Latest news with #extraLegroom
The Independent
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Spirit Airlines introduces new seats and ‘comfy' perks in bid for premium passengers
Spirit Airlines will be offering new incentives, including improved seats, in an attempt to lure travelers. The airline's newly announced options offer customers access to seats with extra legroom and a slew of accompanying perks. Spirit previously offered more space to passengers through a 'Go Comfy' option, which blocked off a middle seat in a row of three seats. According to the press release, this option will soon be phased out and replaced with seats with extra legroom. The flight package also includes a carry-on bag, no change or cancel fees, priority boarding, reserved overhead bin space, a snack, and a non-alcoholic beverage in addition to the larger seat. Seven rows toward the front of the plane, totaling more than 40 seats, will have 32 inches of space rather than the customary 28. The new 'Go Comfy' plan will be available for booking Thursday, and travelers will able to start flying in those seats July 9. 'Spirit's new premium options offer travelers exceptional value, and we're creating even more opportunities for Guests to experience them with our new extra-legroom seating option,' Rana Ghosh, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Spirit Airlines, said in a press release. 'We're also adding more value and perks for our loyalty members at a time when others are taking away benefits, giving our most loyal Guests even more reasons to choose Spirit.' Later this year, Spirit will be introducing its two free checked bags policy in collaboration with Bank of America. This will only be available to Free Spirit Travel More Mastercard Cardholders. Other updates to the Spirit Loyalty program include free upgrades to Free Spirit status members and cobranded credit card holders, and points redemption for travel options such as Go Comfy. News of the airline's upgraded perks comes a few weeks after the company emerged from bankruptcy protection. The budget airline said in March that its parent, Spirit Aviation Holdings, exited Chapter 11 after finalizing debt restructuring. The reorganization plan, which received the court's green light in February, aimed to bring the carrier back to profitability and boost resources to compete with rivals. 'We're emerging as a stronger and more focused airline,' CEO Ted Christie, who will continue to lead Spirit post-bankruptcy, said in a statement at the time. The restructuring deal allowed Spirit to convert $795 million of its debt into equity. The company said it also received a $350 million equity investment from existing investors to aid future operations.
Travel Weekly
13-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Spirit is rolling out extra-legroom seats
Spirit Airlines is introducing extra-legroom seats. The discount carrier, which is hoping to turnaround its loss-making financial performance by appealing to a wider swath of flyers, will convert seven rows of its aircraft, accounting for 42 seats, into extra-legroom rows. The seats will be spaced 32 inches behind the seats in front of them, compared to Spirit's standard row separation of 28 inches. They'll be the first extra-space seats offered by the airline, with the exception of exit rows and its first-class-style Big Front Seat, which features extra width and legroom. Spirit plans to complete most of the interior retrofits quickly, with installation beginning next month and rolling out over most of the fleet by July. Remaining installations will take place next year. Part of Go Comfy fare product Spirit will merchandise the seats as part of its Go Comfy fare product, which is the second most elevated of the four fare products the airline introduced last August as part of its adoption of a less discount-oriented consumer model. Go Comfy bundles have, up to now, included a blocked middle seat next to the flyer. That offering will be replaced by the extra legroom seats, which will be available for purchase on May 15 for flights beginning July 9. Go Comfy bundles will continue to include a free carry-on, priority boarding and snack and beverage service. As part of Tuesday's announcement, Spirit also unveiled new perks in its Free Spirit loyalty program. The airline will now provide free upgrades to Comfy Seats and Big Front Seats at boarding to Free Spirit status members and holders of the Free Spirit credit card, based upon availability. The upgrade benefits will be extended to include one travel companion in June. Free Spirit perks The airline has also expanded Free Spirit point redemption options to include redemptions for its top-level Go Big bundle as well as the Go Comfy bundle. And later this year, holders of the Spirit co-branded Mastercard will get two free checked bags per flight.
