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Is Spirit Airlines Safe To Fly In 2024?

Last updated 03/15/2024 by

Jamela Adam

Edited by

Fact checked by

Summary:
While Spirit Airlines is known for offering incredibly cheap flights, many people have come to associate the low-cost carrier with poor-quality service and safety concerns. However, contrary to popular belief, flying Spirit Airlines is actually quite safe. In fact, it’s one of the top 25 safest airlines in the United States. So, if you’re looking for a cost-effective way to travel to your next destination, give Spirit Airlines a chance.
Spirit Airlines has made a name for itself as the go-to airline for budget-conscious travelers. However, when flights are that cheap, it’s hard not to wonder if the airline is skimping on safety. After all, you get what you paid for.
If you’re a traveler who’s planning on flying with Spirit Airlines on your next trip, it’s natural to feel slightly nervous about the flight. Don’t worry. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at Spirit’s safety records so you know what you’re getting into when you fly with the airline.

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Is Spirit Airlines safe?

If you want to fly Spirit Airlines, you can feel better knowing it’s a relatively safe airline in 2023. According to recent data from the Jet Airliner Crash Data Evaluation Centre (JACDEC), Spirit was one of the top 25 safest airlines in the world.
Not to mention that Spirit Airlines’ fleet includes some of the youngest and most fuel-efficient Airbus fleets in the United States. The average age of these Airbus aircraft is just a bit over six years old. Plus, Airbus is one of the safest aircraft manufacturers in the world. Here are the four main types of aircraft that Spirit flies:
  • Airbus A319 (319)
  • Airbus A320 (32A/32N)
  • Airbus A321 (32B)
  • Airbus A320 (320)

Spirit Airlines’ safety records

A Spirit Airlines aircraft has not caused a fatality event in its 30-year history. That being said, there have been some incidents that — while not catastrophic — have left passengers injured. Just earlier this year, a Spirit Airlines flight from Dallas to Orlando experienced a fire that injured several passengers and crew members.
While events like these can be concerning, it’s important to remember that major airlines like Spirit are always working to improve their safety protocols to ensure passenger safety.

Is Spirit Airlines FAA certified?

Yes, Spirit Airlines is FAA certified. The airline is among the select few that have passed the rigorous certification process by the Federal Aviation Administration, which sets strict safety standards for all airlines.

What do experts think?

Kyle Stewart, the owner of the travel agency Scott & Thomas, says that while his company offers luxury travel experiences, he often recommends customers fly Spirit. He says, “Contrary to popular opinion, discount airlines like Spirit and Ryan Air have exemplary safety records and fly the newest planes (Spirit markets its ‘Fit Fleet’) because it’s less expensive to maintain new aircraft than aging equipment.”
While Kyle recommends Spirit for their exemplary safety record and newer planes, Mitch Glass — a digital nomad coach and owner of the Project Untethered travel blog — has a more nuanced view. He acknowledges that Spirit offers cost savings and is generally safe, but notes that their limited flight options and lack of partner airlines can create logistical headaches in the event of flight cancellations.
He says, “The bigger airlines and their partners fly more frequently between destinations. That means if your flight gets canceled, you likely won’t have to wait long for the next one. Spirit, on the other hand, has fewer flights and no partner airlines. So if Spirit cancels your flight and doesn’t have another one to your destination for another three days, you either have to scramble to buy an expensive last-minute ticket on another airline, or you wait.”

Why is Spirit Airlines so cheap?

If you’re looking for a budget airline, Spirit Airlines is probably one of the top choices that come to mind. This low-cost carrier is known for its cheap flights that seem too good to be true, which is why most travelers have doubts before booking a Spirit flight. After all, many of us associate lower prices with compromised quality.
But the question remains, how does Spirit Airlines manage to keep their prices budget-friendly? Well, it all comes down to their business model.
  • Non-ticket revenue. By charging extra for things like carry-on bags, seat selection, and food and beverage options, Spirit can keep its base fares incredibly low. According to Spirit’s 2022 financial reports, its non-ticket revenue makes up more than half of its total revenue per passenger.
  • Streamlined fleet. Unlike other airlines that operate various types of aircraft, Spirit Airlines only fly a single family of aircraft — the Airbus. This means they can save money on training and cut supply chain costs.
  • Cheap headquarters. Spirit Airlines only spent around $250 million on its headquarters in Florida, whereas American Airlines shelled out $1 billion on its corporate headquarters in Texas.

