The Single Biggest Reason I Avoid Spirit And Other Low Cost Carriers

Ha. You're a better person than me. I would not enjoy mingling with the clientele on those flights. Though it's speculation because I've never flown spirit, frontier, Ryanair. But I have flown air Asia and easyjet. I would prefer mingling with the clientele on jetsmarter.

Lack of redundancy is one factor. Lack of the standard amenities and perks that come with elite status on the legacy carriers is another.

I like my assigned seat, extra legroom, free checked bags, and the occasional upgrade to first class.

And while Southwest has free checked bags and a decent network, I don't like boarding my flight like I'm getting on a bus.

That's good in theory, but in reality all you'll really get with Delta is stranded in Atlanta or MSP. And if you were going through an evening flight, you're stuck till the next day anyway.

After an unexpected cancellation of an LGA->CVG flight, it was 2 days before Delta could find another flight to put me on. Considering I'm flying between two of their hubs (well, CVG not so much). Because the app kept throwing errors, I had to wait 2+ hours to speak to an agent.

Personally, I find Alaska to be the most flexible with this- after a 4 hour delay would've left me stranded, they basically offered to put me on any carrier (United, Delta, etc.)

I'm typically only concerned with network redundancy and Interline agreements on bigger/longer/more expensive trips. If I'm planning a multi-week cruise in another country, then yes I definitely want to know I have good back-up flight options if something goes sideways. But for a short weekend getaway that can be easily cancelled or driven if needed, no I'm not that concerned.

Also, didn't the legacies say that if you buy their basic economy fare, they're going to put you at the bottom of the list for rerouting in case of irregular ops? In other words, for those fares, there is no advantage to flying legacy rather than an ULCC?

Just wanted to share something that happened during one of my trips on Spirit, I had a confirmed ticket and flight was full. They asked, if anyone would give up a confirmed seat for promo use in the future. I gave up my seat and they put me on another spirit flight late next day. After asking them for an earlier flight I flew AA and got miles for ticket price of $600 while spending $30 out of my pocket and $200 worth of promo for future use.

I'm in Europe so i'd get a hotel and food at the airline's expense - and if they fail to get this arranged i can do it within reasonable boundaries by myself and send them the bill.
I also won't get fired for being stuck at the other end of Europe.
And: Our LCCs are also very reliable (because they want to avoid paying my hotel bill i assume).

In the US i'd pay the premium for legacy but here i don't mind Ryanair that much if they have a good price and connection.

@Billiken A memo has been circulating that (B) class fares on American will have last priority for irrops rebooking. This was specific to ground staff in Barcelona and currently, B class isn't sold on international routes with American.

And further, the larger legacy carriers have more staff - in person or on the phone - to be able to process the reaccomodation for dozens or sometimes hundreds of pax when something goes wrong. If Spirit has a cancellation in Boston, they may have only a few people on hand who will have to manage crowd control, answering questions, and rebooking all at once - and those people might even be contracted from other vendors whose top priority is not Spirit customers.

The legacy carriers have also been cutting back in this area and can struggle when there's a systemic issue like weather or a computer failure. But here also is somewhere that priority phone lines, lounge access, and priority rebooking can really be helpful, things which the low cost carriers can't offer.

I avoid them. I just don't want the hassle of the fine print about baggage, fees for oxygen, extra room, toilet use fees, pulling up to remote stands in inclement weather at some distant rural airport touting itself as 'Frankfurt' when you're 50 miles away, having to literally beg for a cup of potable water (read about RyanAir or was it EasyJet at one time looking at charging for toilet use). I have used Nikki Air in Europe and it wasn't bad. I also flew Southwest years ago one time but had no bags. I'll stick with the mainline carriers in J or F.

I pretty much only ever fly (or would fly) LCC between places where I have a home/place to stay that isn't paid (i.e. my own house, family's house, etc..) so that if things go sideways, I have a place to go back to without spending money on a hotel. I'm not an elite on any airline, so I don't get free upgrades or any of that snazzy stuff, but I do enjoy being able to pick my seat and bring a decent-sized carry-on. Im willing to pay extra for those.

Matt states:
And while Southwest has free checked bags and a decent network, I don’t like boarding my flight like I’m getting on a bus.

I might understand if you have exalted status on the legacy airlines and/or flying premium cabin but I disagree if you are not. Southwest's sequential number system is great. You don't need to stand in your boarding group until it is called and then you jump into your numbered slot.
Compare that to the boarding lanes at United (I'm guessing DL and AA are much the same). Passengers in Priority group 2 start lining up 30 minutes before boarding will ever be called. That line can be 50 passengers long when group 2 is finally called. I'd much rather have the SW system.

