Spirit vs Frontier Who Wins Budget Travel Wars?
— 6 min read
The cheapest U.S. airline for 2024 is Spirit Airlines, with an average base fare of $58 per one-way flight. That figure comes from a NerdWallet analysis of carrier fees and ticket prices published in March. For travelers hunting cheap flights, Spirit’s ultra-low-fare model still beats the competition on price alone.
How Spirit Stacks Up Against Other Low-Cost Carriers
Key Takeaways
- Spirit’s average base fare sits at $58, well below rivals.
- Bag fees are the biggest cost driver for all ULCCs.
- Booking early can shave $15-$30 off the ticket price.
- Ancillary revenue now exceeds 40% of Spirit’s total earnings.
- Understanding fee structures saves travelers up to $50 per trip.
When I first covered ultra-low-cost carriers (ULCCs) in 2019, Spirit was already notorious for its a la carte pricing. From what I track each quarter, the airline has doubled down on that model, turning ancillary fees into a major profit engine. In my coverage, I’ve watched the numbers tell a different story than the headline-grabbing “cheapest airline” tagline. The base fare is low, but the total cost can balloon quickly if you’re not careful.
Below I break down the fee structures, compare them with three other major ULCCs - Frontier, Allegiant, and Sun Country - and illustrate how a typical domestic round-trip looks on paper. All figures are drawn from the March 2024 NerdWallet report, which audited published fares, baggage fees, seat-selection charges, and other optional add-ons for the first-class of tickets sold between January and February 2024.
"Spirit’s base fare is $58 on average, but the average ancillary cost per passenger is $34, pushing the effective ticket price to $92," the NerdWallet analysis notes.
Fee Anatomy of the Four ULCCs
| Carrier | Average Base Fare | Carry-On Fee | Checked Bag (1st) | Seat Selection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit | $58 | $30 | $30 | $10-$30 |
| Frontier | $72 | $30 | $35 | $15-$35 |
| Allegiant | $78 | $35 | $40 | $20-$40 |
| Sun Country | $85 | $25 | $30 | $15-$25 |
Notice how Spirit’s base fare leads the pack by a comfortable margin, but its carry-on and checked-bag fees are on par with the competition. The real differentiator is the optional seat-selection fee, which can range from $10 for a standard seat to $30 for extra legroom. If you’re willing to sit wherever the gate assigns, you can keep the total under $100 for a one-way trip.
Sample Itinerary: New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX)
| Carrier | Base Fare | Carry-On | Checked Bag | Seat Selection | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit | $58 | $30 | $30 | $0 | $118 |
| Frontier | $72 | $30 | $35 | $20 | $157 |
| Allegiant | $78 | $35 | $40 | $30 | $183 |
| Sun Country | $85 | $25 | $30 | $15 | $155 |
For the same coast-to-coast route, a traveler who forgoes a checked bag and seat selection can land at just $118 on Spirit, compared with $155-$183 on its peers. That’s a $37-$65 saving, which adds up fast for families or frequent flyers.
How to Keep the Total Cost Low
- Book Early: Spirit’s fares increase by roughly 10% after the 14-day window before departure, according to the NerdWallet data.
- Travel Light: The carry-on fee is $30, but the airline allows a personal item (e.g., a small backpack) for free.
- Skip Seat Selection: If you’re comfortable with a middle-seat, you can avoid the $10-$30 charge.
- Use the “Free Spirit” Loyalty Program: Accumulated points can be redeemed for free bags, effectively reducing the ancillary cost to zero.
In my experience, the biggest surprise for first-time ULCC passengers is the way airlines bundle services. Many think the advertised $58 fare is the final price, only to discover a $30 bag fee and a $25 seat-selection charge at checkout. By breaking down each line item, the true cost becomes transparent.
Comparing Revenue Models: Why Fees Matter
Spirit’s 2023 Form 10-K shows that ancillary revenue comprised 42% of total operating income, up from 38% in 2022. That ratio eclipses legacy carriers, which typically see 20%-25% from ancillary sources. The shift reflects a broader industry trend: airlines are moving from a “ticket-price” model to a “menu-price” model, where the base fare is a hook and the real profit lies in add-ons.
Frontier and Allegiant have similar strategies, but their higher base fares dilute the perceived savings. Sun Country, which operates a hybrid model, keeps its base fare higher but offers bundled packages that can be competitive for travelers who need a checked bag and seat selection.
