spirit airlines child seat assignment

Are airlines required to seat families together? Guide to airline family seating policies

Editor's Note

As a mom of three, I'm no stranger to the ins and outs of flying with family .

I know how to disassemble and reassemble my double stroller with ninja-level precision so it will fit through the baggage scanner at security. I also throw screen time rules out the window on travel days. Most importantly, I don't take any chances when it comes to getting my family's seats together when we fly.

Because I know how turbulent flying with kids can be, I happily gave up my seat on a recent solo flight when a father asked if I would switch seats so he could sit with his young son.

I was also quick to say yes because he had a window seat a couple of rows in front of my own window seat. (Had he been in the middle seat, I might have needed an adult beverage thrown in to sweeten the deal, but I digress.)

Related: Should you ask to switch seats on a plane?

The crux of the issue is that it can be costly and confusing to find seats together when traveling with young kids. Some parents assume they will automatically be seated with their kids. Others may end up separated from their families if they are rebooked due to a cancellation. Regardless of the reason, airlines are not legally required to seat families together.

In November 2022, the Department of Transportation began monitoring airline seating policies to determine if federal regulation was necessary regarding family seating.

After months of monitoring, the DOT launched an online dashboard that displays, among other things, which airlines guarantee free family seating. This is part of a larger initiative by the Biden administration to improve consumer protections in the airline industry.

So far, only three airlines – American Airlines , Frontier Airlines and Alaska Airlines – comply with the DOT's guideline that airlines guarantee "adjacent seats for children 13 and under and an accompanying adult at no additional cost for all fare types."

That doesn't mean you are completely out of luck in guaranteeing your family sits together if you are flying on another major airline. Here is a guide to each airline's family seating policy and tips for ensuring your family members can sit together on your next flight.

American Airlines

Like most major airlines, American allows you to choose your seats when booking or at any time leading up to your flight.

There is no fee to choose your seats if you book a first-class, business-class, premium economy or main cabin fare. However, you will have to pay a fee to choose your seats if you choose basic economy tickets — American's least expensive (and most restrictive) fare type.

If you're traveling with children under 15 on any fare type, American's system will detect that you are a family traveling together and automatically search for seats together if you don't choose them yourself. If adjacent seats are unavailable for your entire family, American guarantees children under 15 will be seated next to at least one adult.

Related: Here's what it's really like flying business class with little kids

It's important that you do everything in your power to choose seats for your entire family at the time of booking. This is the only way to guarantee your entire family will sit together during your flight.

To do this, American advises the following :

• Book your entire party's tickets in the same reservation.
• Book your tickets as early as possible, so there are more available seats to choose from.
• It's better to skip seat selection than to choose just a few seats or seats scattered throughout the cabin.

Related: Your ultimate guide to American Airlines AAdvantage

Alaska Airlines

To select your seats at the time of booking on an Alaska flight, you'll need to book either a first-class, premium or main-cabin ticket. Only a limited number of advance seating assignments are available to customers who purchase Alaska's Saver fare tickets.

If no advance seats are available, the seats will be assigned at the gate; this is not ideal for a family wishing to sit together.

The good news is that Alaska Airlines' family seating policy does guarantee that children under 14 will automatically be seated with at least one parent or guardian at no additional charge, including on Saver fares. So, even if you can't find adjacent seats for your entire family, you can rest assured that your children won't be seated separately from an adult.

To guarantee your family sits together on an Alaska Airlines flight :

• Book as early as possible and reserve your family's seats together at the time of purchase.
• Book children on the same reservation as adults.
• Confirm seat selections made through third parties on Alaska Airlines' website or by speaking with a reservations agent by phone.
• If you cannot get reserved seats together with your family during booking, call an Alaska Airlines reservation agent to review available seating options.
• As a last resort, check in online exactly 24 hours before your flight, as this is when most unclaimed seats become available (does not apply to Saver fare seats, which are assigned at the gate on the day of departure).
• Arrive at the gate at least 60 minutes prior to your departure time and speak with a gate agent. Alaska does block a limited number of seats to accommodate families and other needs on a first-come, first-served basis.

Delta Air Lines

All but one of Delta's fare types allow you to select your seats when you purchase your tickets.

If you want your family to sit together, steer clear of Delta's basic economy fares because they do not include advanced seat selection. If you purchase first class, Comfort+ or main cabin tickets, you'll have the option to select your seats during the booking process.

Delta's has other tips for getting your family's seats together :

• Book children on the same reservation as the adults in your party.
• Confirm seat selections made through third parties by calling a Delta reservations agent or going online .
• If you cannot obtain seats together with your family, contact Delta by phone to review your options or, as a last resort, speak with a Delta gate agent at the airport.

Delta does try and seat family members together but only upon request.

Flight attendants will sometimes ask for volunteers to switch seats. The airline also blocks a handful of rows in the main economy cabin on most flights to accommodate groups and families. Still, there are no guarantees unless you reserve your family's seats together before arriving at the airport (preferably at the time of booking).

Frontier Airlines

Frontier's base fares can be alluring to budget-conscious flyers. However, you'll have to pay extra if you want the luxury of advanced seating assignments.

Luckily, Frontier updated its family seating policy to be in compliance with the DOT's recommendations and guarantees that children under age 14 will be seated automatically with at least one parent or guardian at no additional charge.

Unless you have elite status with Frontier , seat selection fees run between $17 and $90 per passenger per flight segment. There are no fare types that include complimentary seat selection for non-elite members if you want your entire family to sit together.

However, you could potentially make up the extra cost by joining Frontier's Discount Den and choosing a Kids Fly Free flight .

Frontier also recommends that families:

• Book as early as possible and purchase advance seat reservations at the time of booking.
• Book children on the same reservation as adults in your party.
• If you book through a third party, visit Frontier's website as soon as possible to purchase advance seat selections.
• Check in as early as possible online or through Frontier's mobile app and Frontier will assign group seats together if any are available.
• If your family is not assigned seats together, speak with a gate agent for assistance.

JetBlue offers complimentary seat selection with all fare types except Blue Basic, meaning Blue and Blue Extra fares include free advance seat selection. However, for Blue Basic fares, there is a fee of between $5 and $40 each way to choose your seat more than 24 hours before departure (Seat selection is available for free at check-in).

With JetBlue's family seating policy , however, the airline guarantees that children ages 13 and younger will be seated next to at least one adult traveling with them on the same reservation without an additional fee. This applies to all fare types, including Blue Basic fares. At the time of booking, JetBlue's system will assign seats together for at least one accompanying parent as long as adjacent seats are still available when you book your flight.

Other tips from JetBlue :

• Book as early as possible for maximum seat selection availability.
• Confirm seat selections made through a third party on JetBlue's website.
• If you cannot obtain seats together at the time of booking, contact a JetBlue agent at check-in or talk to one at the gate. They will do their best to seat your family together.

JetBlue does its best to keep families together and blocks a limited number of rows until the day of travel for passengers with disabilities and unaccompanied minors . If any seats are available after accommodating these passengers, JetBlue may be able to use them to seat families together.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines is the one airline on this list that does not assign seats in advance, so you cannot purchase a specific seat assignment ahead of time.

With Southwest's open seating policy , you will be assigned a boarding group (A, B or C) and a position within that boarding group (1 through 60-plus) at check-in. Essentially, A1 is the best boarding position and you'll have the most seating options available to you when you board the plane.

Because of this, the strategies for getting your family's seats together on a Southwest flight differ from other airlines.

Check in on time

To get as high of a boarding group as possible, you'll need to check in exactly (like, to the second) 24 hours prior to your flight. This should land your family in an A or B boarding group, and most of the time, you won't have an issue getting your family's seats together. You may have to venture to the back of the plane to find those seats, though.

Utilize family boarding

If you have a B or C boarding group and are traveling with a child 6 years old or younger, you will have the option to board between the A and B groups during "family boarding."

