“Less money, more go” is Spirit Airlines’ motto — which makes sense because the carrier is one of the cheapest carriers to fly the friendly skies. Spirit mainly operates in North America with additional routes to Latin America and the Caribbean.
Founded in 1964 as Clippert Trucking Company. In the 1980s, the company added a small airline service that shuttled passengers to Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and the Bahamas. Now headquartered in Florida with major hubs across the United States, Spirit maintains 157 aircraft and flies to 77 destinations.
The airline is best known for its brightly painted planes.
Spirit Airlines Carry-On Cabin Baggage
The average Spirit Airlines ticket costs about $100. That’s incredibly cheap, and the company can maintain those ultra-low rates because they charge fees for just about everything — especially baggage.
Everyone who flies Spirit can bring one personal item — a purse, backpack, small laptop, etc. — on board. Including handles and wheels, the item mustn’t be larger than 18 in x 14 in x 8 in (45 cm x 35 cm x 20 cm).
How much you’ll pay for additional carry-on bags depends on the flight route. Unlike other carriers, Spirit doesn’t post a definitive table of carry-on luggage prices. Instead, they have a calculator, which you can access here, that spits out the price for your exact situation.
Carry-on luggage cannot be larger than 22 x 18 x10 inches (56 x 46 x 25 cm), which includes handles and wheels.
Try our luggage storage options in the USA.
Spirit Airlines Checked Baggage
Checked baggage isn’t included in the price of your ticket. If you want to bring a suitcase or item larger than carry-on size that doesn’t exceed 40 pounds and 62 linear inches, you must pay. Again, the amount is dependent on your exact flight, and you can check here.
But catch this: Spirit passengers are only allowed to book one piece of luggage per trip — no exceptions! In other words, if you bring two suitcases, they’ll only let you check one and you’d have to find alternative travel arrangements for the second one. Bringing a suitcase and a set of golf clubs is a non-starter.
Use The Stasher App For Convenient Luggage Storage Wherever You Are – Download Now
Spirit Airlines Excess Baggage Policy
Technically speaking, there’s no such thing as “excess baggage” on Spirit Airlines. Passengers are only allowed to check one piece of luggage. That’s it.
However, they do have an overweight / oversized baggage fee schedule for that one piece.
If you want to check a suitcase or other item that weighs between 41 and 100 pounds — and it’s no larger than 80 linear inches — excess baggage fees apply. For anything bigger, you’ll need to secure alternative shipping.
| Size | Excess Baggage Fee |
| 41 to 50 pounds | US $30 |
| 51 to 70 pounds | US $55 |
| 71 to 100 pounds | US $100 |
| 63 to 80 linear inches | US $100 |
| Special items over 80 linear inches | US $150 |
Spirit Airlines Sports Equipment
You can bring sports equipment on Spirit flights — but the same rules apply: you’ll have to pay for it! And while items may exceed the 80-linear-inch size standard, it may not weigh more than 50 pounds.
Note: Between December 1st and January 10th of each year, flights to and from South America do not permit any items that exceed 80 linear inches.
Sports equipment fees follow the oversized and overweight schedule above. Bicycles are US $75 and surfboards US $100.
Spirit Airlines Musical Instruments
If you’ve been reading this page, then you’ve likely already guessed that ticket holders on Spirit Airlines must pay to bring musical instruments. And don’t forget about the one-item rule! If you have a suitcase and a French horn, you’ll only be allowed to check one.
Buying a seat for your musical instrument is always an option. But if it’s too large for seatbelt requirements, you’ll have to figure something else out.
Contact Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines Help Center: https://customersupport.spirit.com/en-US/
Spirit Airlines Toll Free Number: 1 (855) 728-3555
Alternative to Excess Baggage Fees
Dealing with luggage in the airport is a pain in the petudy. It’s worse than walking home in the rain with groceries and no umbrella! And when you add exorbitant fees into the mix, it’s even worse!
So if you’re flying Spirit Airlines and have a lot of luggage, you’ll need to find an alternative shipping option. After all, the carrier only allows passengers to check one suitcase, tops!
That’s where Stasher comes in. An award-winning — yet inexpensive — luggage shipping service, Stasher has helped thousands of travelers get their baggage where it needs to be — and on-time!
The service is a cinch to use. With just a few clicks, you’ll be all set.
Get in touch today to learn more about Stasher’s luggage shipping service for people flying Spirit Airlines.
