Keep this in mind when you book your next flight. – Flying can be a hassle: Shrinking seats, delayed departures, and confusing terminals come together to make travel days less of an adventure and more of a headache. Sometimes with insider secrets, like these 13 things airlines won’t tell you, you can avoid problems, but you’ll also want to make sure you’re flying with the right airline.
As with any industry, the company you do business with can make all the difference. Fortunately for all frequent fliers, the annual Harris Poll reputation quotient made a list of the best and—and worst—extremely visible companies of 2020. The poll ranks the reputations of various companies, including airlines.
To make the list, a company has to be well-known and highly visible in society. The study then measures and evaluates these companies based on six things: vision and leadership, social responsibility, products and services, emotional appeal, workplace environment, and financial performance.
For the most recent poll, the highest-ranking airline was Southwest Airlines while United Airlines came in last. United Airlines’ reputation quotient was 66.7, landing it 11th from the bottom of the entire list of 100 companies. In comparison, Southwest’s quotient was 74.4 and landed it at #48 in total.
Although these numbers are telling, they factor in more than what affects day-to-day customers. Another ranking that focused solely on airlines placed Southwest as the third-best airline overall (Delta was its top choice). Southwest’s high ranking on both lists could be thanks to this year’s lower fares and an increase in the size of its route network.
Or, in the wake of a pandemic, Southwest’s flexible rebooking policy and amped up safety measures. The airline won points for its non-existent baggage and change fees, too. Last year’s worst ranking airline, Spirit Airlines, likely ranked so low because of their overpriced checked and carry-on bag fees, having seats that don’t recline, no complimentary drinks, and the fact that they are constantly canceling and delaying flights which can sometimes cause altercations in the airport.
This year, however, Spirit did not even make the rankings, likely falling out of visibility slightly due to COVID concerns and branding complications. And now, with a JetBlue Spirit airlines merger, we’re likely to see some changes to both airlines. Whatever airline you decide to book with, the flight attendants will hope you avoid these 18 things you should never do on an airplane,
Why do people not like Spirit Airlines?
Goodbye Spirit, America’s most hated airline Spirit Airlines, the low-cost carrier that launched thousands of late-night jokes and social media laments, may finally do what its haters wished for: go away forever. After an effort to merge with Frontier Airlines failed, Spirit said it had agreed to be acquired by JetBlue Airways, with the deal expected to close no later than the first half of 2024, pending shareholder and regulatory approval.
If the plan is approved, the signature yellow Spirit jets will be transformed into JetBlue planes, the snacks-for-purchase will give way to free chips and cookies and the long list of fees will turn into a shorter list of fees.This is the airline industry in the 21st century, after all.Spirit’s eventual demise is a fate that the airline’s critics may embrace.
“Spirit will always have a place in my heart,” said John Paul Rollert, a chronicler of the airline’s business practices and Spirit customer who teaches classes in leadership and ethics at the University of Chicago. “And it does yield heartburn.” Before nearly every airline started charging to check luggage, before legacy carriers created bare-bones “basic economy” fares, Spirit took a cue from Europe’s budget airline Ryanair and rolled out an ultra-low-cost model to consumers.
It unapologetically stripped away the free perks or even basic amenities that most fliers had come to expect, introducing fees to check bags, carry bags on, choose seats or have a boarding pass printed by an airport agent. Snacks and drinks – even water – come at a cost. Spirit promised low base fares in exchange but caught some travelers by surprise.
And it crammed planes full of seats to maximize the number of people it could carry, limiting legroom in the process. While Spirit wasn’t the only small airline with such a model, it became synonymous with the practices – for better or worse. “They were certainly intrepid explorers of the frontiers of misery in the friendly skies,” said Rollert, whose mother was a flight attendant.
- But in fairness, the other side of that is that they provided a way to make flying, I think on the whole, cheaper.
- They put a price on our misery, and for a lot of people, that price seems to be a pretty good one.” At the same time, Spirit drew widespread attention for provocative promotions to passengers that riffed on scandals.