Southwest's policy states that up to two adults can board with a child age 6 or younger during family boarding. If you have more adults than this in your party, speak with a Southwest gate agent to determine your best strategy for finding seats together once on board.

Related: Southwest Airlines offers expanded family boarding ages on some flights

Purchase EarlyBird Check-In or Upgraded Boarding

You can also purchase EarlyBird Check-In , which gives you the convenience of automatic check-in 36 hours before your flight. (Southwest's regular check-in process begins 24 hours prior to your flight.) This means you'll automatically receive an earlier boarding position and more available seats to choose from than if you'd done it yourself.

EarlyBird Check-In pricing starts at $15 per passenger per flight segment, and you must purchase it for everyone in your party. Depending on availability, you may also be able to purchase Upgraded Boarding at the gate for between $30 and $50 per person per flight segment to secure an A1-A15 boarding position.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card holders can receive two EarlyBird Check-Ins per year, which can bring the total cost for your family down a bit. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card also has a benefit of four Upgraded Boardings per year.

Rapid Rewards A-List and A-List Preferred members (and those traveling on the same reservation) automatically receive a boarding position 36 hours prior to departure, though you will still need to check in within 24 hours of your flight to receive your boarding pass.

The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Buy a Business Select fare

Finally, you have the option to purchase a Business Select fare, which, among other perks, includes priority boarding in the A1-A15 group.

Speak with an agent

If you don't heed our advice and find yourself at the airport with a less-than-desirable boarding group, Southwest advises that you speak with a gate agent or flight attendant. They will see if any passengers are willing to move to accommodate your family if you aren't able to get seats together.

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines keeps its family seating advice plain and simple: The only way to guarantee you'll be able to sit with your family is to purchase your seat assignments ahead of time.

Seat assignments start at $5 per person per segment and vary by route and seat location in the aircraft. You can purchase your seat assignment when you book your flight, during check-in or anytime in between. However, the earlier you choose the seats, the better chance your entire family will be able to sit together.

Spirit currently has no official family seating policy. It only states that it "can't guarantee that you'll sit with your friends and family" if you don't purchase seat assignments; it says that gate agents will work to provide adjacent seats for guests flying with children aged 13 and under whenever possible.

There are ways to save money when purchasing your seats, though. Spirit Saver$ Club members receive low fares and discounted prices for add-ons like bags and seats. There is an annual fee, but if you have a large family or plan on flying Spirit Airlines often, the cost may be less than purchasing seats for your entire group.

Speaking of frequent flying, members of Spirit's Free Spirit loyalty program at the Gold level receive, among other perks, free seat selection at the time of booking. Unlike Frontier's program, Spirit's elite status perks, such as seat selection, do not confer to other members on the reservation.

United Airlines

United is also among the few airlines committed to helping families sit together on flights. United's family seating policy guarantees families with children under age 12 in certain cabins can sit together for free, regardless of fare type.

Now, United's new "dynamic seat map feature" will enable passengers to book two seats together for travelers under 12 and an adult companion for free, including on basic economy fares.

You'll probably want to avoid basic economy on United if you want your party to stay together. United explicitly states on its website that it's not able to guarantee your entire party will be able to sit together if you purchase a basic economy fare and do not purchase advance seat assignments.

Here are a few more helpful tips for families flying United :

• Book your tickets as early as possible and reserve your family's seats together when booking.
• Confirm seat selections made through a third party.
• If only scattered seats are available at the time of booking, you are better off letting United's system automatically choose seats for you because it will attempt to seat families on the same reservation with unassigned seats together.
• If you do not select seats in advance, United's system will attempt to find adjoining seats for you and your children under 15 on the same reservation, regardless of fare type.
• If you cannot obtain seats together, arrive early at your departure gate and speak with a gate agent. They will ask for volunteers to move seats and help accommodate your family.

General tips

There is a lot of overlap with the guidance for getting your family's seats together on most U.S. airlines (with Southwest being the exception).

You want to do everything possible to:

• Book early and select seats when you book. Do not wait until the last minute to check your seat assignments.
• Avoid saver or basic fares because they often do not offer complimentary seat selection.
• Choose your family's seats when booking, whether it's included with your fare or you have to pay an additional fee.
• If you are unable to get your family's seats together at the time of booking, call the airline and speak with a reservations agent to determine the best course of action.
• Keep checking seat availability in the months and weeks leading up to your flight, especially in the final week before your trip and again 24 hours before your flight. These are the times when people make last-minute changes or elite flyers receive automatic seat upgrades, freeing up space on the seating map.
• If you arrive at the airport and still haven't been able to secure your family's seats together, politely ask a gate agent or flight attendant for help. You may still have the option to pay for an upgrade, or they can assist you by finding open seats. It may be too late to do anything official, but they'll be much more willing to help if you approach them with kindness.

Related: Where to sit on a plane with 2 small kids

Bottom line

Sometimes kind travelers will help parents who end up in a bind onboard, but there's no guarantee. Luckily, airlines are falling in line and making it easier for families traveling together to sit together.

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

How Families Can Get Seats Together on a Plane

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Booking airfare is a lot more complicated than it used to be. Should you choose basic economy or main cabin ? Do you want the “bundle” or would you rather pay “a la carte”? And how much are you willing to pay for a seat? 

Seat selection is a particularly thorny issue for those traveling with kids. Now that airlines charge to select “preferred” seats, such as those near the front or by the aisle or window, families can pay hundreds of dollars simply for the privilege to sit together on a round-trip flight. 

United recently announced a new family seating policy that allows kids 12 years old and under to sit next to an accompanying adult on basic economy fares at no extra cost. American Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Frontier also guarantee complimentary family seating.

Is paying extra for seats an inevitability for families? Or can these pesky fees be minimized or circumvented altogether? And why do they even exist in the first place? 

What are seat selection fees?

Seat selection fees have become more common for a reason — they drive a lot of revenue for airlines. Low-cost airlines Spirit and Frontier earned roughly half of their revenue from “ancillary fees” in 2020, according to a report by IdeaWorksCompany, an industry analytics firm. 

Ancillary fees also tend to mislead consumers. In one 2020 study in the journal Marketing Science, participants who saw ancillary fees “dripped” throughout the checkout process ended up paying more overall than those who saw the total costs upfront. So a $20 fee to select a seat might not seem like much, but it can add up quickly, and can transform an apparently cheap airfare into a pricey one. 

The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued a notice to improve transparency on some ancillary airline fees, such as those for carry-on bags. But so far seat selection fees are getting a pass, which means they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. 

How to sit together on a flight

Are airlines required to seat families together? No. That said, the DOT notice specifically calls for more transparency for parents who are trying to select a seat for their young children.

Until the rules change, however, parents are stuck with a tough choice: Cough up the cash to ensure the family sits together or skip seat selection and risk getting separated. For example, Spirit says gate agents and flight attendants will try to sit parents with children under the age of 14, but it cannot guarantee it.

To select a seat without overpaying, try to: 

Choose seats in the back half of the plane. These usually carry fewer or no fees to select, and are the last to be selected by other passengers. 

Pick an airline with lower seat selection fees (see below). 

Avoid basic economy fares. These often carry restrictions on seat selection, and make family travel especially difficult.

Remember that children under two years old can fly for free and do not require a seat (though some parents prefer to buy a seat anyway). 

Seat selection is always optional, whether flying solo or with a family of 10. It might seem nerve-wracking to head to the airport without confirmed seat assignments, but many families do it as a way to save money. 

Yes, you can skip seat selection

While airlines want to make it seem like families have to select seats in order to sit together, it’s rarely this black and white. Most gate agents will work with families — even those without seat assignments — to get everyone seated together, when possible. It might mean bumping the family further back in the plane, but young children will not be left unattended with strangers (for everyone’s sake). 

In other words, you can skip seat selection altogether and (usually) remain seated with your companions. 

Skipping seat selection doesn’t mean you or your family won’t get a seat. It just means you’ll have to wait until later in the process to get one assigned. 

