Florida-based budget carrier Spirit Airlines has announced it is to introduce a premium class product akin to other US carriers’ first class cabin onboard its flights. The move comes amid a raft of changes being introduced by the carrier as it seeks to improve its profitability and capitalize on the rise in demand for premium travel options in the US domestic market.
In what the airline is calling a “milestone moment for low-fare travel”, Spirit will offer its customers the option to select a choice of premium experiences on its services. The new premium experiences will complement additional options offered by the carrier to meet the needs of various groups of travelers.
The four new travel options are branded as ‘Go Big’, ‘Go Comfy’, ‘Go Savvy’ and simply ‘Go’, with all four options including the flexibility of no change or cancellation fees.
Modeled largely on the first class products offered by its main US competitors, Spirit’s new premium cabin offering is named ‘Go Big’ and will include a business class style seat located at the front of the aircraft with complimentary snacks and drinks, including alcoholic beverages, all included in the fare. Each of Spirit’s Airbus aircraft will feature two rows of four abreast ‘Go Big’ seats.
The service also includes one carry-on bag, one checked bag, priority check-in and boarding, and streaming access through onboard Wi-Fi connectivity. According to the airline, the new product’s ‘Big Front Seat’ offers enhanced comfort with wider seats, extra legroom, additional seat cushioning, and no middle seat.
Go Big will be available to book and experience starting August 16, 2024, with snacks and drinks included and priority check-in launching on August 27, 2024.
Moving down the plane, the next service offering available will be ‘Go Comfy’. This will introduce a brand-new seating option for Spirit passengers that offers increased comfort and space with a guaranteed blocked middle seat for additional room, similar in design to European airlines’ business class seating. Like, ‘Go Big, the services also include one carry-on bag, one checked bag, priority boarding, plus a snack and non-alcoholic beverages.
Further back in the main economy (coach) cabin is the airline’s ‘Go Savvy’ option which features a standard economy seat, a choice of either one carry-on bag or one checked bag, and standard seat selection during the booking process.
Lastly, the carrier’s new ‘Go’ product offers the “greatest affordability for those who want to keep it simple” says the airline. The service will offer the flexibility to purchase checked bags, standard seat selection, onboard Wi-Fi, and snacks and beverages.
All of the new service offerings will be bookable and live on selected aircraft in the Spirit fleet from August 16, 2024.
In addition to the changes being made to its service offerings, Spirit is also introducing a simpler and user-friendly fee structure. The airline will also eliminate change or cancellation fees for all passengers while also permitting up to 50 lbs (22kg) of checked luggage per passenger and will extend all future travel vouchers for up to 12 months.
Spirit Airlines operates a fleet of 212 Airbus A320 family aircraft with a further 105 aircraft due for delivery over the coming years.
