What I’ll Miss Most About Spirit Airlines

In case you hadn’t heard, Spirit Airlines is no more. After several failed mergers and two bankruptcies, Spirit has ceased all operations. All flights were canceled, all employees were laid off, and there isn’t even a customer service line to call.

Spirit Airlines was the butt of jokes and ridicule. Even after its demise, it’s still happening:

Among miles and points travelers, it definitely wasn’t the most popular airline for aspirational trips. However, my family has flown on Spirit many times, and I’m a bit bummed that the airline is no longer an option.

What I’ll Miss Most About Spirit Airlines

Undoubtedly Spirit was a no-frills airline. Even water wasn’t free on board. But for short trips to/from Denver when I only had a small backpack, the fares were hard to beat.

However, my favorite thing about Spirit Airlines was the Big Front Seat! This was my kids’ first taste of “first class” seats back in 2017 for just $20 more per seat. The seats were the same size as traditional domestic first class seats, with just two per side and a larger arm rest between seats. Of course, the seats didn’t come with the food and perks of other domestic airlines. But still, it wasn’t a bad way to fly.

In the last several years, the additional price of the Big Front Seat increased a lot. But, sometimes it was still cheaper to fly in Spirit’s Big Front Seat than fly in a regular seat on American Airlines. I’m happy to see that Frontier Airlines is in process of adding a similar seat concept to its aircraft.

My Experience with a Bankrupt Airline

I feel for the travelers who are left stranded and without tickets from Spirit’s cease of operation. In my early 20s, I was affected by a bankrupt airline. I had purchased tickets to fly home to Denver for Christmas on MarkAir. I was working my first job out of college, so money was tight and the price was right. Unfortunately, just a month or two before the holiday, MarkAir ceased operations. I had to call my credit card to dispute the charges, and I was stuck buying a more expensive ticket on another airline. But, at least I wasn’t stranded anywhere!

Are you affected by the Spirit Airlines shutdown? Have you flown on Spirit in the past?