Skipping this step might not be as easy as it sounds. Many airlines now include seat selection as part of the checkout process and make it seem like selecting — and paying for — a seat is a required step. Frontier Airlines even pops up a warning if you try to skip selection, making the case for why it’s so great (and burying the “no thanks” option in the corner).

If you don’t want to pay these fees, find a way to skip this step, and don’t get scared by the pop-ups and warnings the airlines use to make it seem mandatory. 

Which airlines charge the most? 

Discount airlines like Spirit and Frontier may have pioneered the a la carte airfare model, but traditional airlines have jumped on board in order to compete. Not all airlines charge the same amount — or charge for seat selection at all. 

NerdWallet performed an analysis of seat selection fees by comparing several routes across the major U.S. airlines. This revealed that some are charging far more for seat selection than others. 

Southwest Airlines is not included here, because it’s an outlier: It doesn’t charge for — or allow — seat selection at all. 

So, which airlines don't charge for seat selection? Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines are the only airlines that allow passengers to select a seat for free, though it may be near the back of the plane. 

American, Delta, Frontier and Spirit all charged more than $10 each way for seat selection, even for lousy seats. Passengers should skip these airlines (or the seat selection process altogether) if they want to avoid such high fees. 

Watch out for 'upgrades'

Another airline invention from the past decade: Charging extra for “main cabin preferred” (or similar) seats that offer little more than a few inches of extra legroom. These seats often look similar to regular economy seats in the seat selection screen, but can carry hefty fees. 

For example, an exit row seat on a nonstop Delta flight from Atlanta to Seattle cost $130 each way, or $260 more total — on a $358 flight. This 73% markup might make sense for particularly long-legged passengers, but for most travelers, these “upgrades” aren’t worth it. 

To make it even more confusing, many airlines now have “ premium economy ” or “main cabin comfort” seats that do offer benefits like free drinks and priority boarding. The benefit of these seats varies considerably by airline. Some offer wider, more comfortable seats, while others offer standard seats, but throw in a free alcoholic drink and snack plate. 

For children with short legs and little need for a cocktail, the markup on these upgraded seats is usually wasted. 

The edge of your seat

Airlines want to charge you to select a seat because it costs them nothing. This incentive has led many airlines to push harder and harder, making “seat selection fees” seem like an unavoidable add-on charge for most fares. 

For families, this decision is particularly fraught. Who wants to get separated from their preschooler on a six-hour flight? Yet it’s rarely so straightforward. Many families skip seat selection fees and end up sitting together, no problem. 

For some people, the peace of mind that comes with knowing where the whole family will be seated is well worth the fee. For others, avoiding the fee and relying on the gate agents (and fellow passengers) to shuffle around works just fine.

It really comes down to risk tolerance.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology .

20 Frequently Asked Questions About Flying Spirit Airlines

James Larounis

Senior Content Contributor

547 Published Articles 1 Edited Article

Countries Visited: 30 U.S. States Visited: 35

Michael Y. Park

15 Published Articles 158 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 60+ U.S. States Visited: 50

Stella Shon

News Managing Editor

87 Published Articles 626 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 25 U.S. States Visited: 22

Final Thoughts

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Spirit Airlines is one of several U.S. ultra-low-cost carriers, but with a restrictive fare model and no-frills planes, it’s not necessarily for everyone.

There are many complexities and restrictions that many travelers aren’t aware of when booking Spirit tickets, since its tickets only include the bare bones. So we’re here to look in depth at some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to flying Spirit Airlines. These include:

• How the airline operates
• How the ticketing process works
• Ticketing restrictions
• Ticketing fees and how to avoid them
• Seating options

Let’s dive right in.

1. What Is Spirit Airlines, and What Is Its Basic Business Model?

Spirit is an American ultra-low-cost airline that operates flights in the U.S., the Caribbean, Latin America, and South America.

The airline is headquartered in Miramar, Florida, with hubs in Atlanta (ATL), Atlantic City (ACY), Chicago (ORD), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Detroit (DTW), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Houston (IAH), Las Vegas (LAS), Miami (MIA), and Orlando (MCO).

It has a fleet size of about 200 aircraft that fly to more than 80 destinations worldwide, primarily within North America. The company slogan is “Less Money. More Go.”

As of 2023, Spirit Airlines has the following aircraft:

• Airbus A319-100
• Airbus A319neo (on order)
• Airbus A320-200
• Airbus A320neo
• Airbus A321-200
• Airbus A321neo (on order)

2. Why Is Spirit Airlines Considered Ultra-Low-Cost?

Spirit Airlines offers great deals and incredibly low-priced air tickets to its customers — there’s no secret about that. The base fare can be as low as $29 , sometimes even lower.

How does can it afford to sell fares for so low? In March 2007, Spirit changed its fare model by removing amenities (which inflate the base ticket price on other carriers). Spirit charges a low base fare, and customers must pay for carry-ons, drinks, food, seats with additional legroom, and baggage. The more amenities included, the more a ticket costs.

So, to capture its market, Spirit reduces the cost of a ticket and lets passengers buy all ancillary items, like seat selection or checked luggage , separately. This enables the carrier to earn extra revenue while posting fares much lower than traditional legacy carriers.

3. Do I Have to Purchase a Seat on Spirit Airlines?

You must purchase a ticket to fly on any of Spirit’s flights. The base fare is usually between $29 to $39 for cheaper tickets, though it could cost less or much more. Seats are assigned randomly at check-in — specific seat selection is not included in your ticket price unless you pay extra for it in advance.

That means there’s no guarantee that you’ll get to sit with family and friends unless you pay to choose seats. So if you are traveling with companions, take your time to read the Spirit Airlines policies, and purchase seats ahead of travel.

Bottom Line: Seat selection isn’t included with your ticket on Spirit, so you’ll need to pay more if you want to choose where to sit.

4. Can I Purchase a Seat Assignment While I Book My Ticket?

Yes, though Spirit considers this an á la carte option. To choose a seat you want, you have to pay for seat assignment, starting at $5.

You can also pick what’s known as a Big Front Seat, which is essentially a first-class-style seat, though with fewer perks. This upgrade starts at around $40. A Big Front Seat has 32% more legroom and no middle seat — prime real estate!

To view the seat prices for a specific flight, check the Seat page when booking online. You can also look under My Trips or the Online Check-in page within 24 hours of departure.

5. How Can I Book My Flight and Get My Boarding Pass?

Visit spirit.com for the quickest way to book your flight and get your boarding pass for free.

Start by signing in with your credentials. If you do not have an account, create one (it’s called a Free Spirit account). This only takes a few minutes; you can log in and print your pass at home.

Once you have created an account and signed in, select the Book tab. The page will display the following options:

• Round-trip, one-way, or multi-city
• Departure and return location
• Departure and return dates
• Number of adults and children

After you add the required details, click Search Flights.  You’ll see results on the page, where you can book your flight. If you have a promo code, the website lets you to enter it at checkout.

Once you finish the process, you can print your boarding pass. This is also a good time to buy a seat assignment, since these options are less expensive online than in person at the airport.

6. Can I Print My Boarding Pass at the Airport?

Yes, Spirit Airlines has simple self-service kiosks where you can purchase tickets and print boarding passes in minutes. (If you need assistance, there are customer service agents nearby.) You should complete your check-in or purchase of tickets at least 1 hour before departure .

Boarding passes are available at the check-in counter, but customers will be charged $10 to print a single boarding pass. So if you want to save, print your boarding pass at home.

Bottom Line: When it comes to Spirit bookings or boarding passes, avoid talking to a human if you don’t want to pay extra! At the airport, there are significant fees even to do simple tasks.

