Wanting to give our families incredible travel experiences is on the top of many people’s lists. Whether exploring the different parts of the United States, flying to a tropical island, or venturing overseas, we all have various goals and dreams.

One item that often causes an issue when planning these vacations is the cost of airfare. It is usually quite expensive, but the prices tend to change frequently. One way to avoid this extra cost is to use a budget airline carrier, like Spirit.

While the airfare is often much lower than other carriers, you will find that there are many additional fees that you wouldn’t typically incur. One of these is the cost of carry-on luggage. While Spirit offers a free personal item per passenger, bringing aboard, carry-on will cost extra.

How much is this carry-on? How big can it be? This comprehensive guide will outline everything you need to know about carry-on luggage and flying with Spirit airline size restrictions.

Table of Contents:

Where Does Spirit Fly?

As you likely know, not all airlines travel to the same destinations. While Spirit flies to many areas, you probably won’t be able to visit every location on your bucket list by just using this one carrier.

Spirit is continually adding new cities to its list. Some of these places include:

Miami, Florida
Manchester, New Hampshire
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Rochester, New York
Monterrey, Mexico
Canton, Ohio
Atlanta, Georgia
Armenia, Colombia
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Las Vegas, Nevada
Lima, Peru
Louisville, Kentucky
New Orleans, Louisiana
Newark, New Jersey
St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

To get the most up-to-date list of the destinations that Spirit flies to, be sure to check out their company website for a current route map.

What Can I Bring Onboard For Free?

You can bring a small personal item (purse, laptop bag) and one carry-on with many airline carriers. While in flight, you are typically offered a snack and beverage service for domestic flights. Some planes also have entertainment devices in their seatbacks.

However, this is not the case with Spirit. To keep their fares at a budget-friendly level, they have eliminated several complimentary services. This change includes the ability to bring a carry-on bag for free and the standard beverage service.

What you can bring on board Spirit for free is one personal item. It is pertinent to pay attention to the size dimensions of this personal item so that you are not charged at the gate for a carry-on.

When bringing aboard a personal item, it is required to stay within the following dimensions:

Height – 18 inches (with handle and wheels)
Width – 14 inches
Depth – 8 inches

You will find that a standard backpack usually fits within these parameters. It is critical to pay extra caution to how much you put into the pack for it to remain within eight inches. However, many find it feasible for carrying enough items on board without having to go without during the flight.

As we mentioned, you are not served a beverage or snack while on your flight with Spirit. However, you can bring on your own snacks and drinks for free as long as they fit within your personal item.

It is necessary to remember that you cannot bring liquids through security. However, you can bring an empty water bottle and fill it up at one of the many airport water fountains before takeoff.

What Are the Carry-On Restrictions?

If you choose to take a carry-on onto a Spirit plane, you must abide by the standard carry-on dimensions. The measurement that Spirit advertises for this style of luggage is as follows:

Height – 22 inches (with handle and wheels)
Width – 18 inches
Depth – 10 inches

It is worthy to note that the measurements provided by Spirit do conflict slightly with what is stated in other areas. Most other airlines and luggage companies consider the following dimensions as standard for carry-on:

Height – 22 inches (with handle and wheels)
Width – 14 inches
Depth – 9 inches

With that essential information, it is best to check your luggage dimensions before heading to the airport. If it ends up that your baggage is larger than allowed, you will have to pay additional fees to have it checked on the plane rather than carried on.

What Are the Carry-On Fees?

When you are looking for the cost of bringing a carry-on bag onto the aircraft, it is vital to understand that there are various price tiers for this service. Not only will your price change based on your departure and arrival city, but you will also be charged different fees for different days.

In addition to all of that, you will pay a specific cost depending on when you pay for your carry-on. There are several opportunities for when and how to pay for this, including:

During Booking
After Booking, But Before Online Check-In
During Online Check-In
With a Spirit Representative (Whether by Phone, Chat, or Check-In Desk)
At Gate

We rarely have to consider the timing of our purchase when making these types of decisions. However, doing so when traveling through Spirit can save you a significant amount of money.

While the costs vary widely, as described above, the following fees may apply to a typical flight from Austin, Texas, to Cancun, Mexico:

During Booking	$57
After Booking, But Before Online Check-In	$63
During Online Check-In	$68
With a Spirit Representative	$79
At Gate	$84

However, the variations in cost don’t end there. Spirit Airlines offers a program to customers called the Savers Club. With membership in this program, you have access to reduced-price flights and a discount on baggage.

Therefore, if you were to travel from Austin, Texas, to Cancun, Mexico, and you purchased a membership to be part of the Savers Club, you may be looking at the following prices instead of what is listed above:

During Booking	$50
After Booking, But Before Online Check-In	$56
During Online Check-In	$61
With a Spirit Representative	$79
At Gate	$84

It is also important to remember that if your carry-on is determined to be larger than what Spirit has allotted for its dimensions, then you will have to pay the “at gate” fee for a checked bag. This rate is significantly higher than carry-on costs.

What all of this information boils down to is that if you are planning to travel with Spirit, it is best to check not only the airfare cost but also what the fees will be for any luggage you plan on bringing with you.

Is It Worth It?

When you add up all the hidden fees that come with a Spirit booking, you often wonder if there are actually any savings to be had in going with a budget airline. And for many families, the savings are there, even with the additional fees.

If you are looking to travel with a budget airline, be sure to allow an appropriate amount of time to compare and contrast the airfare between several different carriers. Many people get excited when they first see the low cost of Spirit airlines, without considering what other expenses may come up.

Several things to consider before booking a flight for yourself or your family through Spirit include:

Destination – Does Spirit fly to where I’m going?
Seat Assignment – Spirit does not guarantee seating with your family. If you are traveling with young children, there is an additional cost for selecting seats together.
Luggage – Will you need to check a bag or bring a carry-on? Both carry-on and checked baggage have different fees attached to them.
Beverage Service – Is your flight lengthy? Spirit does not provide the complimentary beverage and snack service other airlines do.
Savers Club – For membership in Spirit’s cost-saving program, you pay an annual fee, and the savings extend to several other family members. Does the savings afforded through the membership give you adequate savings to justify the yearly cost?

In the end, if you are going for a weekend adventure and you have the ability to pack light, then Spirit is a good choice for you. If you are flying with your family for a lengthy vacation and have young children, the extra costs associated with checking baggage, carry-on, and seat assignments may not equate to the savings you are hoping for in a budget airline.

In Summary

There are many nuances in the fees associated with a flight through Spirit Airlines. While many are instantly intrigued by the low cost, they often don’t realize that they will likely be paying additional fees on top of that original price.

As we mentioned above, many travelers can still come out of the experience with ample savings. Having a massive difference in cost gives individuals the ability to travel more frequently and enjoy destinations they didn’t think they could before.

However, as is the case with most life situations, where you get some, you have to give some. In order to have the opportunities to travel more on a smaller budget, you must give up some of the luxuries that many have become accustomed to when it comes to air travel. For some, it is worth it, but for others, it isn’t.

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James Brockbank

Founder at The Family Vacation Guide

A seasoned traveller, Dad, and avid sports tourist, James foundered The Family Vacation Guide to share his expert vacation experiences- especially when it comes to being a travelling family man.

Featured in Travel articles such as Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy and SFGate, you know you're reading some of the best vacation tips online.

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