The Trader Harbor
  • Business
  • Politics
  • World News
  • Stocks
  • Business
  • Politics
  • World News
  • Stocks

The Trader Harbor

World News

Budget airline Spirit is trying to go upmarket — and blocking middle seats

by admin July 31, 2024
July 31, 2024
Budget airline Spirit is trying to go upmarket — and blocking middle seats

Free Wi-Fi? Free checked bag? Free snacks? On Spirit?

The Florida-based carrier that is practically synonymous with budget air travel in the U.S. said Tuesday that it plans to offer packages for its highest-priced tickets, wrapping in perks it used to charge for a la carte. It’s a bid to increase revenue as it struggles with the aftermath of a U.S.-blocked takeover by JetBlue, engine recalls, an oversupplied domestic market, and larger rivals who have capitalized on premium and cost-conscious travelers alike.

Starting late next month, Spirit will offer four categories of service:

“Go Big” Tickets will include a spot in one of the airline’s Big Front Seats, its roomy seats at the front of its Airbus planes. Instead of upselling travelers for the seat alone, the assignment will come with free Wi-Fi, a checked bag, one piece of cabin luggage, and, CEO Ted Christie told CNBC, “unlimited” snacks and drinks, including alcoholic beverages.

Below that package is “Go Comfy,” which will offer travelers a seat with standard legroom but a blocked middle seat for extra space. That offer also includes earlier boarding, one snack, one nonalcoholic beverage, and checked baggage and a carry-on.

“Go Savvy” fares come with either a checked bag or a carry-on.

Then there’s just “Go,” essentially Spirit’s original product, with just a seat and fees for checked bags, cabin luggage, seat selection, Wi-Fi and snacks.

The options will be available to book Aug. 16, and all four will be available on flights from Aug. 27.

Spirit is competing with larger airline rivals like United that have capitalized on cost-conscious travelers with their own bare-bones products but still offer higher-priced options like extra legroom and first class.

“What we realized now is that we were sort of ceding other markets to other airlines,” Christie said in an interview. “Now we’re saying, no, we can still do what we were doing before, but we’re also going to compete for people who are willing or want a little bit more of a premium feel and and would pay for that. They just didn’t have it on us.”

Spirit earlier this month warned of a wider-than-expected loss after nonticket revenue — what it collects in the form of fees — came in lighter than it had previously forecast. The carrier has also warned pilots about potential furloughs in the coming months.

Spirit isn’t the only carrier looking to increase its upmarket seats to attract more customers. Southwest Airlines, also under pressure to raise revenue, last week said it plans to ditch open seating and offer “premium” seats with more legroom, the biggest overhaul in the airline’s more than 50 years of flying. Frontier Airlines in March said it would start offering blocked middle seats at the front of the plane for a higher price.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
Tesla recalls 1.8 million vehicles over unlatched hood issue
next post
The first Fed interest rate cut in years is on the horizon. Here’s what you need to know.

Related Posts

Is it time to rethink the 4% retirement...

May 15, 2024

McKinsey & Co. to pay $650M to settle...

December 18, 2024

Consumer advocates and realtors hail NAR settlement: What it...

March 26, 2024

Pfizer CEO says tariff uncertainty is deterring further...

May 2, 2025

‘Buy now, pay later’ goes from niche to...

March 10, 2024

DeepSeek hit with large-scale cyberattack, says it’s limiting...

January 28, 2025

Hatch Baby recalls 919,000 power adapters on Rest...

July 4, 2024

Federal judge overturns $4.7 billion jury verdict in...

August 3, 2024

Willow Bay and Bob Iger to take controlling...

July 18, 2024

July 4 travel hitting a record thanks to...

July 5, 2024

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Latest

    • Apple reveals complex system of App Store fees to avoid E.U. fine of 500 million euros

      June 30, 2025
    • Breakdown of NVDA’s Stock Price and S&P 500: Actionable Technical Insights

      June 30, 2025
    • Thom Tillis announces retirement from Senate after clash with Trump

      June 30, 2025
    • SCOOP: House Republican eyes bid for Thom Tillis Senate seat after Trump attack

      June 30, 2025
    • Dem delay tactic ends, debate begins on Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’

      June 30, 2025
    • GOP, Dem senators remain divided over Medicaid after Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ vote

      June 30, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (1,272)
    • Politics (3,873)
    • Stocks (1,477)
    • Uncategorized (45)
    • World News (1,265)
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: TheTraderHarbor, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 thetraderharbor.com | All Rights Reserved