7. Who Can’t Check in Online To Fly With Spirit?

Here is a list of travelers who may not be able to complete check-in online:

• Unaccompanied minors
• Travelers with a lap infant
• Travelers with a military ID and no passport
• Non-U.S. citizens traveling from outside the U.S.
• Travelers who have purchased special items or extra seats
• Travelers who have made a group reservation of 10 or more
• Travelers with pets or service animals

These guests are required to check in at the airport counter. Unlike others who will be charged $10 when printing boarding passes at the airport, the guests listed above will have the $10 fee waived .

8. Can I Travel With an Infant on My Lap?

Yes, you are allowed to travel with an infant on your lap. Before departure, you should check in with Spirit staff . Spirit Airlines provides the following guidelines when it comes to traveling with an infant:

• Adult travelers (ages 15 and up) can carry 1 child per lap
• Infants under 7 days old or requiring life support systems like an incubator are not allowed to board (as is the case with most airlines)
• Car seats are not allowed in the emergency exit rows or any row close to the emergency exit
• Child car seats and lap children are not allowed to occupy seats with inflatable seatbelts
• You can add a lap child when booking online

Fees and taxes are applicable when an infant accompanies you . The amount charged depends on the destination.

9. Can Unaccompanied Minors Travel on Spirit Airlines?

Unaccompanied minors can travel alone, but only on domestic direct flights (within the U.S., the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico). They cannot travel unaccompanied on international flights , domestic flights where an aircraft change is scheduled, or connecting flights.

During flights, unaccompanied minors are taken care of by the airline staff. They will be offered snacks and beverages for a fee, just like any passenger. Unlike most legacy carriers, Spirit will not help children with gate transfers in connecting cities .

Here are the guidelines guests should follow when booking flights for unaccompanied minors:

• Inform Spirit Airlines staff that you are booking an unaccompanied minor
• Check in at the gate together with the minor at least 1 hour before departure
• Request a gate pass when dropping off the child (available at the reservation counter)
• Guests must accompany the child to the gate and remain within the gate area until the flight takes off (about 15 minutes after boarding)
• Unaccompanied minors will be released to the person indicated on the unaccompanied minor form or to a Spirit Airlines employee

10. Can I Cancel or Change My Flight Reservation?

Yes, but you will be charged a fee if it’s too close to the flight date. Here are the current cancellation and change charges:

Customers who purchase Flight Flex can change their ticket for free up to 24 hours before departure.

Spirit Airlines allows changes or cancellation requests to be made up to 1 hour before departure. If you cancel your reservation 0 to 60 days before departure, any remaining balance is issued as credit. If you cancel via Spirit’s Airlines online portal, you will be issued a $10 voucher (one-way) applicable on future travels, provided the reservation charge is less than the cancellation fee.

To make changes or cancel yourself, sign in to your account and click My Trips . If you prefer not to do it yourself, you can text 48763 or 855-728-3555 on WhatsApp, direct message Spirit on social media, call 855-728-3555, or speak to a Spirit agent at the airport. You can also visit the reservations desk, but may be charged for this service.

You can learn more about canceling in this post: How To Cancel a Spirit Airlines Flight [Points or Cash Ticket] .

Bottom Line: Canceling or changing a ticket can cost you (at least $39 if you do it online). 

11. Can I Change My Name on a Spirit Reservation?

Yes, you’re allowed to change a name that’s misspelled by a few characters. Doing so is free of charge. To change your misspelled name, contact Spirit Airlines’ customer support team.

You can also request a change of your legal name, though you must provide reasons for the change and supporting documents (like a divorce decree, marriage license, or court order). You can request a name change online. Visit spirit.com/help — at the bottom, you should find an option to attach your documents.

If you need to change your contact information, date of birth, passport number, or gender, contact the Spirit’s reservations center or email the customer support team. Remember to have copies of your legal documents.

12. Can I Travel With My Mobility Aid or Wheelchair on Spirit?

Yes, Spirit Airlines accepts mobility aids and wheelchairs for travelers. You can carry these devices onto your flight at no charge . To check your mobility aid or wheelchair, visit the ticket or gate counter.

If you’re traveling with a battery-powered mobility aid or wheelchair, we recommend arriving at the airport 2 hours before departure to ensure it’s handled properly. Officials at the ticket counter will recommend that you carry any detachable items like footrests or seat cushions on board yourself. If this is not an option, they may be stowed in the cargo bin.

To make your check-in process fast and smooth, Spirit requests that guests provide the airport crew with written instructions on handling the wheelchair or mobility aid and recommends bringing your user manual. You can also fill in a mobility aid information form .

13. What Are Spirit’s Baggage Fees?

Spirit Airlines allows travelers to check in with 1 personal item the size of a small box (such as a small backpack, handbag, or purse). These items are included in your base fare, so you will not be charged extra. However, Spirit will charge for extra baggage and some personal items.

If you plan on carrying extra luggage, check in online before departure ! The charge for your extra items will be lower if you add them when booking your flight than if you wait and do it at the airport. Fees for carry-on bags start at $31.

Hot Tip: Prepay your bags when you purchase your trip to reduce expenses incurred at the airport.

Personal items allowed by Spirit’s airport crew at no charge include cameras, assistive devices, umbrellas, coats, wraps, hats, and books. Head and neck pillows are allowed, but they must fit inside your backpack or bag.

There’s a common misconception that true low-cost carriers such as Spirit don’t allow small personal items on board — which is why we’re so thorough in mentioning everything you can and cannot bring with you.

Bottom Line: If you’re carrying on a bag (non-personal item), you could pay north of $50.

14. Where Can I Check the Size and Weight Limits for Bags?

Spirit Airlines allows personal items or backpacks under 18 x 14 x 8 inches, including wheels and handles.

The maximum dimensions for a carry-on bag are 22 x 18 x 10 inches. If your carry-on is too big to be stowed safely in the cargo bin, you must check it (and pay extra).

For checked bags, it’s a maximum of 62 total linear inches (the sum of the height, width, and depth, in inches) and 40 pounds. Bags weighing over 40 pounds are charged more because they require special handling, and extra weight means the plane has to use more fuel during flight. Bags over 100 pounds cannot be accepted.

Certain regions, such as South America, have additional baggage restrictions, so be sure to check the Spirit website before you go to the airport.

Hot Tip: If you’re planning to travel with a checked or carry-on bag, make sure to check it online! Doing so at the airport will cost more.

15. Can I Carry My Personal Dialysis Machine, Insulin Device, or Other Medical Devices on Board?

Yes, Spirit Airlines allows you to carry a portable dialysis machine on board at no extra cost, and it doesn’t count toward your baggage allowance. Your device should not exceed 22 inches by 18 inches by 10 inches.

Although Spirit allows you to carry on these medical devices, it prohibits using the machine during the flight. The planes do not have compatible electrical plugs to charge or power medical devices.

Passengers are welcome to carry insulin on board, but it’s recommended that guests inform airline staff about the insulin before boarding. Insulin is normally stored in special bags aboard the flight for safekeeping.

Like other medical devices, insulin will not incur a fee during check-in. However, if your insulin is in a bag together with other personal items (like socks, electronics, and clothing), you might owe a fee for the other personal items if the weight exceeds the recommended limit.

For more information about traveling with insulin and other medical assistive devices, check the TSA website .

16. Can I Carry My Sports Equipment on Board?

It depends. You can carry some sports equipment on your flight. All checked sports equipment, such as hockey sticks, tennis racquets, and others, are charged just like a standard checked bag and stored in the hold. The sports equipment should be secured inside a bag. Spirit will charge you for a separate bag if they are not packed securely in the bag.

Spirit Airlines only permits non-battery-operated and non-motorized skateboards. Electric or battery-operated skateboards and other sports equipment cannot be checked (batteries can contain hazardous materials that can endanger other travelers and the plane).

Sports items not within the normal carry-on dimensions will be checked in the hold, and you will be charged a checked baggage fee .

17. Can I Fly With a Musical Instrument?

Musical instruments such as ukuleles, violins, guitars, cellos, accordions, saxophones, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars are considered fragile. To prevent damage, pack your musical instruments in a case.

