If there’s one airline that continually and consistently ticks off customers, filling my inbox with nearly-identical tales of piss-poor customer service, it’s Spirit. Whether it’s their “club,” their automatic opt-in for travel insurance, or their CEO’s screw-the-customer attitude, customers love to complain about Spirit.
Here’s another reason for them to complain. Reserving your seats in advance now costs you money, with prices varying according to location. It’s not just the front of the plane, or the exit rows, either:
Spirit Airlines now charges its passengers for online seat selection as part of a new policy that took effect May 30. Customers have to fork over $5 for a middle seat, $10 for an aisle, and $15 for a window.
Windows cost more than aisles??! Okay…
But $5 for a middle seat that’s pre-reserved? This might only make sense if you’re traveling with a partner who already paid the $10 or $15 for their seat. Otherwise, you might as well save your money, take your chances, and get seats assigned at check-in.
But if you’re flying on Spirit in the first place, knowing about how dismal their customer service is, taking risks must be right up your alley.
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July 1st, 2008 at 9:27 pm
I see the rationale in making windows more expensive than aisles. Nothing more annoying than trying to sleep and some assclown expects you to get up so he can piss because he can’t plan his wee-wee breaks.
But yeah, the paying to sit in the middle is uber lame. I’d never even consider taking them anyway.
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:12 pm
If only we had a half-dozen more airlines like JetBlue.
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http://meadonmanhattan.wordpress.com/
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Good grief.
The worst part of this is that someone — US Airways? — will inevitably copy this within a few weeks. Who cares about Spirit? It’s the contagion effect that’s far worse.
July 12th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
A typical ‘Spirit’ experience:
We left San Jose, Costa Rica on July 3rd enroute to Orlando. We landed at Ft Lauderdale ahead of schedule, cleared Immigration and then waited 45 mins for our single bag. We arrived at the gate as the door was shut on us and about 25+ others. They denied boarding although the plan remained at the gate another 25 minutes. The insult was the rudeness and lack of concern of their staff, even the ‘Supervisor’- no concern, no support to stranded families, and no admission of their fault. We spent $183 for a car rental, waited overnight at Orlando for a bag (it made the flight). The bag was locked and no one would open the baggage area. Our trip home was over 24 hours of frustration. Beware of Spirit – they will not survive with one-time passengers!
July 20th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
My daugher Arrived in Mayaguez, her bag was still in Fort Lauderdale, it arrived 3 days later. Now, for the show stopper, when she arrived at Laguardia this afternoon (Sunday) her bag was still in Ft. Lauderdale.. Now the real kicker is – the agent at LaGuardia gave me an e mail address for Spirit – after writing a lenghty detailed compalint, it came back Undeliverable. I know why.
July 21st, 2008 at 12:48 pm
[...] – Spirit’s latest indignity: Middle seats for a $5 fee – Spirit Airlines keeps it classy with their M.I.L.F. sale – Spirit Airlines’ CEO flips his [...]
July 27th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
WeLl AlL Of U LoVe complaining SaYiNg jet blue Is BeTtEr AnD any OtHeR airline Is BeTtEr MeAn whil U StIlL fly spirit HoW ignorant Is ThAt I StAy wit jet blue even ThO their fairs ArE higher ThEy StIlL HaVe MoRe direct flight AlL Of U ArE JuSt hipocrets cuz U complain BuT StIlL fly WiTh ThEm WoW
November 18th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
What is next? Do you want a seat belt? $**.00
November 19th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
[...] next thing the airlines are charging is for selecting your seats. Spirit Airline is doing it already!!! $15 for window, $10 for an aisle and $5 for one in the middle. What is [...]