Spirit Airlines is no longer the same, the cheapest airline we’ve known is changing. A synonym for “the basics”: a seat, a seatbelt, a destination, and off you go! Ultra-low prices designed simply to take you from one place to another… Even if that meant everything was more uncomfortable, that they charged you for almost everything, and a reputation that left much to be desired…
Now, Spirit is fully immersed in a change aiming very high: improving customer experience without giving up its low-cost model. It’s hard to believe but… is it succeeding?
Spirit Airlines’ change
Kyle Steward, from Live and Let Fly, explains that the restructuring means this airline should no longer be considered a low-cost airline because, if they manage to completely restructure, they would be competing at the level of American and Delta (two very well-known airlines). Really?
The new Free Spirit
One of the most surprising changes has been the renewal of the Free Spirit loyalty program. Before, it was barely known, but now frequent travellers will be able to get extra benefits (such as checked baggage, seat selection, and even priority boarding).
And all of this with much more accessible requirements than other larger airlines. It’s no longer “good for Spirit” now it’s simply good.
And without fine print
Spirit now also promises transparency. If you meet the requirements, you get the benefits. No tricks, no fine print, no catch. Something that, honestly, is appreciated in a world where everything seems to come with an asterisk.
More direct flights.
The new strategy also focuses on secondary airports. In cities like Pittsburgh, the airline is already the most convenient option for non-stop flights, something that many major companies don’t even offer. Although it has adjusted certain routes in markets like New York, the move is working out well: attracting travellers who value both time and savings.
Is it starting to truly compete with the big ones?
Yes. Without abandoning its low-cost essence!! Spirit has managed to improve its product without making it more expensive. It hasn’t become a luxury airline, but it is a much smarter and more efficient one.
Are we facing a change in perception?
For years, Spirit was the easy target of jokes, negative reviews, and the harshest rankings. But those who have dared to fly with them again recently are discovering something different. Not perfect, but definitely better.
The improvement is starting to show
The truth is, Spirit hasn’t only improved on the inside, it’s also slowly recovering its image. Every flight that pleasantly surprises, every customer who disembarks without complaining, even smiling, is one more step toward the change in perception that the company needs to consolidate this new phase.
The most criticized airline in the United States is making a big change. With a solid loyalty program, passenger experience improvements, and a more useful route strategy, Spirit is writing a different story. Will it be able to leave its bad reputation behind? That’s up to the passengers to say. But what’s clear is that this time, there really are reasons to look at it differently. See you up in the skies!