Instruments are charged like any other checked bag, meaning you’ll have to pay the checked bag price and any overweight charges. You must also sign a release form before departure that relieves Spirit of liability for damage or loss of the musical instrument.

18. What Is the Spirit Saver$ Club? How Do I Join, and What Are the Benefits?

Distinct from the Free Spirit program, Spirit has a program called the Spirit Saver$ Club (formerly known as the $9 Fare Club). This club offers benefits, including discounted fares, baggage fees, seats, and time-saving options for a fee of $69.95 for 12 months, $99.90 for 18 months, or $129.90 for 24 months. You could offset the membership fee above in as little as 1 booking, so the savings are potentially significant!

To join the Spirit Saver$ Club, you are required to register online and submit the following details:

• First, middle, and last name
• Date of birth
• Email address
• Contact information

You’ll also have to provide your billing information. Spirit Airlines accepts major credit cards and other popular payment systems, and your membership is renewed each year automatically unless canceled.

Benefits of joining the Spirit Saver$ Club include:

• Exclusive discounted fares for yourself and up to 8 additional guests
• Up to 50% off on checked and carry-on bags for you and up to 8 additional guests
• Your entire party will save on every seat, including the Big Front Seat and exit rows
• Save on elements like Shortcut Security, Shortcut Boarding, and Flight Flex
• Exclusive offers with Spirit partners
• Discounted seats, shortcut security, and shortcut boarding

19. What Is the Free Spirit Frequent Flyer Program?

Free Spirit is a free rewards program created by Spirit Airlines to reward its customers for flying Spirit on an ongoing basis. To join the program, you must fill out a membership form with the following details:

A welcome email with your account information is sent to your inbox if registration is successful. Alternatively, you can become a Free Spirit member when you book your first flight.

Benefits of the Free Spirit Program include:

• Earn points when you fly with Spirit Airlines and partners
• Buy or gift points to family members and friends (Gold and Silver elite members can also pool points)
• Use the points for travel
• Track the points earned
• Book and manage your reservations faster

You can book and manage your flight reservation using Spirit Airlines mobile app on Apple or Android. If you have questions about bookings and managing your reservations within the program, call Spirit Airlines at 801-401-2222.

20. How Can I Save by Booking a Spirit Ticket at the Airport?

Strangely enough, you can save upwards of $19 per ticket if you book at the airport . This is the opposite of most of Spirit’s policies, where speaking to someone at the airport incurs a fee.

Because airlines must pay a federal excise task on base fares, Spirit tries to avoid paying this tax by adding an $18.99 passenger usage fee to tickets booked over the phone or online. This fee is not a tax and is included in most online and phone booking scenarios. In this way, Spirit can increase what is essentially the fare of the ticket so it doesn’t incur the additional tax.

Because the fee is only applied to online or phone bookings, you can avoid this $18.99 charge by booking at the airport. When you arrive at the airport, speak to a customer service representative to get around paying this nuisance fee.

When you get to the counter, let them know your preferred travel dates and routing, and they’ll price out the itinerary for you, less the $18.99 fee. While this does save you money on your ticket cost, you need to weigh the cost of driving to the airport and getting this done, which could be more expensive than just paying the fee at home.

Bottom Line: It may sound counterintuitive, but booking a ticket at the airport can save you money.

There are many nuances to booking Spirit tickets, but with a little know-how, it’s easy to figure things out and save a few bucks. Spirit can save you a ton of money when you travel, and understanding its processes and policies will help you maximize the experience and not overpay.

The information regarding the Free Spirit ® Travel Mastercard ® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Free Spirit ® Travel More World Elite Mastercard ® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the spirit airlines baggage fees.

Spirit Airlines allows travelers to check in with 1 personal item the size of a small box (such as a small backpack, handbag, or purse). These items are included in your base fare, so you will not be charged extra fees.

However, Spirit will charge for extra baggage and some personal items. If you plan on carrying extra luggage, check in online before departure ! The charge for your extra items will be lower if you add them when booking your flight than if you wait and do it at the airport. Fees for carry-on bags run north of $25.

Do you have to choose a seat with Spirit?

You do not have to select a seat. If you choose not to, you will be assigned one at random. If you do want to select your seat, you’ll have to do it in advance and pay extra.

What is the Spirit Saver$ Club? What happened to the $9 Fare Club?

Distinct from the Free Spirit program, the Spirit Saver$ Club (formerly known as the $9 Fare Club), launched in 2021. This club offers benefits like discounted fares, baggage fees, seats, and time-saving options for a fee of $69.95 for 12 months, $99.90 for 18 months, or $129.90 for 24 months. The new benefits, compared to the $9 Fare Club, are the discounted seats and time-saving options.

Does Spirit Airlines have a credit card?

Spirit Airlines partners with Bank of America, the issuer of its co-branded credit cards. You will earn Spirit Airlines points directly with the Free Spirit® Travel More World Elite Mastercard® and Free Spirit® Travel Mastercard® .

Does Spirit have an awards chart?

Redemptions start at 2,500 points and are dynamically priced. When searching for your flight on spirit.com , select Points  as your payment type to see the total points required.

Was this page helpful?

About James Larounis

James (Jamie) started The Forward Cabin blog to educate readers about points, miles, and loyalty programs. He’s spoken at Princeton University and The New York Times Travel Show and has been quoted in dozens of travel publications.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE ™

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy and terms of service apply.

UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

How do I select seats on Spirit Airlines?

Seat Selection is the mandatory step to ensure a peaceful journey in the air.  If you are flying with Spirit Airlines and want to complete your journey with your travel companion, it’s best to initiate the Spirit Airlines Seat Selection process. The airline offers multiple seating choices, so you can pick the one that matches your taste and preferences.

Whether you like standard seats or extra legroom, you have plenty of options to complete your journey comfortably. What are you waiting for? Open the seat map, and reserve your favorite seat without any additional effort. Keep browsing the guide and find all the tidbits about the airline’s seat selection policy here.

How to choose seats on Spirit Airlines?

Before any further ado, let’s first outline the step-by-step instructions to select your seats on Spirit flights. Passengers can make a seat selection either during booking or after purchasing the flight ticket. Let’s break down these methods in detail.

When making a booking

• Firstly, you need to visit the official website of Spirit Airlines.
• Enter your requested details in the given search engine and look for available flights.
• Pick the suitable option and move further to the Seat Selection.
• Go through the seat map.
• Now, check out the seat availability and reserve your preferred seats effortlessly.

After confirming a flight reservation

• If you have confirmed your flight reservation, you can reserve your seats through the “My Trips” option.
• Firstly, go to Spirit Airlines.
• Choose “My Trips” on the homepage.
• Either login to your account with your credentials or find your trip with your details.
• After that, retrieve your reservation details, and locate the “Spirit Airlines Seat Selection” option.
• Pick your seat, and pay for it immediately to ensure a comfortable flight.

With these quick steps, you can conveniently choose your seats. Moreover, you can connect with airline executives to book your seats hassle-free.

Spirit Airlines seat selection - Everything you need to know!

While Spirit Airlines allows passengers to choose their seats in advance, its seat selection policy comes with stringent terms and conditions that everyone should be aware of. So, before you jump into the process, it’s best to find everything about the Spirit Airlines Seat Selection Policy here to avoid any last-minute hassles.

• Seat Selection on Spirit Airlines is subject to availability. Passengers must choose their preferred seat to fly with their travel companions.
• If you don’t select seats in advance, you will get a random seat on the flight at check-in.
• If you are with a child 13 years or younger, the flight attendants will try to make you sit together if possible.
• The Spirit Airlines seat selection fee starts from as low as $5. However, the fee will vary based on your location on the flight and your route. 
• One can check out the seat selection fee while booking online, through My Trips, or during the check-in procedure.
• Additionally, you must opt for Big Front Seats if you want a little bit more.
• These seats are deluxe leather seats and are located in the first rows of the flight. With 32% more legroom, these seats are wider than other seats.