The company offered a sale inspired by disgraced politician Anthony Weiner, deals that referenced an alleged prostitution scandal among Secret Service agents and an ad featuring a suntan oil-slathered woman in the wake of the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill that urged travelers to “check out the oil on our beaches.” Media outlets wrote about the outrage that followed the promos, giving Spirit what it was looking for: free press.
Can Spirit Airlines be trusted?
Reviews of Spirit Airlines – Spirit Airlines is a budget airline, and as the many budget airline reviews we’ve seen goes, it’s always a mixture of really good reviews and really bad ones. Recent customers have been dissatisfied with their service, despite the money they saved.
Why do people avoid Spirit?
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For more information check out our Advertising Disclosure, It’s undeniable: Americans love to hate Spirit Airlines. The airline is practically infamous for its bare bones service, tiny seats, and plenty of extra fees in exchange for cheap base fares. But even if you swear you’ll never set foot on a Spirit plane, the airline’s mere existence is a win for flyers across the board.
Why? Competition between airlines means lower fares, and few airlines have more power to drive fares lower than Spirit – even on the likes of American, Delta, or United. As Southwest Airlines expanded across the nation to become one of the largest domestic U.S.
- Carriers over the last several decades, the so-called “Southwest effect” drastically brought down fares where Southwest decided to fly.
- Spirit Airlines has taken that to another level.
- But now that dynamic is in doubt as JetBlue plans to acquire Spirit, eventually pulling the signature yellow Spirit planes out of the sky and folding them into its own fleet.
While that might be a win for flyers who would much rather have JetBlue’s generous legroom and gate-to-gate Wi-Fi, Spirit’s disappearance could be a major loss for cheap fares.
How sketchy is Spirit Airlines?
Is Spirit a sketchy airline? – No, Spirit Airlines is not a sketchy airline. The airline has been in operation for over 20 years and has an excellent safety record. Spirit was named the safest low-cost carrier globally by AirlineRatings.com in 2019. So you can rest assured that your safety is always our top priority.
Are Spirit Airlines seats uncomfortable?
2 / 10 ✅ Trip Verified | The seats were hard and didn’t recline. Very uncomfortable. It gave me a terrible back pain. It is amazing how airlines try to maximize profit at the expense of comfort and health.
| Seat Type | Economy Class |
| Aircraft Type | A320 |
| Seat Layout | 3×3 |
| Date Flown | January 2023 |
| Type Of Traveller | Family Leisure |
| Seat Legroom | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Recline | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Width | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Aisle Space | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Storage | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Recommended | no |
1 / 10 ✅ Trip Verified | The Big Seat! I was flying to New Orleans for a conference and splurged for the Big Seat. It was the longest flight I had ever taken with Spirit. Everyone I think knows you can only last a few hours in a regular economy seat. Well, at first when I sat down in the Big Seat, the bottom half of the seat sagged and left an uncomfortable gap between the bottom and back rest.
- I just overlooked that and just hoped for the best.
- After all the seats do have a leather pillow added to the head rest for extra comfort, wrong! About 20 minutes of leaning my head on this, I started to feel some pain in my neck.
- It was really hard to get comfortable after this point and the pain in the back of my neck turned into a cramp like feeling.
The only way I could get comfortable was to slide my head off the sewn in pillow so my head was more inline with the rest of my body. Turns out the pillow was extending my head forward so much that it was causing neck cramps. So my experience with paying extra for this supposedly upgraded seat turned out to be a total dud.
| Seat Type | Premium Economy |
| Aircraft Type | A320 |
| Seat Layout | 3×3 |
| Date Flown | May 2022 |
| Type Of Traveller | Couple Leisure |
| Seat Legroom | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Recline | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Width | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Aisle Space | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Storage | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Recommended | yes |
4 / 10 ✅ Trip Verified | For this particular trip back home to Philadelphia from Las Vegas I upgraded to the Big Front Seat. The flight was a little bit over five hours and it was better from my original flight to Las Vegas on a regular seat. I find that the older models have a more comfortable Big Front Seat with more legroom.
| Seat Type | Premium Economy |
| Aircraft Type | A320 Neo |
| Seat Layout | 2×2 |
| Date Flown | May 2022 |
| Type Of Traveller | Couple Leisure |
| Seat Legroom | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Recline | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Width | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Aisle Space | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Storage | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Recommended | yes |
3 / 10 ✅ Trip Verified | I was very excited to fly on this brand new configuration of the A320 Neo. We all know Spirit crams you in and for this particular flight I was on the middle seat, luckily for me I was traveling with two family members so we had the entire row and it was not that uncomfortable sitting in the middle because on each side I had family rather than strangers.
