Spirit Airlines, known for its budget-friendly airfare, announced on Tuesday that it will begin offering new packages and classes of service next month.
The Florida-based airline will be offering premium selections for passengers who purchase higher-priced tickets, according to a press release. Perks such as Wi-Fi, cabin baggage, and snacks and beverages will be included as part of the new classes that the airline will roll out.
Ted Christie, Spirit’s president and CEO, commented on the changes that the airline will be making.
“We’re unveiling a new era in Spirit’s history and taking low-fare travel to new heights with enhanced options that are unlike anything we’ve offered before,” Christie said. “We listened to our Guests and are excited to deliver what they want: choices for an elevated experience that are affordable and provide unparalleled value.”
Spirit will offer four different travel options, including the flexibility to change or cancel flights for no cost. Passengers can take advantage of some of these new options by booking flights beginning on August 16, with perks beginning in-flight on August 27.
“Go Big” tickets will give customers the most comfortable experience by flying in the aircraft’s “Big Front Seats,” which provide extra legroom with no middle seat. The seats are located at the front of the plane. This option will also include one checked bag, one piece of cabin luggage, snacks and drinks, including alcoholic beverages, and free Wi-Fi access. Priority check-in and boarding will also be available to guests who choose this option.
The second-highest option for travelers is the “Go Comfy” package, which offers standard legroom with a blocked middle seat for a comfortable flight experience. This option includes one free snack and one non-alcoholic beverage. Passengers can bring one piece of cabin luggage and one checked item and have access to priority boarding.
“Go Savvy” fares include either one carry-on bag or one checked bag for free, with a standard seat selection available to travelers.
The “Go” option is the cheapest and most standard option available to passengers. Spirit will still charge a la carte fees for perks such as Wi-Fi, checked bags, snacks and beverages, and seat selection.
In addition to the various packages offered to customers, Spirit is deploying a new boarding process in an attempt to speed up boarding time and “enhance operational performance.”
Spirit’s move to offer packages to customers comes after competitors like Southwest Airlines eliminated its open seating policy in favor of offering extra legroom seats to passengers, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Other competitors, such as United Airlines, have recently taken a similar approach, offering budget-friendly options and a la carte perks for purchase, according to NBC 5 DFW. Spirit hopes that by offering these packages it can increase revenue after “wider-than-expected” losses were reported earlier this month.
In January, Spirit Airlines was set to be purchased by JetBlue Airways, but a District Court blocked the deal over concerns that the merger would harm consumers and be anti-competitive, DX reported.