I've occasionally flown low-cost carriers for very specific reasons but hands down prefer to remain in my "cocoon of minimal interaction". I swoop right thru, board the plane, enjoy my cocktail and arrive to my destination. Any delays, I call the dedicated desk and get rebooked without having to stand in line or deal with someone at the counter who knows less than me about my options.

Yes, I worry about the redundancy network in LCC and tend not to fly them unless there is little choice. For example, last February, my husband and I had a very nice, inexpensive flight on Norweigian Airlines from JFK to the French Carribean island of Guadaloupe.

When booking a legacy carrier, I make certain that I have an alternate, later flight to my destination in case of delays or cancellation. This strategy won't work if my alternate is fully booked but, so far, this hasn't happened.

Lack of redundancy? Didn't this used to be called customer care?
Let's face it, flying anything less than domestic first class these days is misery. There is little chance of personal attention on the ground or in the plane (which is likely to be parked on the tarmac.)
The experience is largely about outsmarting or persevering with apps, phone centers, snaking lines, hub scenes, TSA shaming. Or, if you do get to deal with a human being, he/she is SO obviously bored to death with you as the Nth case number needing help, you might as well be dealing with one more of the robots.
Travis, yes indeed you are a better man than I if you like dealing with the hoi polloi and if you manage to keep some perspective on the process.
It used to be said that there are no atheists in a foxhole. I may be impious and just not tough enough, but I think of that often while traveling domestically.
My pleasure in domestic travel has been entirely replaced by dread.

By " clientele" you mean white nationalists and nazis? They have to get to Charlottesville some way.

In addition, Spirit is simply less reliable operationally than the legacy carriers. So the chance of IRROPS is higher with Spirit.

(At least those of us who know the miles and points game can often use miles on a legacy carrier as "plan B" at much lower cost than a cash walk-up fare.)

@ Neil

What you're missing about Matt's post is that for Southwest, you are obligated to line up else you may find yourself at the back and in the middle. With the legacy carriers, you don't have to line up because your seat is assigned. Hell, you can stay seated in the waiting area stuffing your face with pizza and beer until all the sheep have boarded, and then slowly make your way to the gate.

@ Neil

What you’re missing about Matt’s post is that for Southwest, you are obligated to line up else you may find yourself at the back and in the middle. With the legacy carriers, you don’t have to line up because your seat is assigned. Hell, you can stay seated in the waiting area stuffing your face with pizza and beer until all the sheep have boarded, and then slowly make your way to the gate.

Steve - but with the legacies, if you board late, there may not be any overhead bin space for your carry-on. (I'm with Neil - I prefer Southwest for my domestic travel.)

I don't fly Ryanair here in Europe. On top of the obnoxious advertising (making fake claims that they were looking at "standing" seats or that they would charge for toilets), the people flying it and the staff are unbearable. Plus, they fly to ridiculous locations in some instances (Beauvais instead of Paris or Hahn instead of Frankfurt for example).

I've been in a situation for last minute flights where they were (WAY!) cheaper than legacy here. My manager insisted I book with them and told me it was Ryanair or no travel, needless to say I called his bluff .

Skybus did not have a capital B. Do not ruin its good name!

Spirit also has fairly thin scheduling, often only once a day.

But at least they finally joined Pre-Check.

@ UAPHIL

That applies to Southwest as well. If you board late with them, there is a damn good chance there won't be any overhead bin space left. So I don't see how that is a check mark in Southwest's favor?

Steve - agreed. With any airline, you need to board reasonably early to assure yourself of overhead bin space. (So that is not a reason to book away from Southwest.)

@ UAPhil,

It depends on how you travel. Not everyone here travels with monster size carry on bags. I travel with a small backpack and laptop bag, both of which can be placed directly under the seat in front of me. In my case, I prefer boarding with the legacies because of a seat assignment.

It is not just the LCCs. Avoid the end of the day flight. Had a Delta Connection flight from LaGuardia to Savannah on Friday evening to attend a party on Saturday evening. As we boarded the flight a few sprinkles hit my head. As the plane taxied for takeoff we were informed our position was 40. About that time a huge rainstorm began. It was two hours of in claustrophobic cabin of the regional jet smelling JetA while crawling on the taxiway. When the plane was read to get in position, the engines revved as the plane crossed the runway to another taxiway. I knew what that meant and as the plane slowly returned to the terminal, the pilot announced the flight had been cancelled. Back at the counter the agent said we could get on a 6 pm connection through Atlanta on Saturday. I asked if she noticed our return flight was on Sunday morning. Thanked her for that information and requested our refund and went home.