MIRAMAR, Fla., Aug. 3, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spirit Airlines (Nasdaq:SAVE) this week is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its unique, innovative and customer-friendly carry-on bag policy. Launched one year ago amidst a media frenzy of emotion, the policy has proven to be a highly effective response to the boarding time maelstrom that still affects the rest of the U.S. airline industry.
- Specifically, Spirit's carry-on bag policy has produced the following direct benefits for customers:
- Customers who travel with less or check their baggage save money on every ticket.
- Customers who carry-on a large bag board the aircraft first and find space directly above their seat for their bag.
- With fewer customers carrying on large bags, boarding and deplaning times have decreased by an average of over 6 minutes.
- The need to check a bag on the jet bridge or on the airplane at the time of departure has been virtually eliminated.
- Onboard safety is enhanced resulting in a sharply reduced rate of injury to customers and crews.
"Spirit is committed to giving customers the power to save by creating options for consumers when other airlines promote conformity," said Spirit's President and CEO Ben Baldanza. "The carry-on policy was a bold move to address a real and costly boarding time delay concern, and has proven to be a true win for consumers."
"I recently traveled to San Juan via Spirit. I'm a member of the $9 club. The roundtrip was flawless. The new fee for carry-on luggage does work. We were onboard and seated within minutes. We were ready to depart 15 minutes before our scheduled departure. Charging the fee for carry-ons does decrease carry-ons and does speed up the boarding process. Thank you," says Luis from Hollywood, Florida.
Spirit's policy is to charge a fee for carry-on baggage that must be placed in an overhead bin. A personal item that fits under the seat is free, as is a list of specifically identified items, including medical assistive devices, diaper bags, and onboard reading material.
This policy is just one example of Spirit's overall consumer-friendly approach that empowers customers to save money. Following the recent elimination of several taxes on airline tickets on July 23, Spirit is one of the few airlines that is passing the tax savings along to its customers, a savings of up to $50 roundtrip. These types of savings in turn stimulate travel and economic activity, and create jobs. The airline also last week launched a grassroots movement to stop possible efforts underway by policy makers to double several governmental fees and another proposal that would add a new $35 takeoff tax to every ticket. These increased taxes would raise travel costs and stifle economic activity. Learn more by visiting www.dontTAXmeBRO.org.
About Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines (Nasdaq:SAVE) empowers customers to save money on air travel by offering ultra low base fares with a range of optional services for a fee, allowing customers the freedom to choose only the extras they value. This innovative approach grows the traveling market and stimulates new economic activity while creating new jobs. Spirit's modern fleet, configuration and other innovations enable Spirit to burn less fuel per seat than competitors, making Spirit the most environmentally-friendly U.S. carrier. Spirit's all-Airbus fleet currently operates more than 175 daily flights to over 45 destinations throughout the U.S., Latin America and Caribbean. Visit Spirit at www.spirit.com.
The Spirit Airlines logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=9737