This was supposed to be a five hour flight from Philadelphia to Las Vegas that turned into a seven hour flight due to taxi delays at takeoff and once we landed. Those seats by no means are designed to be seated on for more than 4 hour maximum. I am 5’9″ 150lbs so it was not a matter of not fitting in the chair but a matter of virtually no padding.
Your lower back and legs begin to get num after 3 hours sitting on pretty much a plastic seat. Not sure Spirit will improve this but be aware that unless you can afford to upgrade to a Big Front Seat it will be brutal to fly on a regular seat for more than 3 hours.
| Seat Type | Economy Class |
| Aircraft Type | A320 Neo |
| Seat Layout | 3×3 |
| Date Flown | May 2022 |
| Type Of Traveller | Family Leisure |
| Seat Legroom | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Recline | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Width | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Aisle Space | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Storage | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Recommended | yes |
1 / 10 ✅ Trip Verified | Spirits new improved seats are not designed to fit most people comfortably. It took the rest of the day for my back and neck to feel normal. Forget sleeping, and sitting is barely tolerable. I will never fly Spirit economy again. I am giving a 1 because the program won’t let me rate this a zero
| Seat Type | Economy Class |
| Aircraft Type | A320 |
| Seat Layout | 3×3 |
| Date Flown | November 2021 |
| Type Of Traveller | Solo Leisure |
| Seat Legroom | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Recline | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Width | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Aisle Space | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Storage | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Recommended | no |
1 / 10 ✅ Trip Verified | The seats did not recline in any way and if you’re a larger than a teenager you have absolutely no room to move in those seats there is no in-flight entertainment no comfortability if you suffer from restless leg syndrome do not fly with them you have no room to adjust your legs your knees are basically touching the seat in front of you.
| Seat Type | Economy Class |
| Aircraft Type | A320 |
| Seat Layout | 3×3 |
| Date Flown | September 2021 |
| Type Of Traveller | Family Leisure |
| Seat Legroom | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Recline | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Width | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Aisle Space | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Storage | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Recommended | no |
1 / 10 ✅ Trip Verified | Absolutely worst! Avoid this airline at all cost. I’m 5’1″ and 170 Lbs and didn’t have a space to sit properly. Imagine if someone is a little bigger.4″x8″ tray table. Really? Why do you even bother having one? Seat doesn’t have a recline option. Just stiff the whole trip. Will never fly it ever again
| Seat Type | Economy Class |
| Aircraft Type | A320 |
| Seat Layout | 3×3 |
| Date Flown | March 2019 |
| Type Of Traveller | Solo Leisure |
| Seat Legroom | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Recline | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Width | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Aisle Space | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Viewing Tv Screen | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Power Supply | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Storage | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Recommended | no |
1 / 10 Not Verified | I have been traveling via airplane since I was 5 years old-I am now 47 years old. In my late 20’s I literally flew to a different city every single weekend from January to May for 6 years for work. Our company never splurged and flew us first-class or even business-class.
- Not to mention the fact that it was never the same airline.
- The ticket purchased was based on whichever airline offered the cheapest ticket.
- I was always in coach and can honestly say that I never got off the plane and thought, “Wow, that was an amazing and relaxing flight”.
- There were many times I was uncomfortable and complained about the experience.
