Southwest vs Spirit: Which Is Better?

The Quick Answer

Southwest is better for the vast majority of travelers. It's more reliable, has a significantly larger network, treats passengers better during disruptions, and includes more in your ticket price. Spirit can be cheaper if you're truly flying with nothing but a small personal item, but the moment you add bags or any extras, the price gap shrinks fast.

There's also an elephant in the room: Spirit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is currently restructuring. It plans to emerge by early summer, but its network has shrunk dramatically. Keep that in mind as you read this comparison.

Pricing: The Real Cost

Spirit's whole pitch is the ultra-low base fare. You might see a flight for $29 or $49. Looks incredible. But that price includes only a seat and one small personal item that fits in the smaller sizer bin. Everything else costs extra.

• Carry-on bag: Around $43 each way if booked in advance, potentially double that at the gate
• Checked bag: Additional fees on top of carry-on
• Seat selection: Extra charge
• Water: They'll charge you for a bottle of water

Southwest's fares start higher, but here's what's included: a carry-on bag, a personal item, no change fees, and no cancellation fees. Southwest recently started charging for checked bags ($35 for the first, $45 for the second), ending its famous "Bags Fly Free" policy for most fare types. But if you hold a Southwest co-branded credit card, you still get two free checked bags.

When you add up Spirit's a la carte fees, the total cost is often comparable to or higher than Southwest. Do the math on your specific trip before assuming Spirit is cheaper.

Network and Schedule

Southwest operates over 87,000 flights per week to 177 destinations. Spirit, even before its restructuring, served about 90 destinations with roughly 6,000 weekly flights. Post-bankruptcy, Spirit is shrinking further to focus on 76-80 aircraft serving its strongest markets: Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Detroit, and the New York area.

This matters for a practical reason. If your Southwest flight gets cancelled, the airline can almost certainly rebook you on another flight the same day. If your Spirit flight gets cancelled, there might not be another option until tomorrow. Southwest's massive schedule provides a safety net that Spirit simply can't match.

Seat Comfort

Neither airline is going to win awards for spacious seating, but Southwest is noticeably more comfortable. Southwest's seats offer around 32-33 inches of pitch, which is generous for a low-cost carrier. Spirit's seats are tighter at about 28 inches of pitch, and the seats don't recline.

Spirit's seats are essentially lawn chairs with seatbelts. They're thin, there's minimal padding, and you'll feel every minute of a flight longer than two hours. Southwest's seats aren't luxury, but they're genuinely comfortable enough for a domestic flight.

Baggage Policies

Southwest includes a carry-on bag and personal item with every fare. Checked bags now cost $35 and $45, but co-branded credit cardholders get two free checked bags (for themselves and up to eight companions on the reservation).

Spirit charges for everything beyond a small personal item. A carry-on costs around $43 if pre-booked and can cost $99 at the gate. Checked bags are additional. If you're the type of traveler who packs light with just a small backpack, Spirit's model can work. For everyone else, Southwest's inclusion of a carry-on is a significant advantage.

Change and Cancellation Policies

Southwest has no change fees and no cancellation fees on any fare type. If your plans change, you can cancel and receive travel credit without penalty. This flexibility is one of Southwest's biggest selling points and something Spirit doesn't match.

Spirit charges fees for flight changes unless you purchased a more expensive fare bundle. If you need to cancel, refund policies vary by fare type and timing. Southwest is dramatically more flexible here.

Customer Service

Southwest consistently ranks among the top airlines for customer satisfaction. Its employees have a reputation for being friendly and going the extra mile during disruptions. When things go wrong, Southwest tends to handle it better than most airlines.

Spirit sits at or near the bottom of every customer satisfaction survey. The airline's model is built around low costs, and customer service isn't a priority. Hold times can be long, gate agents have limited power to fix problems, and the overall experience during disruptions is poor.

This difference shows up most when things go wrong. A cancelled Southwest flight means a helpful agent rebooking you quickly. A cancelled Spirit flight can mean hours of frustration with few alternatives.

In-Flight Experience

Southwest provides free in-flight entertainment through its app, free messaging on Wi-Fi, and complimentary non-alcoholic beverages including a full can of soda (not just a cup). The flight attendants are generally cheerful, and the boarding process, while unconventional with open seating, moves efficiently.

Spirit's in-flight experience is bare-bones. No seatback entertainment. No free Wi-Fi. No free drinks beyond water (and even that has been charged in the past). Snacks and beverages are available for purchase. The experience is functional but joyless.

Spirit's Bankruptcy: What You Need to Know

Spirit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and announced a restructuring plan in March. It expects to emerge by early summer. The airline is reducing its fleet to 76-80 aircraft and focusing on its strongest markets. It has already ceased operations at several airports.

During the restructuring, Spirit says existing tickets, credits, and loyalty points remain valid. But there's inherent uncertainty when an airline is in bankruptcy. Routes can be cut, schedules can change, and the long-term viability of the airline isn't guaranteed.

If you book a Spirit flight, consider travel insurance or use a credit card with trip protection. Southwest, by contrast, is one of the most financially stable airlines in the US.

Boarding Process

Southwest uses open seating. There are no assigned seats. Instead, you're given a boarding position (A, B, or C group) and choose your seat when you board. It takes some getting used to, but frequent Southwest flyers like the system because checking in early or paying for EarlyBird can guarantee a good seat.

Note: Southwest has announced it will transition to assigned seating, which will change this dynamic. Check Southwest's website for the latest on this rollout.

Spirit uses assigned seating, but the best seats cost extra. If you don't pay for a seat assignment, you'll be randomly assigned one at check-in, which often means a middle seat in the back.

The Bottom Line

Southwest is the better airline by virtually every measure except base fare price. It's more reliable, more comfortable, more flexible with changes, and treats its customers better. The total cost difference between the two is often smaller than it appears once Spirit's fees are factored in.

Spirit makes sense only in a narrow scenario: you're flying a short route with nothing but a small personal item, you don't care about comfort, and the fare is dramatically cheaper than Southwest. For everyone else, Southwest is the obvious choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Spirit actually cheaper than Southwest?

Sometimes, but not as often as you'd think. Spirit's base fares are lower, but once you add a carry-on bag ($43+ each way), seat selection, and any other extras, the total price is often comparable to Southwest, which includes a carry-on and personal item in every fare.

Is Spirit Airlines going out of business?

Spirit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is restructuring. It plans to emerge by early summer with a smaller fleet of 76-80 aircraft focused on its strongest markets. The airline is still operating and selling tickets during the process.

Does Southwest still have free checked bags?

Not for all passengers. Southwest now charges $35 for the first checked bag and $45 for the second on most fare types. However, Southwest co-branded credit cardholders still get two free checked bags, and that benefit extends to up to eight companions on the same reservation.

Which airline has more legroom?

Southwest, by a significant margin. Southwest offers about 32-33 inches of seat pitch. Spirit offers around 28 inches with non-reclining seats. The difference is very noticeable, especially on flights longer than two hours.

Can I change my flight for free on Southwest?

Yes. Southwest has no change fees and no cancellation fees on any fare type. You can cancel and receive travel credit, or change to a different flight without penalty. Spirit charges for changes on most fare types.