Spirit Airlines wants you to get comfy with new fare class bundles, quicker boarding

Zach Wichter, USA TODAY
·2 min read

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Spirit Airlines is updating its fare buckets and introducing new options for increased comfort onboard. The airline announced Tuesday that the changes are meant to make it a “friendlier, more comfortable and cost-effective” experience to fly with Spirit.

“We’re unveiling a new era in Spirit’s history and taking low-fare travel to new heights with enhanced options that are unlike anything we’ve offered before,” Spirit Airlines President and CEO Ted Christie said in a statement. “We listened to our guests and are excited to deliver what they want: choices for an elevated experience that are affordable and provide unparalleled value.”

Here’s what’s in store:

Spirit’s new fare buckets

Spirit will begin selling new bundled fares starting Aug. 16 – though some of the options and features won’t fully roll out onboard or in the airport until Aug. 27. These are the new options that will be available next month:

  • Go Big: Spirit has long set itself apart from other low-cost competitors with its Big Front Seats, and now they’ll be included in a new fare bundle. The Go Big option, which goes on sale Aug. 16, includes free snacks and beverages (including alcoholic beverages), one checked and one carry-on bag, priority check-in and boarding, and free Wi-Fi. Free onboard refreshments and priority check-in won’t be available until Aug. 27.

  • Go Comfy: This entirely new fare option includes a guaranteed blocked middle seat, a checked and a carry-on bag, priority boarding, a snack and a non-alcoholic drink. The new onboard and airport experience will be available starting Aug. 27.

  • Go Savvy: This bundle will include a choice of one checked or one carry-on bag as part of the ticket price, and goes on sale Aug. 16.

  • Go: Spirit will continue to sell totally unbundled fares under “Go” branding, which still gives guests the option to buy any add-ons for an additional charge.

Spirit’s new boarding process

Spirit will introduce a new boarding process on Aug. 27 with five boarding groups, including priority boarding for travelers who booked Go Big or Go Comfy fares, as well as some elite frequent flyer program members, Free Spirit World Elite Mastercard holders, and active-duty military members.

The new boarding process is meant to decrease overall boarding time and boost the airline’s on-time performance.

Priority check-in

Priority check-in will be available starting Aug. 27 for travelers who purchased a Go Big fare, as well as for gold elites in the airline’s Free Spirit frequent flyer program and for Free Spirit World Elite Mastercard holders. Priority check-in will be available at select airports including Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale, New York (LGA), Newark and Orlando.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Spirit Airlines updates fare bundles, boarding process and more

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