Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines is the ultra-low-cost carrier that strips the airfare down and then charges separately for the extras. By our assessment, its strongest point is the bare-bones base fare, which can be attractive on short, price-sensitive domestic trips. The downside is built into the model: baggage, seat choice, and other add-ons can change the real total fast, and the onboard feel is intentionally minimal. In practice that means a very no-nonsense ride, with little room for comfort-seeking or planning around included perks. Spirit sits at the hardest edge of the U.S. budget airline market, more spartan than Southwest and often more aggressive about ancillaries than people expect. It is for travellers who know exactly what they want to pay for, and the rest of the experience is priced in separately.