✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
Spirit Airlines is no longer operating. On May 2, 2026, Spirit began an immediate, orderly wind-down, canceled all flights, shut down its customer service lines, and told customers not to go to the airport. It was the first major US airline in roughly 25 years to fold for financial reasons, ending in its second bankruptcy after surging jet-fuel costs and a failed rescue deal. Roughly 17,000 jobs were affected.
What this means for baggage: you cannot buy a Spirit ticket, carry-on, or checked bag anymore — the policy below is preserved only as a historical reference (it was the policy in effect at shutdown). If you held a Spirit ticket, skip to the FAQs for refund guidance. If you’re shopping for a low-cost flight, see the alternatives in the insight box below.
Spirit was famously an “à la carte” ultra-low-cost carrier: the headline fare bought you a seat and one personal item only. Carry-on bags, checked bags, seat selection, and even printed boarding passes all cost extra, and — critically — the fee jumped the longer you waited to pay. The figures here are US-dollar amounts for domestic/short-haul travel and varied by route, fare bundle, and how early you paid.
Quick facts
| Status (2026) | Ceased all operations May 2, 2026 — no longer flying |
| Personal item | Free — 18 × 14 × 8 in (under-seat only) |
| Carry-on | Paid extra — 22 × 18 × 10 in; ~$37 online up to ~$99 at gate |
| Checked bag | Paid extra — 50 lb / 62 linear in; price tiered by when paid |
| Overweight (51–100 lb) | $125 extra |
| Oversize (63–80 linear in) | $150 extra |
| Hard limits | No bag over 100 lb or 80 linear in accepted |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | 18 × 14 × 8 in (45 × 35 × 20 cm), including handles and wheels. Free on every fare. Had to fit fully in the smaller under-seat sizer box. The only bag the base 'Value' fare included. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 22 × 18 × 10 in (56 × 46 × 25 cm), including handles and wheels · No published weight limit (size-only) Paid add-on: ~$37 at booking, rising to ~$45 at online check-in, ~$55 at the airport, and up to ~$99 at the gate. Included in Premium Economy and Spirit First bundles. |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | None included in base fare — each checked bag bought separately (or via a bundle) |
| Weight limit | 50 lb (23 kg) max per bag; 62 linear inches (L+W+H) max |
| Typical fee | First checked bag typically ~$40–$70+ depending on route and how early it was paid; cheapest at booking, most expensive at the gate. Prices varied by route and date. |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value (formerly Go) | Included | Not included | Not included |
| Value+ / Plus bundles | Included | Varied by bundle | Varied by bundle |
| Premium Economy | Included | Included | Often included |
| Spirit First | Included | Included | Often included |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
No Spirit deals will ever appear on aifly again — the carrier shut down on May 2, 2026, so there are no fares or bag fees left to track. If you came here for cheap US bare-fare flying, the closest live alternatives are:
- Frontier Airlines — the most direct ULCC replacement, same à la carte model (personal item free, carry-on and checked bags extra, fees cheaper if paid early).
- Breeze Airways — newer low-cost carrier with bundled “Nicest” fares that include bags; strong on point-to-point routes Spirit used to serve.
- Avelo Airlines — small ULCC on underserved leisure routes; personal item free, bags extra.
- JetBlue — picked up many former Spirit routes and slots; not bare-fare, but its Blue Basic includes a personal item and the network overlaps heavily with Spirit’s old map.
On all of these, the same Spirit-era rule of thumb still saves the most money: buy your bags during booking, never at the gate — gate prices can be double or more.
Oversize, sports & special items
Oversize and overweight (historical): A checked bag of 51–100 lb incurred a $125 overweight fee; a bag of 63–80 linear inches incurred a $150 oversize fee. Spirit refused any bag over 100 lb or 80 linear inches outright. Both fees could stack if a bag was both heavy and large.
Sports and special items (historical): Items like golf clubs, skis/snowboards, and bicycles were accepted as checked baggage and counted toward the standard checked-bag fee, plus oversize charges if they exceeded the linear limit. Musical instruments could travel as a personal item/carry-on if within size limits, or be checked.
The “gate fee” trap (historical): Spirit’s most notorious cost was paying for a carry-on at the gate, which could reach roughly $99 — far above the ~$37 booking price. This was the single biggest avoidable expense on a Spirit ticket.
Important note for travelers in 2026: Because Spirit has ceased trading, these rules are no longer enforceable and no bags can be purchased. Use this page only to understand past charges or to compare against the ULCC alternatives above.
Frequently asked questions
Is Spirit Airlines still flying in 2026?
No. Spirit Airlines ceased all operations on May 2, 2026, canceling every flight and shutting down customer service. It was the first major US airline in about 25 years to go out of business for financial reasons, ending in its second bankruptcy. You can no longer book Spirit flights or bags.
I had a Spirit ticket — what should I do now?
Do not go to the airport; all flights were canceled. Spirit advised passengers to rebook on another carrier (Frontier, Breeze, Avelo, JetBlue, or a major airline) and to pursue a refund. Several airlines offered limited goodwill rebooking for stranded Spirit passengers in the days after the shutdown, so check competitor announcements.
How do I get a refund for my Spirit ticket?
Spirit said it would automatically issue refunds to customers who paid by credit or debit card. If you booked another way (cash, voucher, or third-party), your refund may be subject to the bankruptcy court process and is not guaranteed. If you paid by card and don't see an automatic refund, file a chargeback dispute with your card issuer citing services not provided.
What was Spirit's free personal item allowance?
Every Spirit fare included one free personal item up to 18 × 14 × 8 in (45 × 35 × 20 cm), including handles and wheels, which had to fit fully under the seat in front of you. This was the only bag the base 'Value' fare included.
How much did a Spirit carry-on bag cost?
A carry-on (max 22 × 18 × 10 in) was a paid add-on that was not included in the base fare. It cost around $37 if added at booking, rising to roughly $45 at online check-in, ~$55 at the airport, and up to about $99 if paid at the gate. It was included in Premium Economy and Spirit First bundles.
What were Spirit's checked-bag weight and size limits?
Checked bags had to weigh 50 lb (23 kg) or less and not exceed 62 linear inches (length + width + height). A bag of 51–100 lb cost an extra $125 overweight fee; 63–80 linear inches cost $150 oversize. Spirit refused any bag over 100 lb or 80 linear inches.
Which airlines replaced Spirit's routes?
Frontier remains the closest ultra-low-cost equivalent. Breeze Airways and Avelo cover many point-to-point leisure routes, and JetBlue absorbed a significant share of former Spirit routes and slots. None are identical, but together they cover most of Spirit's old domestic and Caribbean network.
Did Spirit fees vary by route?
Yes. Spirit's bag fees varied by route, season, and demand, and especially by how early you paid — the same bag could cost noticeably more on a peak route or if added later. The figures here are typical US-dollar domestic amounts; international and Caribbean routes could differ.
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