Spirit Airlines...experiences???

[Musicqueen]

I just booked my flight on Spirit Airlines from April 27th to May 3rd last night...

They had a special offer of $48 each way...$96 R/T to Santo Domingo...Total with taxes was $206.55!!!

The flight leaves from Ft. Lauderdale Airport, which is 5 minutes from my house at 7:50 pm, and returns at 9:25 am, plenty of time to go directly to work on Tuesday.

My question is this...has anyone travelled with Spirit to Sto. Dgo., and how does it compare to AA?

I have miles accumulated with AA, but the tickets on the same dates would have cost me $340 USD....

Just wondering if I made the right choice...Oh, well...mute point, I already purchased the ticket...but the deadline was last night for the special fare so I had to take advantage...

Any opinions on the Spirit Air service would be greatly appreciated...

MQ

[Don Tomas]

I flew Spirit for my Christmas vacation. I do hope you have a better experience...

For one I was partially to blame, I live in Tampa so I had to take Southwest to FLL. The SW flight was a half hour late, well I had left myself a 2 hour layover window so I thought I would be ok. I got lectured by the Spirit air desk that they weren't going to check my bags since I wasn't there 2 hours before hand as "required" for international flights, finally after arguing I got my bags checked. Otherwise the flight down was just fine...

On the way back Spirit Air has only one gate that they share with some other airline. My original flight was suppose to leave at 15:05, it was 14:30 when I ran into the flight crew while they were discussing the infamous topic of "So where's the airplane?". Around 15:00 (5 minutes before taking off) they updated the departure time to 17:30.

HIGHLIGHT: I am a smoker and the Dominican officials were very nice to let me back outside to smoke.

Checking the depature sign it was still saying 17:30 so I re-entered the airport and went to the gate around 16:45. By the time I get to the gate the new time was 19:15! So I go talk to my new amigos in customs and tell them I want to smoke again and get a beer! Again they let me out!!! Note: The sign at the check-in counter was still showing 17:30 and didn't get updated until around 18:00.

Finally the plane left around 20:00. Then of course by that time I missed my connecting SW flight to Tampa and due to other issues I couldn't find an open hotel room in Ft. Lauderdale so I slept in the airport and grabbed the first flight back to Tampa in the morning.

Even if you gave me a free ticket I wouldn't take Spirit again, I might consider it if I lived on the east coast but never again from Tampa!

PS. If you are curious what Spirit did to make it up. I got a free drink and a coupon for 10% off my next flight!

[Musicqueen]

But other than that...how was the experience of flying with Sprit?

I always travel with American, and only twice were they late with the flights (the one that leaves MIA at 5:00 pm because it comes from Puerto Rico and they're usually late) but other than those 2 times, I have never had any problems.

I'm worried now with the delay, because I'm timing my flight to get here at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 3rd, and that gives me perfect time to make it to work around 11:00 a.m.

Oh, well, there's always traffic jams in Miami, so I could always blame it on that...

Thanks for the info...

MQ

[Don Tomas]

Otherwise Spirit was like any other airline. Small bag of peanuts and a drink and from point A to point B.

Just the fact that the flight crew wasn't even informed of the delay and that there was no one at the gate or even the counter to tell us what was going on surprised me.

[rellosk]

Originally Posted by Don Tomas

Just the fact that the flight crew wasn't even informed of the delay and that there was no one at the gate or even the counter to tell us what was going on surprised me.

That problem (and the bit about not changing the flight times on the monitor) seem to be common problems with all the airlines.

[carlos]

I flew with them from Laguardia to Cancun (with a layover in FLL).

Everything was smooth. No turbulence and very relaxing.

Just another airline. I recommend trying to get an upgrade which you can do for 40 bucks I think, or seat in the emergency row.

The extra room is always good regarless of how big or small you are.

Not sure how they are doing as far as SDQ. It depends on many factors which may include the weather.

good luck

[R&JRivas]

We have flown a total of 6 times FLL to SDQ never have had a problem, they have even left early a few times. We also have alot of miles with AA, but with Sprit giving those kinds of prices the mile can wait.

[Musicqueen]

I guess I can't complain too much for $200 USD, right?

Well, I'll let you know how it goes after I get back...but that's not for another couple of weeks...I cant' wait!!!

MQ

[Hlywud]

I use Spirit, Detroit to Florida and it is fine no frills type of flight, they are in process of getting all new Airbus planes.

I see by your picks why you can't wait to get back to the DR, have fun!