I can honestly say that flying on Spirit Airlines was without exaggeration, worse than any flying experience I have ever encountered. The seats are literally the most uncomfortable plane seats I have sat in. They don’t recline even 1 centimeter and the head rest is so large that your neck is bent forward for the entire flight.
| Seat Type | Economy Class |
| Aircraft Type | A320 |
| Seat Layout | 3×3 |
| Date Flown | February 2019 |
| Type Of Traveller | Solo Leisure |
| Seat Legroom | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Recline | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Width | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Aisle Space | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Storage | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Recommended | no |
1 / 10 ✅ Trip Verified | Seats are the most uncomfortable I’ve ever experienced. With my personal minimum bag stuffed under the seat in front I had no leg room. I ended up putting my bag on my lap to be able to extend my legs. Seat spacing is so tight I sat with my arms pulled in to my lap.
- There is no way you could assume the crash position with your head between your knees.
- I keep shifting on my seat which was as hard as metal chair.
- In fact the seats are like metal folding chairs partially covered with a thin leatherette covering.
- I’m glad it was only a 4 and a half hour flight.
- Anything longer would have been totally unbearable.
I’ll never book this airline again. Cheap flight doesn’t offset extreme pain.
| Seat Type | Economy Class |
| Aircraft Type | A320 |
| Seat Layout | 3×3 |
| Date Flown | March 2018 |
| Type Of Traveller | Solo Leisure |
| Seat Legroom | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Recline | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Width | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Aisle Space | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Storage | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Recommended | no |
6 / 10 ✅ Trip Verified | Seat 13F, exit row window seat on the right side. Legroom is great. Seat bottom was worn and uncomfortable. Seat does not recline. There is a window (some exit row seat do not have windows, I hate not being able to look outside).
| Seat Type | Economy Class |
| Aircraft Type | A320 |
| Seat Layout | 3×3 |
| Date Flown | January 2018 |
| Type Of Traveller | Couple Leisure |
| Seat Legroom | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Recline | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Width | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Aisle Space | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Seat Storage | 1 2 3 4 5 |
| Recommended | yes |
What airline has the most issues?
Unreliable airlines are more prone to flight delays and cancellations that can result in a host of travel problems. A recent Compare the Market study highlights the world’s airlines that received the most complaints and flight problems. You might avoid these carriers, when possible, to be less likely to encounter unpleasant flight experiences.
- LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 06: American Airlines jet carrying the TCU Horned Frogs football team,
- Taxis as the teams arrive for the College Football Playoff National Championship on January 06, 2023, at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, CA.
- Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images American Airlines Is The Most Unreliable Among U.S.
Travelers U.S. travelers report that American Airlines is the most unreliable airline in the world when measured by the total flight problems and reported complaints in 2022. American is also the world’s largest airline, so this finding may not surprise frequent flyers.
- American Airlines: 2,183 flight problems and 6,491 reported complaints
- United Airlines: 1,583 flight problems and 5,135 reported complaints
- Spirit Airlines: 1,102 flight problems and 3,206 reported complaints
- JetBlue Airways: 1,167 flight problems and 2,979 reported complaints
- Frontier Airlines: 1,097 flight problems and 2,871 reported complaints
- Delta Air Lines: 937 flight problems and 2,851 reported complaints
- Southwest Airlines: 963 flight problems and 2,174 reported complaints
- Lufthansa: 167 flight problems and 1,796 reported complaints
- Air India: 49 flight problems and 1,661 reported complaints
- Air Canada: 335 flight problems and 1,292 reported complaints
Summary Commercial air travel is a delicate industry with many flight options. For the most part, many flight options can help passengers get the best departure times for their schedule and budget. However, many variables, including inclement weather delays and FAA grounded flights, can impact operations.
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When was the last plane crash for Spirit?
Incidents and accidents –
On July 10, 2022, Spirit Airlines Flight 383, an Airbus A320-232, suffered fire and smoke on its left main landing gear wheels during the landing sequence to Runway 28 at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Georgia, No injuries were reported and the plane was towed to the gate where passengers safely disembarked. The plane was taken out of service for inspection and maintenance.
Should I worry about flying with Spirit Airlines?
There Has Never Been A Fatal Crash – Spirit Airlines, being the most popular budget airline in the world, has an excellent safety record. The airline has never been involved in any major accident in its history. It was ranked as the second safest low-cost carrier globally by JACDEC in 2019 and AirlinesRatings.com in 2020.
