Last Updated on December 31, 2023 by Henry @ The Getaway Lounge
This post is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure a high level of accuracy.
Just how strict is Spirit?
It’s a question we hear all the time in the US travel community, and here’s the latest.
Spirit Airlines are very strict and limit passengers to one personal item unless you pay for additional luggage. If your luggage is deemed oversized at the gate, you risk having to pay penalties.
And if you’re looking for a top quality suitcase which is a great fit for Spirit Airlines carry on, we recommend the The Unisex Samonsite Hardcase, currently available on Amazon with a whole range of colours to choose from.
The airline call it their “Bare Fare” – and if you decide to travel without paying for any additional luggage, you’ll be limited to the following:
18 x 14 x 8 inches with no weight limit
Now, that might not sound like a great deal – but depending on the duration and type of trip it might just be enough to keep you going.
Besides, there are ways to make the most of this space.
One of the most effective ways to make the most of your free baggage allowance is to wear some of your heavier / bulky clothing as you go through the gate.
Think coat with deep pockets stuffed with belongings if you’re really looking to make the most of your hard-earned cash!
This will give you more room to pack essentials for your trip.
And once you’ve passed the gate, you could simply place these items into another bag that has been squeezed into your personal item if needs be…
So, if you plan on travelling fairly light, or if you plan on staying for a short duration of time, say a long weekend – we recommend trying to get away without paying for additional luggage.
And if you don’t already have a bag which fits nicely within their limits, here’s one of the most practical solutions on the market.
The dimensions of this bag fit exactly that of the dimensions stated by Spirit airlines for their personal item allowance!
If you’d like to be able to take a larger carry on bag as well, a fee applies and this varies depending on when the extra allowance is purchased.
For most flights the fee is around $40, one-way as standard, if purchased during the initial online booking.
This fee increases up to a maximum of $65 dollars if you leave it until you get to the gate.
And if you decide to pay up for the additional space, you’ll have a total allowance of the previously mentioned personal item as well as the following:
22 x 18 x 10 inches with no weight limit
If you’re looking for a full-sized carry on that fits nicely within their limits, here’s an option that’s highly rated among travellers.
It’s one of the best sellers in suitcases, and features include a clean, lightweight design, TSA locks, smooth 360 degree wheels and a 10 year warranty.
The Unisex Samonsite Hardcase is currently available on Amazon with plenty of different colours to choose from.
No is the simple answer to that question.
Even if your luggage is only slightly bigger than the limits stated above, we would still be cautious.
Besides, with a lot of people having to pay for full-size, compliant carry ons, they will be monitoring the situation more carefully than other airlines to prevent annoying those customers who have stuck to the stringent rules.
If your bag is deemed to be oversized, you will incur baggage fees.
For more information please see this page on their website here which will give you a better idea as to what to expect.
As with the vast majority of other airlines – you are allowed to take one quart-sized bag of liquids, gels and aerosols in your carry on bag through security.
These are limited to 3.4 oz or 100ml per item, comfortably placed in a see-through, resealable bag.
For details on restrictions and exceptions including liquids like baby formula and medicine, please see Transport Security Administration’s (TSA) advice here.
Items that don’t count as part of your personal item or main carry on include things such as:
If you’re unsure about any item, please contact the TSA.
Spirit Airlines are very strict when it comes to the size of your personal item and carry on luggage.
We therefore recommend taking precautions and investing in an appropriate bag depending on the duration and type of your trip.
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