Spirit Airlines is a low-cost carrier that is not-so-low-cost if you get caught up in its fees. Â Apparently this model is working for them. Despite being #1 in complaints, they are also #1 in profits.
According to the LA Times:
“The Unfriendly Skies,†a report by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, found that Spirit had the highest complaint rate from 2009 to 2013. It showed that Spirit had 9.440 complaints per 100,000 passengers in 2013, up from 6.75 complaints per 100,000 fliers in 2009.
Spirit’s complaint rates were more than three times higher than the second-place airline each year, the report said.
But a report released last week by Airline Weekly gave Spirit reason to smile: Spirit had the highest profit margin (17%) of any North American airline, compared to 9% for Delta and 8% for both Southwest and American Airlines.
http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-spirit-airline-highest-profit-20140418,0,5349811.story#ixzz2zZdkNfje
Spirit is a necessary evil.  It provides a lot-cost solution for budget travelers.  And this solution is apparently very profitable.
But sometimes the costs get out of control for flyers with carry-on baggage and even ticket printing fee!
Luckily, Tiff put together a guide on how to fly Spirit Airlines (if you must).
While you are on the Spirit flight, you can enjoy a nice can of cold wine.