess right now, too.

Might look into Jet Blue to JFK (if going out of IAH), but IDK how much you'd save.

Just got back from flying them to laguardia. No problem got the upgraded seat with no middle seat for small increase in price.

Haven't flown them but I walked by their gate and got into a fight if that counts.

ReloadAg said:

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I haven't flown them in about 15 years as my only flight with them felt like a city bus and arrived to California several hours late. However, I'm looking to book a quick, cheap flight to NYC by myself in June while the wife and kids are at summer camp for a few days. Would it be worth booking the $115 Spirit flight if all I'm taking is a backpack?

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I typically fly Spirit at least once or twice per year. As long as its a direct flight, then go for it. Ive probably had more issues with delays and cancellations with other airlines than I've had with Spirit. The way to go is to pay the small fee for the exit row seat so you get way more leg room.

As long as you understand what you are signing up for, then it's fine. The customers are People of Walmart. But don't pay extra for anything. Don't pick a seat, don't pay for a carry on or checked bag. Understand you're going to be in the middle seat in the last row. But you're by yourself, and you can handle 3 hours of discomfort.

When was the last time you rode a greyhound?

Watch the passengers?? Watch the staff!!

This is so bad!! Yet another reason not to fly spirit airlines!

Smh 🤦‍♀️ criminal pic.twitter.com/GZy6BMCmmz

— Kathleen Winchell ❤️🤍💙🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@KathleenWinche3) June 1, 2025

I travel Spirit and United, and they're the same. Their personal item dimensions are slightly different, and that's the only luggage I bring 90% of the time. The ONLY difference I've seen is that if your Spirit flight gets cancelled, it's harder to re-book, as TexasTransplant already mentioned.

94chem said:

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I travel Spirit and United, and they're the same. Their personal item dimensions are slightly different, and that's the only luggage I bring 90% of the time. The ONLY difference I've seen is that if your Spirit flight gets cancelled, it's harder to re-book, as TexasTransplant already mentioned.

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This. I recently flew United one way and Spirit on the way back. The Spirit plane actually had more leg room than the United one. All US airlines are basically the same. Go with the cheapest option and pay extra for an upgraded seat if possible.