What are the Spirit Airlines seating options?

Spirit Airlines offers multiple seating options to cater to varied tastes and preferences. Whether a Big Front Seat or a Standard one, the airline has something for every budget. So, before you initiate the Spirit Airlines select Seats process, it’s better to find detailed information about the seating choices here.

Big Front Seats

Located at the front of the flight, these seats are the best option if you don’t want to compromise your comfort and convenience. Once you choose these seats for your journey, you will land totally refreshed regardless of the distance of your flight. Moreover, you will get a small table as well to keep your essentials.

Premium Seats 

Premium Seats are situated behind the Big Front Seats and have extra legroom. You can easily stretch your legs to complete your journey in comfort. Flyers with Premium Seats get a small table also. Therefore, these are perfect seating options for passengers who want extra comfort but don’t want to pay for Big Front Seats.

Standard Seats

Standard seats offer enough legroom to make your journey comfortable. Moreover, you can easily choose these seats at low fares when booking flight tickets or via My Trips.

Exit Row Seats

The seat selection procedure of Spirit Airlines allows you to sit on the Exit Row Seats as well. However, these seats offer extra legroom but come with additional responsibilities. To sit on these seats, you have to be able to operate the emergency exit if there is an emergency.

Summing it up

Ready to select your seat in advance? If you wish to make sure of an enjoyable flight experience, you must prefer select your seats beforehand and rest assured about when boarding the flight. Moreover, you have different options for sitting, so you can choose a desired seat to enjoy your trip to the fullest. Still here? Don’t wait further and pick your preferred option now to navigate the sky with ease.

Exclusive Deals

+1-(856) 545-5988

How Families Can Sit Together on Airplanes

By Candyce H. Stapen

Families who need to sit together on a flight often encounter the turbulence of extra fees, unfriendly boarding procedures, and random seat assignments. Airlines have made things so hard for families that to reserve plane seats next to your children, you now need a survival guide.

Sometimes, families have no choice but to make sure they reserve certain seats. The situation becomes more complicated when you’re traveling with toddlers nestled in a child restraint system (FAA-approved car seat). The device must be anchored in a window seat to prevent blocking aisle access, yet it may not be in, in front of, or behind an exit row.

The most important rule to make sure you all sit together: Book flights and reserve seats early. That’s the simplest and cleanest way.

Second, list all family members on the same reservation. If someone booked at a different time, link their reservation to yours. This signals that you want to sit near each other, and sometimes, airlines will use that information to make it happen early.

Third, if you're a family of four or more and you're stumped, look for two seats together, which are easier to find than four together. Seat one adult with one child and the other with the other child. The one-on-one attention makes a great start to any trip, anyway.

Strategies by U.S. airline

Alaska airlines.

Alaska Airlines assigns the majority of its cheapest Saver fare seats at the gate, which is too risky if your crew needs to sit together, so eschew this ticket class for Main cabin fares that allow you to reserve seats for free. This raises the fare by around $20 per ticket, but it solves the problem.

Pre-boarding: Families with a tot under 2 years old may board early. 

American Airlines 

American states that for families traveling with children under the age of 15, the airline’s automated system places everyone together even if they booked Basic Economy, the no-frills fare that normally forces you to get your seat assignment at the airport. That’s thoughtful, so make sure your kids’ ages are included in your reservation. Your seat assignments should appear 48 hours after your booking.

For those flying “regular” economy (Main Cabin), there’s no upcharge to reserve a seat. 

Pre-boarding: Families with a child under 2 years old may ask to board early. 

Delta Air Lines

Delta assigns seats for passengers in Basic Economy at the airport, which is a little late for families. Its other classes of service allow you to reserve seats ahead of time for free. So avoid Basic Economy on Delta if you need to sit together. You can add priority boarding, Wi-Fi, and other amenities by purchasing various add-on packages. 

Pre-boarding: Families with a child aged 5 years or under may ask to board early. 

Frontier Airlines 

Buy seats when purchasing your tickets. At that time, seats cost the least—from $6 per passenger, one-way for standard rows and from $20 for the extra legroom of Stretch. At check-in, prices start at $11 and $25, respectively. Without a purchased seat, Frontier assigns random spots—by then, usually middle seats scattered throughout the cabin. 

Cost: Family of four at booking: from $24 one-way; from $48 roundtrip.   

The Works and Perks bundles include reserved seats. Works adds ticket refundability, the cost of one checked and one carry-on, and allows ticket changes. Perks covers fees for a seat, carry-on and checked bag. The per-passenger prices vary with routes. Do the math to figure out the best options. 

Pre-boarding: Families with a toddler under the age of 3 board after Zone 1 but before Zone 2.

JetBlue Airways

No fee is required to reserve a seat in the Core (main) cabin, which you should do when you book your ticket. The Even More Space seats add up to 7 inches of legroom, which can be handy when with traveling with an infant in a bassinet. Prices vary per route. Blue, the lowest fare, doesn’t include a checked bag, which costs $30, but at least you can reserve seats as part of it. Blue Plus fares allow one free checked bag.

Pre-boarding: Families with a child under 2 years old may board early. 

Southwest Airlines

You cannot reserve a seat on Southwest. Instead, where you sit depends upon your boarding group—A, B, or C—and your number within it. The lower, the better. Southwest assigns these based upon check-in, which begins 24 hours before takeoff. 

With EarlyBird Check-In, available from $15 to $25 one-way, per passenger, Southwest automatically checks you in 36 hours ahead of your flight. 

Cost: Family of four: from $60 one-way; from $120 round-trip. 

But don’t breathe a sigh of relief just yet. Early Bird doesn’t guarantee the coveted A1 to A15 boarding spots often needed for two or more seats together. For those, opt for upgraded boarding for $30, $40, or $50 each way, or purchase a Business Select fare. 

Additional cost: Family of four upgraded boarding: from $120 one-way; from $240 round-trip.

Pre-boarding: An adult traveling with a child aged 6 or younger boards after group A but before group B, which is usually early enough to secure appropriate seating.

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines assigns free seats at check-in, 24 hours before your flight. Fees to reserve seats before then start at $5 per passenger, one-way.   

Cost: family of four: from $20 one-way, from $40 round-trip. Be sure to print boarding passes at home or download Spirit’s free app with the information. Printing the documents at the airport costs $2 per passenger at the kiosk or $10 at the counter.

Pre-boarding: Families with a child aged 3 years or younger board after Zone 2 and before Zone 3. 

United Airlines

With Basic Economy, you cannot select your seat and only Mileage Plus Premier members and their companions may bring full-size carry-ons onboard. To get seat reservations, your lowest acceptable tier of ticket should be Main Cabin “regular” economy fares. United’s Preferred seats , $15 a pop, bump you up a few rows but you still land in coach with little legroom. If you purchased a Fly-Tot, JetKids, or other bed box, leave it at home. United prohibits them.  

Pre-boarding: Families with a child under 2 years old may board early.

Basically, on nearly every airline you should  forget about Basic Economy a.k.a “economy light.” The no-frills-fare takes the control you need away from you. It means no seat reservation, no overhead luggage, and a fine—oops, I mean surcharge—for checking bags, thus negating all or much of the savings that tempted your family to buy Basic Economy in the first place.

What happens when families are split anyway? Airlines insist they try to seat families together. Ultimately, though, by forcing customers to compete for and buy seats, airlines have shown they certainly don’t try enough. If they did, you wouldn’t need all this advice.

If, after all that, you can’t get the seat assignments you want, you’re forced to rely on the kindness of strangers: first the gate agents, then the crew, and then, fellow passengers who are willing to switch seats. But ever since the airlines turned seat assignments into paid products, many passengers are not willing to throw away the money they spent to be where they are. Don’t blame the passenger who doesn’t want to trade; they’re using a product they paid for. Blame the airline that turned families into beggars.

