Review: Spirit Airlines A320 Economy Tampa to Houston

Hello WTWT readers, with the recent degradation of frequent flyer loyalty programs my choice for flights is typically based on fare cost. My typical flight is TPA-EWR (Tampa to Newark round trip), but will now be TPA-IAH (Houston) since JR, my boyfriend, was relocated to TX. Spirit Airlines has base fares ~$70, where as United is ~$170 WTW. Since I only need underwear and a toothbrush and a super small capsule wardrobe for the time, I can fit everything in a small backpack which is include on Spirit as a personal item.

Spirit Airlines
Flight NK 315
Tampa (TPA) to Houston (IAH)
19 August 2016
Depart: 1955 (50min delay) EST
Arrive: 2038 CDT | Off plane: 2150 CDT
Duration: 1 hour 43 min in air + 1 hour 10 min to get to gate
Aircraft: Airbus A320
Seat: 5F there | 28 A on return

Booking

After searching the flight on Google Flights, I booked directly with Spirit. I set up a FREE SPIRIT (their frequent flyer program) account and made my way through to check out having to click “no I don’t want any add ons” for what felt like 30 times. Spirit is unapologetic and blunt about baggage fees, highly motivating you to buy baggage now and not at the gate. Before the flight I also received a few emails reminding me to buy baggage since at the gate baggage is $100 whereas during booking it is ~$35, and during online checkin, ~$45.

You can also upgrade to the “big front seat,” or to select a specific seat, but if I’m traveling ultra low cost, I’m not giving them anymore money than I absolutely have to.

Remember to do online check in and have access to print a boarding pass because spirit does not have an app and check in at the counter will run you $10. Shout out to the Embassy Suites for having free internet/printing by the check out desk during my stay in Houston.

Boarding

If you purchased baggage, you board first in zone 1, but as a personal item only person I boarded zone 4 seat 5F. I walked passed the big front seat, which was bigger, but not worth the extra money (~$40-80 one way).

I walked on, put my backpack under the seat, but still noticed the overhead bins were full. It seems people just put their personal items up there so as not to sacrifice the small amount of leg space. Therefore, it was still slow to board with people stopping to put bags in the bins.

The seats themselves are tight, but are the extra two inches worth double the ticket price? For me, no. This short 2 hour flight is about surviving not exactly enjoying the trip as would happen in international first class. I had a window seat and had an awesome seat mate. On the way back I didn’t chat with anyone at all, but I had enjoyable conversation on the way there. It helped to like your neighbor because inevitably you will bump arms or legs. On United flights, I typically lay the tray table down to sleep on it and choose aisle seating, but that was not possible in the amount of space. Thankfully, I had window seats each way.

The seats themselves seem “old” already even though there are advertisements on the plane saying that Spirit is the fit fleet with the newest planes of any airline. Yes things seem worn and budget materials, but it is a seat, it was comfortable, and I can see myself making this flight every other week saving money compared to flying United to Newark only once a month. This is great for a long distance relationship!

Flight

With a short delay on the tarmac, we were off. The flight attendants were great. They were funny, quick, and smiled often. Although there were no drinks or snacks provided, they did come by to ask if you wanted to purchase anything. My seatmate didn’t know that water wasn’t included so he had to buy a bottle. I had bought a bottle of Smart Water in the airport and a Quizno sandwich, which put me out ~$15. Typically I don’t buy lunch/dinner before a flight because I can count on United giving me nuts, pretzels, and extras if I ask nicely. But I have to say that I was more satisfied eating a hoagie for dinner than eating 2-3 packs of pretzels.

The captain updated us briefly along the way, the flight was smooth, and almost everyone around me was talking to their neighbors compared to other flights where most people are quiet except the people 2 seats s you talking in their outdoor voices (that used to be me because I can’t hear well on planes when my ears don’t equalize, but I’ve learned to talk softer than I think I have to).

Since the rows are closer together you hear more babies and conversations, but if you are talking yourself you don’t really hear it. On the way back I was silent, put in headphones, and didn’t mind my neighbors at all.

Overall

Spirit is about managing expectations. If you are looking to be pampered and someone to have amazing customer service, or you have to bring a full size carry on, don’t fly Spirit. If you want your butt and your purse/backpack in a seat, get somewhere cheaply, and to bring your own bottle of water or buy it, you will save a ton of money flying Spirit.

Travel better my friends,
Vera