Pro Tip

If you have an issue with your Spirit flight, you can contact the airline’s customer service by calling the toll-free number at 1-855-728-3555. Their customer service team is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

Pros and cons of Spirit Airlines

Consider these pros and cons of Spirit Airlines to decide whether you should fly with them on your next trip.
WEIGH THE RISKS AND BENEFITS
Here is a list of the benefits and drawbacks to consider.
Pros
  • Low fares
  • Convenient booking via Spirit.com and the Spirit Mobile App
  • Owns one of the U.S. youngest, most fuel-efficient fleets
  • Good safety ratings
  • Seat selection options
Cons
  • Extra baggage fees
  • No extra service even if you upgrade your seat
  • No free drinks or free meals
  • Uncomfortable seats
  • Small airline route network
  • Limited free flight cancellation or rescheduling options

Pro Tip

If you often travel with Spirit Airlines, you may benefit from the Free Spirit® Travel More Mastercard. It allows you to earn points for every dollar spent on Spirit plane tickets, seat assignments, and bags.
However, if you don’t want to limit yourself to only Spirit Airlines, consider applying for one of the airline credit cards below.

SuperMoney may receive compensation from some or all of the companies featured, and the order of results are influenced by advertising bids, with exception for mortgage and home lending related products. Learn more

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FAQs

Is Spirit or Delta safer?

When it comes to choosing between two airlines, safety is always a top concern. In the case of Spirit and Delta, both airlines pride themselves on their safety measures and procedures. However, some may argue that Delta has a slight edge over Spirit since it’s a more established airline and has been in business for nearly 100 years.
Overall, both Spirit and Delta Airlines are FAA certified, meaning they both meet the safety standards set by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Does Spirit cancel flights often?

Spirit is more likely to cancel and delay flights than other airlines, according to the Air Travel Consumer Report compiled by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT). This report revealed that Spirit racked up over 600 customer complaints in April 2022 over flight problems, such as flight cancellations, delays, and misconnections — making it one of the most complained about airlines in the U.S.

Is United Airlines safer than Spirit?

Both United Airlines and Spirit Airlines have relatively good safety records and are certified by the Federal Aviation Administration. So, it may be difficult to choose which airline to fly with solely based on how safe they are. To make an informed decision, consider other factors such as pricing and in-flight amenities.

Why is Spirit Airlines so hated?

Spirit has a reputation for being one of the worst airlines, but why is this the case? Some say it’s due to their bare-bones approach to travel — charging customers extra for everything from checked bags to in-flight snacks. Others complain that they offer poor customer service, have rude flight attendants, and frequently delay and cancel flights. Despite various customer complaints, millions of travelers still fly with Spirit Airlines due to its low cost.

What kind of airplanes does Spirit Airlines use?

Spirit Airlines operates an all-Airbus fleet, including Airbus A319, A320, and A321. Because these planes are younger and more energy-efficient, Spirit Airlines is able to keep their costs down and offer more affordable pricing to customers.

Key Takeaways

  • Spirit is one of the top 25 safest airlines in the world, according to recent data from the Jet Airliner Crash Data Evaluation Centre.
  • Spirit operates an all-Airbus fleet — including Airbus A319, A320, and A321 — with an average aircraft age of six years old.
  • There haven’t been any fatalities on Spirit flights during its 30-year history.
  • Spirit Airlines is certified by the FAA and offers budget-friendly fares — with non-ticket revenue making up more than half of its total revenue per passenger.
  • If you often travel with Spirit Airlines, you could consider signing up for the Free Spirit® Travel More Mastercard program to earn points for flights, seat assignments, and bags.

Fly frequently with travel rewards

Don’t let the misconception that cheaper flights are more dangerous dissuade you from finding affordable ways to travel. So, if you’re a budget-conscious traveler and want to save as much as you can on your next trip, consider booking a flight with Spirit Airlines.
To maximize your savings, take advantage of travel rewards cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve Visa to earn points or miles that you can redeem for future travel expenses. Check out our hand-picked list of the best travel credit cards to find the perfect card for your needs.

SuperMoney may receive compensation from some or all of the companies featured, and the order of results are influenced by advertising bids, with exception for mortgage and home lending related products. Learn more

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