Passengers flying on Spirit Airlines should be careful with the weight and number of bags they are bringing. The airline is quite strict with its baggage terms and conditions. According to Spirit Airlines Baggage Policy, passengers won’t get any complimentary baggage allowance. Therefore, travelers will have to pay for the bag that they bring. Compared to other airlines, it offers a lower baggage weight allowance to save on fuel charges and to continue providing low-cost tickets.
Let us dig into more details of the carry-on and checked baggage on Spirit Airlines.
Spirit Airlines Carry-on Baggage Policy
Passengers on Spirit flights do not get a free carry-on baggage allowance. According to the Spirit Airlines Baggage Policy, passengers can bring only one personal item for free under their ticket.
Personal Items:
- A purse, small backpack, etc.
- The dimensions of the bag should not be more than 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm) including handles and wheels.
Hand Bags:
- Passengers can bring handbags inside the cabin by paying the additional charges.
- The size of the carry-on bag should not exceed 22 x 18 x10 inches (56 x 46 x 25 cm) including handles and wheels.
- It should easily fit in the overhead compartment.
Note: Spirit Airlines does not count jackets, diaper bags, umbrellas, duty-free items, and assistive devices as carry-on allowance.
Restricted Items as Carry-On
The following items are restricted inside the cabin according to Spirit Airlines Baggage Policy.
- Aerosol
- Ammunition
- Baseball bats
- Battery-powered wheelchairs
- Bicycles
- Bows and Arrows
- Camp stoves
- Canoe/Kayak Paddles
- Compressed Air Guns
- Drones
- Dry ice
- Flares
- Gasoline
- Golf clubs
- Gun lighters and gunpowder
- Heating pad
- Hockey sticks
- Knives
- Mercury Thermometer
- Pepper Spray
- Spillable Batteries
- Spray paints
Spirit Airlines Checked Baggage Policy
Passengers do not get a free checked baggage allowance on Spirit. Travelers can purchase the bags either at the time of booking or later.
- The maximum dimension of the checked bag should be 62 inches including wheels and handles.
- The maximum weight of the checked baggage should not be more than 40 lbs.
- However, travelers can bring checked baggage weighing up to 100 pounds. Also, the maximum acceptable baggage size on Spirit Airlines is 80 linear inches.
- Spirit permits only up to 5 checked bags per passenger.
- Free Spirit status members get one free checked baggage allowance.
- Also, if the traveler has purchased Bundle It Combo, they get one free checked baggage allowance.
Active Duty Military Members
Along with the free personal item, active-duty military personnel traveling on Spirit will also receive
- Two free checked bags
- A free carry-on
However, Spirit Airlines Baggage policy for active duty military members does not extend to their family members.
The military personnel can add baggage during the booking process or online check-in. They can also use the My Trips tab on the official website. Reminder: At the airport ticket desk, baggage cannot be added.
Checked Baggage Allowance for Kids
- One stroller and one car seat per child may be checked for free under Spirit Airlines’ baggage policy.
- However, if a passenger is traveling with two children, they can additionally check in a double stroller.
How Much is Spirit Airlines Baggage Fee?
Passengers have to pay separate fees for carry-on and checked bags. Here is the breakdown.
Carry-On Baggage Fee
| Condition | Spirit Saver$ Club | Standard |
| At the time of booking | $28 to $75 | $29 to $75 |
| Before online check-in | $32 to $77 | $33 to $77 |
| During check-in | $37 to $83 | $38 to $83 |
| At reservation desk | $89 | $89 |
| At gate | $99 | $99 |
Checked Baggage Fee
The checked baggage fee on Spirit Airlines depends on the route.
