Spirit Airlines has eliminated flight change and cancellation fees, effective immediately. This move addresses a major pain point for travelers and positions them as a more attractive option than other budget airlines.
The announcement comes just days after fellow low-cost carrier Frontier Airlines made a similar shift, signifying a potential trend in the industry. Before this change, Spirit charged between $69 and $119 to modify or cancel flights, depending on timing.
Eliminating fees marks a significant shift from the budget airline playbook. Traditionally, these carriers lure customers with rock-bottom fares but nickel-and-dime them for extras like checked bags, seat selection, and snacks. In fact, revenue from these add-ons often surpasses what tickets themselves bring in. Spirit’s policy change fees suggest a move towards more transparent upfront pricing.
Major airlines like Delta, United, and American mostly eliminated change fees during the pandemic, prioritizing passenger flexibility. However, these fees often remain on their cheapest fares. Notably, Southwest never charged them.
Unlike these larger, more established airlines, Spirit and Frontier are still grappling with post-pandemic recovery. Facing a failed merger with JetBlue and a significant first-quarter loss in 2024, Spirit’s decision to scrap change fees reflects a potential recalibration of its strategy.
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