• All Regions
• Australia & South Pacific
• Caribbean & Atlantic
• Central & South America
• Middle East & Africa
• North America
• Washington, D.C.
• San Francisco
• New York City
• Los Angeles
• Arts & Culture
• Beach & Water Sports
• Local Experiences
• Food & Drink
• Outdoor & Adventure
• National Parks
• Winter Sports
• Travelers with Disabilities
• Family & Kids
• All Slideshows
• Hotel Deals
• Car Rentals
• Flight Alerts
• Credit Cards & Loyalty Points
• Cruise News
• Entry Requirements & Customs
• Car, Bus, Rail News
• Money & Fees
• Health, Insurance, Security
• Packing & Luggage
• -Arthur Frommer Online
• -Passportable
• Road Trip Guides
• Alaska Made Easy
• Great Vacation Ideas in the U.S.A.
• Best of the Caribbean
• Best of Mexico
• Cruise Inspiration
• Best Places to Go 2024

• Vacation Rentals
• Restaurants
• Things to do
• Things to Do
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Spirit airlines - should I pay for seat assignments? - Air Travel Forum

• Tripadvisor Forums    
• Air Travel Forums

Spirit airlines - should I pay for seat assignments?

• United States Forums
• Europe Forums
• Canada Forums
• Asia Forums
• Central America Forums
• Africa Forums
• Caribbean Forums
• Mexico Forums
• South Pacific Forums
• South America Forums
• Middle East Forums
• Honeymoons and Romance
• Business Travel
• Train Travel
• Traveling With Disabilities
• Tripadvisor Support
• Solo Travel
• Bargain Travel
• Timeshares / Vacation Rentals
• Air Travel forum

There are 4 of us travelling on Saturday and we need to sit together.

Do I really need to pay extra to select 4 seats together considering most of the seats are not taken? Won't they sit us together anyway?

'There are 4 of us travelling on Saturday and we need to sit together.' With your word 'need' then I'd say yes, pay for seat assignments.

What is the routing you've booked for this Saturday?

One more think: looks like I can buy seats after a check in.

In which case I think it would make sense to check in early and see what seats has been assigned and if they are not together, buy only those seats that necessary. Since we have child , at least two seats will be together. So the worst case , I will have to buy 2 seats. But if I do it before a check in - I will have to buy 4 seats.

Am I missing something.

At a minimum you should book two seats now for an adult and child but if you want to all sit together just bite the bullet and buy four seats now.

Or is your wife giving you a hard time on this too?

If you want to sit together...pay.

If only 2 people need to sit together...pay.

If you roll the dice and lose, DON'T ask others who may have paid to change their seats so that you can sit together.

Just because you automatically get assigned two seats together for one adult and the child, doesn't mean there will be two more seats nearby that you can buy later. If you want to sit together, buy the seat reservations.

Out of interest how much $ is this debate about

If you need to sit together, then pay for seats to sit together.

What is the reason stopping you from doing this ?

**What is the reason stopping you from doing this ?**

From the original post....

"Do I really need to pay extra**

Looked at my reservation before the check in 24 hour period started and saw the seats have been already assigned. All 4 together.

Thanks everyone.

You got lucky, but what would you have done if you hadn’t. Keep in mind that people will not move for you because you didn’t pay for seats. They did and so they’re seated where they want to be.

• Question Specific to Fiji Airways and TSA PreCheck 11:18 pm
• Turkish airlines buy infant seat 10:25 pm
• Singapore transit visa for multiple PNR 10:22 pm
• Minneapolis layover 10:18 pm
• Wheelchair assistance till airprt gate or taxi stand 10:15 pm
• London to Istanbul - Pegasus Airlines 9:25 pm
• Canadiann Passport 9:16 pm
• Layover time: uk to New Orleans, layover Orlando int 8:59 pm
• Best way to pack whiskey. 8:38 pm
• Ryanair or air lingus 8:29 pm
• Smartfares is a SCAM 7:57 pm
• Delta operated by Korean Air 7:49 pm
• Fly Play - anyone used them? 7:10 pm
• Traveling with medical device 6:24 pm
• ++++ ESTA (USA) and eTA (Canada) requirements for visa-exempt foreign nationals ++++
• ++++ TIPS - PLANNING YOUR FLIGHTS +++++++
• Buy now or later? What's with these screwy ticket prices?
• Around-the-world (RTW) tickets
• All you need to know about OPEN JAW tickets
• Beware of cheap business class tickets (sold by 3rd parties)
• ++++ TIPS - PREPARING TO FLY +++++++++
• TIPS - How to prepare for Long Haul Flights
• TIPS - Being Prepared for Cancellations and Long Delays
• TIPS - How to survive being stuck at an airport
• Flights delays and cancellations resources
• How do I effectively communicate with an airline?
• Airline, Airport, and Travel Abbreviations
• Air Travel Queries: accessibility,wedding dresses,travelling with children.
• Connecting Flights at London Heathrow Airport
• TUI Airways (formerly Thomson) Dreamliner - Movies and Seating Information
• ++++ COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION ++++
• Covid-19 Coronavirus Information for Air Travel

Flying With Spirit Airlines: A First-Time Guide

W hat do you get when you fly an Ultra Low Cost Carrier in the US? One such option is Spirit Airlines, well known for its no-frills approach to flying. If you are a first-time flier with the carrier, you will want to understand what the airline offers and what to expect before heading to the airport.

The Ultra Low-Cost Carrier Experience

As an Ultra Low-Cost Carrier , Spirit Airlines is focused on offering the most basic services at affordable base fares. Unlike traditional airlines, which often include various amenities in their pricing, ULCCs like Spirit tend to scale down their offerings to provide a budget-friendly way of getting from one destination to another.

Flying with Spirit means adopting a minimalist mindset. The airline operates with a straightforward approach, providing passengers with the basics needed to reach their destination safely, but not much more. It is essential to note that seats tend to be smaller, customer service may be more difficult to reach, and many amenities considered standard on other carriers are not included in the base fare on Spirit.

Self-Service

The Spirit Airlines experience emphasizes self-service. Passengers should plan to book their flights online rather than calling Spirit’s booking center, as booking over the phone incurs a $35 fee. They should also either print out or have their tickets ready on their phones before leaving home, lest they be charged a $25 printing fee at the airport.

Likewise, they may need to tag their own bags at the airport using self-bag drop stations. This approach can help to reduce costs and wait times, but can exacerbate a time-crunch if passengers do not arrive at the airport with enough time.

"A La Smarte" upgrades

Spirit passengers who do not pay for any upgrades should not expect much beyond a seat on a plane going to their destination. Even so, the carrier offers a variety of optional services and products that it calls its "A La Smarte'' offering. Many of these are offerings that come with economy fares on more traditional airlines – and the prices can add up quickly for Spirit passengers who opt for too many of these upgrades. Still, passengers who want more than just a seat can save money by selectively choosing one or two upgrades that suit them, while forgoing the ones they do not need.

Here is a breakdown of these options:

Big Front Seat

For added comfort and extra legroom, Spirit’s “Big Front Seat” offers a more spacious seating option, albeit at an additional cost. These include 36” of pitch, are 18.5” wide, and come with an additional six inches of legroom, compared to the rest of Spirit’s seating.

Onboard WiFi

Passengers who want to stay connected during their flight may do so by opting for onboard WiFi, a useful service for work, entertainment, or staying in touch with loved ones. Internet speeds for basic browsing run between $3.99 to $16.99, while high-speed internet costs between $6.99 and $19.99, according to Spirit’s website.

Unlike most other airlines, which typically allow passengers to bring one personal item and a carry-on bag into the cabin, Spirit only allows a single personal item for free. The personal item should be no larger than a laptop bag or a small purse, with maximum dimensions of 18”x14”x8.” Anything larger or any additional carry-on bag will incur a fee.

Seat selection

Passengers who do not opt to select their own seat will be randomly assigned a seat on the plane, and are not guaranteed to sit next to any travel companions . Seat selection, however, also comes at a price, ranging from $1 to $200, depending on the flight.