Budget Travel Tips for Flying Spirit
- Sign up for price alerts on Spirit’s website; the airline often releases flash sales that cut the base fare by 15%-20%.
- Use a credit card that reimburses airline fees; several travel cards cover baggage fees up to $25 per year.
- Consider alternate airports. For example, flying out of Philadelphia (PHL) instead of New York (JFK) can shave $10-$15 off the base fare.
- Travel during off-peak days (Tuesday, Wednesday). The NerdWallet study found average fares $5 lower on those days.
From what I track each quarter, the combination of early booking, fee awareness, and strategic airport choice can reduce a round-trip coast-to-coast itinerary to under $200 - a price point that was unheard of a decade ago.
International Budget Travel: Applying the Same Logic to Ireland and Switzerland
While the focus here is U.S. domestic travel, the same fee-scrutiny applies overseas. Budget airlines like Ryanair in Ireland and EasyJet in Switzerland operate under a similar a la carte model. Their base fares can be as low as €15, but baggage, seat, and boarding-priority fees quickly add up.
For a weekend trip to Dublin, a traveler might pay €20 for a base ticket, €25 for a checked bag, and €10 for a seat. The total mirrors a U.S. Spirit flight in cost structure, reinforcing that the “cheapest fare” label only tells part of the story.
Insurance Considerations for Budget Travelers
Low-cost carriers typically do not include trip-cancellation protection. According to the Money.com review of dental insurance plans (which also covers travel-related health benefits), a basic travel-insurance policy can cost as little as $5 per trip and offers reimbursement for flight cancellations, lost baggage, and medical emergencies.
In my coverage of travel insurance, I’ve found that adding a $5-$10 policy to a Spirit itinerary is a prudent move, especially when the total cost is under $150. The marginal expense provides peace of mind without eroding the savings gained from the low base fare.
Looking Ahead: Will Spirit Remain the Cheapest?
The Federal Aviation Administration’s 2024 forecast predicts modest fuel price increases, which could pressure ULCCs to raise base fares. However, Spirit’s business model is built to absorb cost spikes through ancillary fees rather than fare hikes. In my view, as long as the airline maintains its $30-$35 bag fees and continues to monetize seat selection, it will stay ahead of the price curve.
Investors watch Spirit’s earnings with interest. The company reported a 7% year-over-year increase in ancillary revenue in Q2 2024, a sign that passengers are still willing to pay for optional services. For budget travelers, that means the airline will likely keep the base fare low while subtly shifting the cost to add-ons - a dynamic that can be managed with careful planning.
Final Thoughts
Spirit Airlines remains the cheapest U.S. carrier for 2024 when you isolate the base fare. The real challenge is navigating the web of optional fees that can erode that advantage. By understanding the fee structure, booking early, traveling light, and using a modest travel-insurance policy, you can keep the total cost well below $150 for a cross-country round-trip.
When I review budget airlines, I always ask: does the low headline price survive the checkout process? For Spirit, the answer is yes - if you play the game smartly.
Q: How much does a typical Spirit Airlines ticket cost after fees?
A: For a standard one-way flight, the base fare averages $58. Adding a $30 carry-on, $30 checked bag, and no seat selection brings the total to about $118, according to NerdWallet’s 2024 fee analysis.
Q: Are there ways to avoid the $30 carry-on fee?
A: Yes. Spirit allows one personal item (such as a small backpack or laptop bag) for free. By packing only that item, you can bypass the $30 carry-on charge entirely.
Q: How does Spirit’s ancillary revenue compare to legacy carriers?
A: Spirit reported that ancillary revenue made up 42% of its total operating income in 2023, nearly double the 20%-25% range typical of legacy airlines, highlighting its reliance on fees beyond the base fare.
Q: Is travel insurance necessary for a low-cost airline?
A: While not mandatory, a basic travel-insurance policy costing $5-$10 per trip can cover cancellations, lost baggage, and medical emergencies, protecting the modest savings you achieve on a Spirit flight.
Q: Will Spirit likely stay the cheapest carrier in 2025?
A: Analysts expect modest fuel price hikes in 2025, but Spirit’s strategy of keeping base fares low and offsetting costs with ancillary fees suggests it will likely remain the lowest-priced option, provided it maintains its current fee structure.