| Condition | Spirit Saver$ Club | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| At the time of booking | First Bag: $28 to $70Second Bag: $73 to $88Third Bag: $98 to $149 | First Bag: $29 to $70Second Bag: $74 to $88Third Bag: $99 to $149 |
| Before online check-in | First Bag: $32 to $72Second Bag: $82 to $98Third Bag: $98 to $149 | First Bag: $33 to $72Second Bag: $82 to $99Third Bag: $99 to $149 |
| During check-in | First Bag: $37 to $78Second Bag: $85 to $100Third Bag: $98 to $149 | First Bag: $38 to $78Second Bag: $86 to $101Third Bag: $99 to $149 |
| At reservation desk | First Bag: $89Second Bag: $99Third Bag: $98 to $149 | First Bag: $28 to $70Second Bag: $73 to $88Third Bag: $98 to $149 |
Overweight and Oversized Checked Baggage
When the size of the bags exceeds 62 linear inches, Spirit considers it as oversized baggage. On the other hand, if the bag weighs more than 18 kg, it will be overweight baggage.
Travelers will have to pay additional charges for bringing oversized/overweight bags.
| Overweight or Oversized Baggage | Fees per bag |
| 18 to 23 kg | $79 |
| 23 to 45 kg | $125 |
| 63 to 80 inches | $150 |
| Special items above 80 inches | $150 |
How to Carry Liquid Items on Spirit?
- If you are flying on Spirit Airlines, then you need to take extra precautions for liquid items.
- Travelers can pack liquid, gels, aerosols, creams, and paste.
- According to Spirit Airlines Baggage Policy, the quantity of liquid items should not be more than 100ml if they are willing to bring it inside the cabin. It should be packed in a resealable 1-litre plastic bag. The bag should be transparent and travelers should present it at the security check.
- However, passengers should pack it in checked baggage, if the liquid is more than 100 ml.
Rules for Sporting Items
Surfboard: Passengers can bring two surfboards in a bag. Spirit Airlines charges an additional $100 for each way.
Cycles: For bicycles, there are no excess charges for being overweight or oversized. Cycles will be counted as standard baggage but travelers will have to pay a $75 one-way fee.
Bowling: Passengers may only bring it as carry-on luggage if it complies with Spirit Airlines’ carry-on baggage guidelines. Travelers can also pack it under their checked baggage.
Golf Equipment: According to Spirit Airlines Baggage Policy, travelers cannot carry golf clubs on board. They have to check their sports equipment. Overweight baggage fees will be levied. Golf equipment must be transported in soft-sided bags.
Skiing and snowboarding: It is not permitted as carry-on. Passengers have to pay overweight and oversized baggage fees.
How to Claim for Mishandled Baggage?
- Spirit Airlines requests passengers to fill out the compensation for damaged, delayed, or lost baggage.
- On domestic routes, passengers must file a report within 4 hours of arrival if they find that their baggage is damaged. Whereas passengers can fill the report in 7 days for international travel.
- Flyers will have 21 days on international routes to file reports for delayed or lost baggage. On the other hand, if the baggage is delayed by more than 5 days on domestic routes, travelers must file a claim with central baggage.
- The deadline to submit a claim for mishandled baggage is up to 30 days from the day of arrival.
As per the Spirit Airlines Baggage Policy, Spirit does not compensate for damage due to these conditions.
- Heavily or over-packed bag.
- Pre-existing defect with the bag
- Minor cuts, wear, or tear
- Poor packaging
Here are the steps passengers can take to initiate the claim process.
- Create an incident report within the deadline. Once the report is created, travelers will receive a Baggage Irregularity Receipt by email.
- Now, go to the baggage service portal.
- Enter last name and file ID.
- Now, click on “Create online claim.”
- On the next screen, fill out the relevant information by following the instructions.
- Upload documents such as receipt of repair, purchase invoice, etc.
- Lastly, click on the Submit button. Spirit Airlines will process the claim in 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What size bag can you carry on Spirit for free?
Ans. On Spirit Airlines, you can carry one personal item ( purse, backpack, or laptop bag) for free. The size of the personal item should not be more than 18 x 14 x 8 inches. For every additional baggage, travelers will have to pay extra fees.
