Those Who Hate Spirit Airlines Simply Do Not Understand It
What a surprise, another article trashing Spirit Airlines. Critics and industry analysts often trash it while the airline cries all the way to the bank. Because it has a huge group of customers that choose Spirit as its default. The reasons for this is simple — Spirit provides reliable and affordable transportation that is unrivaled in the industry.
A recent article at AOL.com was harsh in its treatment of the airline. The headline sets the tone: “This is the airline with the worst customer service in the industry.” The article goes downhill from there:
“Since the Wright brothers first flew Kitty Hawk in 1903, airplanes have come a long way. However, despite the many advantages of air travel, there are also some disadvantages in today’s airline industry, like delays, cancellations, layovers, and travel nightmares involving mishandled baggage.
Price has done many round trips all over the country at rates as low as $25 each way. Good luck getting an UBER or Lyft at that rate from one end of a city to another.
“Surprisingly, the airline with the worst customer service is actually the seventh most-used in the U.S, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Regardless of its apparent popularity, Spirit Airlines boasts the least passenger satisfaction out of any airline, according to a 2019 ASCI survey. By the way, Spirit also has the worst reputation in America.”
Kevin Price, Editor at Large at USA Daily Times and Host of the nationally syndicated Price of Business show, has a new book that just came out that talks about “New Rich” thinking and “Lifestyle Design.” He argues that it isn’t simply about financial largess, but freedom. And Spirit Airlines is a champion for “cheap freedom.” In his new book, “Making ‘New Rich” Books Work for You,” Price argues:
“Recently I went on a trip to Washington DC. Often, I trade media exposure for a Bed and Breakfast, but time did not allow me to do so this time. In spite of that, my 5-day trip still cost me only $400–total. This included plane fare, room, transportation while there, entertainment, and food.
“This is how I achieved that: I fly via Spirit Airlines whenever it is with my own money. Since I get notifications of sales daily, I stumbled on tickets for less than $80 round trip. Spirit is famous for their luggage limits, so I traveled with a backpack, which I loved (I have since moved on to a bag that was designed to meet Spirit’s personal bag limits, which has enough room in it for me to easily pack for over a week). They have made more adjustments, but I am keeping up with them. It is all part of the entertainment value that comes from a good challenge. I hate keeping track of luggage and love walking right past the baggage claim. If I need more clothes than my bag provides, there are these nifty things called laundromats all over the place. That can become part of the travel experience as well!”
Price has rarely had to use a laundromat, and when he has it is at one with “fluff and fold,” and he does a whole week of clothes for less than $20. While his clothes are being washed and dried, he’s out enjoying the city. This is way better than additional bags.
Price has done many round trips all over the country at rates as low as $25 each way. Good luck getting an UBER or Lyft at that rate from one end of a city to another. He flies from Houston to Baltimore for $50 (round trip). Ditto for Houston to Minneapolis, and Houston to Denver. The list goes on. He does have a $9 Club membership (which is $59 a year) to get these rates, but the savings from one trip alone more than pays for it.
The “problem” with Spirit is with the customer and the industry, not the airline. If you abide by its very transparent rules and do not give in to the temptation of bigger or better seats, more bags, first on or off, etc., you will often fly cheaper than using an UBER ride in a city under many circumstances. On the other hand, if you treat it like a traditional airline, you will probably be disappointed. So don’t do that! Treat it for what it is, one of the most cost friendly and innovative airlines in the world.
So who really hates Spirit Airlines and says all those nasty things about it? Probably the many other domestic airlines that simply cannot compete.
We asked Price about all those ugly customer reviews and surveys and he said, “I have been on dozens of Spirit flights and I find their crew as professional as any of the many others I have flown. I have also had only one cancellation — a week after Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, which every airline had cancellations that week. I have had only one delay — which they made up for all but ten minutes in the arrival. Spirit’s record, as far as customer service issues, is astonishing in light of the value of the business and the price per flight.”
So who really hates Spirit Airlines and says all those nasty things about it? Probably the many other domestic airlines that simply cannot compete.