Shortcut boarding and security

Passengers can pay to board early in Zone 2 for between $7.99 and $9.99, and select airports offer the ability to cut the security line as well for up to $20.

Flight rescheduling

Life is unpredictable, and plans may change. The ability to reschedule flights with a flex fare up to 24 hours in advance provides flexibility, albeit for $35 - $45.

Refreshments

Passengers do not receive any complimentary onboard refreshment service, but can purchase snacks and beverages onboard. Be prepared to pay by card, as the airline does not accept cash. Travelers may be well advised to bring their own snacks on board – either ones they bring from home, or ones purchased in the airport.

Navigating the Spirit experience

As a first-time flier with Spirit Airlines, it's important to manage your expectations and be aware of the airline's unique offerings. By understanding that Spirit operates as an Ultra Low-Cost Carrier, you can make informed decisions about which optional services align with your travel preferences and needs.

What other things should a first-time Spirit passenger know before their travels? Let us know in the comments below.

Sources: Spirit , Spirit

Spirit Airlines

IATA/ICAO Code: NK/NKS

Airline Type: Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier

Hub(s): Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Harry Reid International Airport, Miami International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Atlantic City International Airport

Year Founded: 1983

CEO: Test Christie

Country: United States

Loyalty Program: Free Spirit

An official website of the United States government Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Final Rule Requiring Automatic Refunds of Airline Tickets and Ancillary Service Fees

Rule makes it easy to get money back for cancelled or significantly changed flights, significantly delayed checked bags, and additional services not provided  

WASHINGTON – The Biden-Harris Administration today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a final rule that requires airlines to promptly provide passengers with automatic cash refunds when owed. The new rule makes it easy for passengers to obtain refunds when airlines cancel or significantly change their flights, significantly delay their checked bags, or fail to provide the extra services they purchased.

“Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them - without headaches or haggling,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg . “Our new rule sets a new standard to require airlines to promptly provide cash refunds to their passengers.”  

The final rule creates certainty for consumers by defining the specific circumstances in which airlines must provide refunds. Prior to this rule, airlines were permitted to set their own standards for what kind of flight changes warranted a refund. As a result, refund policies differed from airline to airline, which made it difficult for passengers to know or assert their refund rights. DOT also received complaints of some airlines revising and applying less consumer-friendly refund policies during spikes in flight cancellations and changes. 

Under the rule, passengers are entitled to a refund for:

• Canceled or significantly changed flights: Passengers will be entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled or significantly changed, and they do not accept alternative transportation or travel credits offered. For the first time, the rule defines “significant change.” Significant changes to a flight include departure or arrival times that are more than 3 hours domestically and 6 hours internationally; departures or arrivals from a different airport; increases in the number of connections; instances where passengers are downgraded to a lower class of service; or connections at different airports or flights on different planes that are less accessible or accommodating to a person with a disability.  
• Significantly delayed baggage return: Passengers who file a mishandled baggage report will be entitled to a refund of their checked bag fee if it is not delivered within 12 hours of their domestic flight arriving at the gate, or 15-30 hours of their international flight arriving at the gate, depending on the length of the flight.  
• Extra services not provided: Passengers will be entitled to a refund for the fee they paid for an extra service — such as Wi-Fi, seat selection, or inflight entertainment — if an airline fails to provide this service.

DOT’s final rule also makes it simple and straightforward for passengers to receive the money they are owed. Without this rule, consumers have to navigate a patchwork of cumbersome processes to request and receive a refund — searching through airline websites to figure out how make the request, filling out extra “digital paperwork,” or at times waiting for hours on the phone. In addition, passengers would receive a travel credit or voucher by default from some airlines instead of getting their money back, so they could not use their refund to rebook on another airline when their flight was changed or cancelled without navigating a cumbersome request process.  

The final rule improves the passenger experience by requiring refunds to be:

• Automatic: Airlines must automatically issue refunds without passengers having to explicitly request them or jump through hoops.   
• Prompt: Airlines and ticket agents must issue refunds within seven business days of refunds becoming due for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods.  
• Cash or original form of payment: Airlines and ticket agents must provide refunds in cash or whatever original payment method the individual used to make the purchase, such as credit card or airline miles. Airlines may not substitute vouchers, travel credits, or other forms of compensation unless the passenger affirmatively chooses to accept alternative compensation.    
• Full amount: Airlines and ticket agents must provide full refunds of the ticket purchase price, minus the value of any portion of transportation already used. The refunds must include all government-imposed taxes and fees and airline-imposed fees, regardless of whether the taxes or fees are refundable to airlines.

The final rule also requires airlines to provide prompt notifications to consumers affected by a cancelled or significantly changed flight of their right to a refund of the ticket and extra service fees, as well as any related policies.

In addition, in instances where consumers are restricted by a government or advised by a medical professional not to travel to, from, or within the United States due to a serious communicable disease, the final rule requires that airlines must provide travel credits or vouchers. Consumers may be required to provide documentary evidence to support their request. Travel vouchers or credits provided by airlines must be transferrable and valid for at least five years from the date of issuance.

The Department received a significant number of complaints against airlines and ticket agents for refusing to provide a refund or for delaying processing of refunds during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. At the height of the pandemic in 2020, refund complaints peaked at 87 percent of all air travel service complaints received by DOT. Refund problems continue to make up a substantial share of the complaints that DOT receives.

DOT’s Historic Record of Consumer Protection Under the Biden-Harris Administration

Under the Biden-Harris Administration and Secretary Buttigieg, DOT has advanced the largest expansion of airline passenger rights, issued the biggest fines against airlines for failing consumers, and returned more money to passengers in refunds and reimbursements than ever before in the Department’s history.

• Thanks to pressure from Secretary Buttigieg and DOT’s flightrights.gov dashboard, all 10 major U.S. airlines guarantee free rebooking and meals, and nine guarantee hotel accommodations when an airline issue causes a significant delay or cancellation. These are new commitments the airlines added to their customer service plans that DOT can legally ensure they adhere to and are displayed on flightrights.gov .  
• Since President Biden took office, DOT has helped return more than $3 billion in refunds and reimbursements owed to airline passengers – including over $600 million to passengers affected by the Southwest Airlines holiday meltdown in 2022.   
• Under Secretary Buttigieg, DOT has issued over $164 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations. Between 1996 and 2020, DOT collectively issued less than $71 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations.  
• DOT recently launched a new partnership with a bipartisan group of state attorneys general to fast-track the review of consumer complaints, hold airlines accountable, and protect the rights of the traveling public.  
• In 2023, the flight cancellation rate in the U.S. was a record low at under 1.2% — the lowest rate of flight cancellations in over 10 years despite a record amount of air travel.  
• DOT is undertaking its first ever industry-wide review of airline privacy practices and its first review of airline loyalty programs.

In addition to finalizing the rules to require automatic refunds and protect against surprise fees, DOT is also pursuing rulemakings that would:

• Propose to ban family seating junk fees and guarantee that parents can sit with their children for no extra charge when they fly. Before President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg pressed airlines last year, no airline committed to guaranteeing fee-free family seating. Now, four airlines guarantee fee-free family seating, and the Department is working on its family seating junk fee ban proposal.  
• Propose to make passenger compensation and amenities mandatory so that travelers are taken care of when airlines cause flight delays or cancellations.   
• Expand the rights for passengers who use wheelchairs and ensure that they can travel safely and with dignity . The comment period on this proposed rule closes on May 13, 2024.

The final rule on refunds can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/latest-news and at regulations.gov , docket number DOT-OST-2022-0089. There are different implementation periods in this final rule ranging from six months for airlines to provide automatic refunds when owed to 12 months for airlines to provide transferable travel vouchers or credits when consumers are unable to travel for reasons related to a serious communicable disease. 

Information about airline passenger rights, as well as DOT’s rules, guidance and orders, can be found at   https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer .