The day after the Department of Transportation released it’s annual report on airline complaints showing Spirit Airlines at the top of the list, Spirit Airlines has anounced that active-duty members traveling on Spirit Airlines will no longer have to pay baggage fees on up to two checked bags and one free carry on…Classy move Spirit Air.
Effective Feb. 19, the new policy is in line with other airlines’ policies regarding baggage fees for military personnel. Spirit will also offer refunds at its ticket counters for any active-duty military member who has already purchased bags for an upcoming trip.
“This is the right thing to do and the right time to implement this change,” said Robert Fornaro, Spirit Airlines’ president and chief executive officer. He also added, “After eight years of impressive growth as an ultra-low cost carrier, this is the first of many steps Spirit is taking to improve the overall customer experience.”
2015 was the first year the Department of Transportation included Spirit in its complaint reporting. In 2007 Spirit Airlines changed to a self-described “ultra-low cost carrier.” Prior to 2007, it operated as a more conventional airline.
This comes as great news for active-duty military. Previously, all passengers within the airline’s business model, enjoy a cheap fare but were charged for everything else such as water, coffee, checked bags, and carry-on bags. This is a small battle victory for all active-duty, in the benefits war.