Q. Does Spirit Airlines allow a backpack and a purse?
Ans. Spirit Airlines allows passengers to bring a personal item for free. It can be either a backpack, purse, or laptop bag. If a traveler wants to bring both backpacks and a purse, they can purchase them by paying additional charges.
Q. How much is Spirit Airlines baggage fee?
Ans. Spirit Airlines baggage fee depends on the route and time of purchase. The baggage fee is cheaper at the time of booking and becomes expensive at the time of check-in. If a passenger purchases baggage allowance at the gate, they have to pay a higher fee.
Q. How do I avoid paying for my Spirit bag?
Ans. You can avoid the Spirit baggage fee when you have Spirit Gold status. Gold members can purchase one free-checked baggage. Also, if you are an active military member, then you can use your position to get an extra baggage allowance at no cost. You can also travel credits to pay for the baggage.
Q. How strict is Spirit Airlines with a carry-on?
Ans. Spirit Airlines has strict regulations for cabin bags. The airline permits carry-on bags only measuring up to 22 x 18 x10 inches. If the size exceeds, Spirit will accept the bag as checked baggage.
Q. How heavy can your checked bag be on Spirit?
Ans. The weight of the standard checked bag on Spirit Airlines should be 18.1 kg or 40 lbs. The bags weighing more than 40 lbs are considered overweight baggage. Under no condition, Spirit Airlines will accept the bag weighing more than 100 lbs.
Q. Does Spirit have 1 free checked baggage?
Ans. No, standard ticket holders on Spirit Airlines do not get any free checked baggage allowance. However, Gold Status members get one free checked baggage allowance.
Q. Is it cheaper to pay for Spirit bags online?
Ans. Yes, purchasing bags online on Spirit Airlines will be cheaper than buying at the check-in counter or the gate. On the counter, Spirit also levies the administrative charges, making the purchase costly.
Q. Why does Spirit make you pay for carry-on?
Ans. Spirit Airlines is a low-cost carrier. Therefore, it does not include baggage fees in their fare. It is suitable for passengers who don’t travel with bags but unnecessarily have to bear the baggage cost. Also, more baggage means more weight and thus more fuel expenses. So, to stay competitive Spirit makes you pay for carry-on.
Q. What happens if your checked bag is over 40 pounds on Spirit?
Ans. When the checked bag is over 40 pounds, then according to Spirit Airlines Baggage Policy, it will be considered as overweight baggage. Travelers can bring those bags by paying excess baggage charges. For bags weighing between 18 to 23 kg, travelers will have to pay $79. On the other hand, for bags weighing between 23 to 45 kg, an additional fee is $125.
Q. What should be the size of the cabin bags on Spirit Airlines?
Ans. According to Spirit Airlines Baggage Policy, the size of the personal item should not be more than 8 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm). On the other hand, the size of the carry-on bag should not exceed 22 x 18 x 10 inches including handles and wheels.
Q. Does Spirit refund bag fees?
Ans. No. Spirit Airlines does not refund baggage fees. In case of a missed flight or cancellation, there will be no baggage fee refund. Also, if you pay for the bag and do not bring it for your trip, the airline is not responsible for a refund.
Q. How strict is Spirit Airlines with weight?
Ans. Spirit Airlines does not accept bags weighing more than 100 lbs under any condition. According to Spirit Airlines Baggage Policy, there will be no overweight baggage fee for bags weighing less than 18 kg. But above 18 kg, passengers have to pay the additional fee.
Q. What is the baggage allowance for military members on Spirit?
Ans. Spirit Airlines offers generous baggage allowance to active military members. Along with the free personal item, they get two free checked bags and a free carry-on.
Q. What are the weight and size limits for checked bags on Spirit?
Ans. The weight of the standard checked baggage on Spirit Airlines is 18 kg. On the other hand, the maximum dimension of the checked baggage must not exceed 62 inches in total.
