Spirit Airlines Increases Weight Limit for Checked Bags

Ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines is known for its bargain-basement fares — but along with those great ticket prices come high ancillary fees that, in some cases, offset the inexpensive tickets.

However, the airline has made some positive changes, particularly regarding checked baggage and travel vouchers. Let’s take a look.

Spirit’s Updated Policies

Spirit Airlines announced on June 4, 2024, that it would make several customer-friendly changes to make flying easier for passengers.

The airline has announced that it has increased the checked-bag weight allowance to 50 pounds (up from 40 pounds). Additionally, it has extended future travel voucher expiration dates to 12 months (for vouchers issued on or after June 3, 2024).

Last month, Spirit eliminated change and cancellation fees for its tickets. This means that now you’ll only pay the difference in fare if changing to a more expensive flight. On the flip side, you’ll receive a travel credit if the flight you change to is less expensive.

“Spirit has changed the game before and we’re doing it again with this first round of initiatives that will lead the way to a new era of low-fare, high-value flying,” said Matt Klein, executive vice president and chief commercial officer of Spirit Airlines. “These enhancements provide each and every one of our Guests unparalleled flexibility and peace of mind, and it’s just the beginning of our pursuit to make affordable travel easier and more seamless than ever.”

This comes a few days after the airline said it would extend active-duty U.S. military member benefits to their spouses and children when traveling together. Now, military members and their families receive 2 free checked bags, 1 carry-on, and complimentary boarding when traveling together.

As an ultra-low-cost carrier, Spirit Airlines keeps costs low by “unbundling” airfare and passing on fees to the passenger. That means that perks you normally get on mainline carriers, such as carry-on luggage, seat selection, and even snacks, cost an extra fee when flying Spirit.

Final Thoughts

Spirit increasing the weight allowance for checked baggage and extending the validity of travel news is great news for travelers. This comes at a pivotal time for the airline, which has struggled financially in recent months. As it works to return to profitability, it has trimmed some routes, launched new ones, and made customer-friendly changes, including adding benefits for military families.

We hope to see the airline continue to make more positive tweaks to its policies in the future!