Will Spirit Airlines Seat Families Together? Navigating the Skies with Your Loved Ones

The burning question on every parent’s mind when considering budget travel with Spirit Airlines is: will we actually be seated together as a family? The short answer, while not as comforting as one might hope, is: not necessarily, unless you pay for it. Spirit Airlines operates on an a la carte pricing model, which means seating assignments are an additional cost. Without pre-selecting seats, there’s a very real chance your family will be scattered throughout the aircraft.

Understanding Spirit’s Seating Policy

Spirit Airlines aims to offer the lowest possible base fares. To achieve this, they unbundle many traditionally included services, such as checked baggage, carry-on bags (beyond a personal item), and, crucially, seat assignments. This means that if you don’t actively choose and pay for your seats, Spirit will assign them randomly at check-in. This random assignment does not guarantee that family members, even young children with their parents, will be seated together. The risk of being separated increases significantly if the flight is heavily booked.

Why Pre-Selecting Seats is Crucial for Families

Imagine the stress and anxiety of boarding a flight, only to discover your children are seated several rows away from you. This scenario is precisely what Spirit’s seating policy can create for families. Here’s why pre-selecting seats is paramount:

Peace of Mind: Knowing your family is seated together eliminates the stress and uncertainty associated with random assignments. You can relax and enjoy the journey knowing your children are within reach.
Child Safety: For younger children, being seated near a parent or guardian is essential for their safety and well-being. Parents can provide comfort, assistance, and supervision throughout the flight.
Convenience: Traveling with children often involves managing snacks, drinks, and entertainment. Being seated together makes these tasks significantly easier.
Avoiding Potential Conflict: While kind-hearted passengers often volunteer to switch seats, relying on their goodwill isn’t a reliable strategy. Pre-selecting avoids the awkwardness and potential disappointment of trying to rearrange seating arrangements on board.
Minimizing Disruptions: Keeping children close ensures parents can address their needs and prevent potential disruptions to other passengers.

Strategies for Securing Family Seating on Spirit

While paying for seat selection is the most reliable method, here are some alternative strategies you can attempt, though their success isn’t guaranteed:

Book Early: Booking your flights well in advance increases the likelihood of finding adjacent seats still available for selection. The earlier you book, the more options you’ll have.
Check-in Early: Check-in online as soon as it opens (typically 24 hours before departure). This might give you a slight advantage in the random assignment process, but don’t rely on it.
Arrive Early at the Gate: Explain your situation to the gate agent and politely request assistance in finding seats together. While they may try to accommodate you, especially if you have young children, their ability to do so depends on available seats and airline policy. Be prepared for the possibility of being told they cannot accommodate your request.
Consider Spirit Bundles: Spirit often offers bundled packages that include seat selection, baggage allowance, and other perks. Compare the cost of the bundle to the individual fees to see if it’s a more economical option.
Travel During Off-Peak Times: Flights during less popular travel times might have more open seats, increasing the chances of being assigned seats together.

Navigating Spirit’s Seat Selection Process

If you decide to pre-select your seats, you can do so during the booking process or later through the “My Trips” section on Spirit’s website or mobile app.

Review the Seat Map: Carefully examine the seat map to choose seats that are adjacent or as close as possible. Be aware that seats near the front of the plane and those with extra legroom (Big Front Seats) typically come with a higher price tag.
Understand the Fees: Seat selection fees vary depending on the flight, seat location, and demand. Be prepared to pay a fee for each seat you select.
Confirm Your Selection: Double-check your seat selection before finalizing your booking to ensure accuracy.
Keep Your Boarding Pass Handy: Your boarding pass will clearly indicate your assigned seat numbers.

Weighing the Costs and Benefits

Ultimately, the decision to pay for seat selection on Spirit Airlines is a personal one. Consider the following factors:

Your Budget: Can you afford the extra cost of seat selection?
The Age of Your Children: Are you comfortable with young children being seated away from you?
Your Risk Tolerance: Are you willing to take the risk of being separated?
Your Travel Style: Do you prefer to have everything pre-arranged, or are you more flexible and adaptable?

For many families, the peace of mind and convenience of guaranteed seating outweigh the additional cost. However, if you’re on a tight budget and willing to take a chance, you might opt to rely on random assignments or attempt to secure seats together at the gate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does Spirit Airlines guarantee that my family will sit together if I don’t pay for seat selection?

No, Spirit Airlines does not guarantee that your family will be seated together if you don’t pay for seat selection. Their policy is to assign seats randomly at check-in if seats aren’t pre-selected.

2. How much does it cost to select seats on Spirit Airlines?

The cost of seat selection on Spirit Airlines varies depending on factors such as the flight route, seat location, and time of booking. Prices can range from a few dollars to upwards of $50 per seat.

3. What happens if I don’t select seats and my family is split up?

If you don’t select seats and your family is split up, you can try asking other passengers or the flight attendants to help rearrange seating arrangements. However, there’s no guarantee that they’ll be able to accommodate your request, especially on a full flight.

4. Can I change my seat assignment after I’ve already booked my flight on Spirit Airlines?

Yes, you can usually change your seat assignment after booking your flight, but you may have to pay an additional fee, especially if you’re upgrading to a seat with more legroom or a preferred location. You can make changes through the “My Trips” section on Spirit’s website.

5. Are there any exceptions to Spirit’s seating policy for families with young children?

While Spirit Airlines doesn’t have a formal policy guaranteeing families with young children will be seated together, they may try to accommodate such requests if possible, especially if you speak to a gate agent before boarding. However, this is not guaranteed and depends on seat availability.

6. What are “Big Front Seats” on Spirit Airlines, and are they worth the extra cost for families?

Big Front Seats on Spirit Airlines are larger seats located at the front of the aircraft that offer more legroom and wider seats. They can be a worthwhile investment for families who value extra comfort, but they come at a premium price. Consider your budget and comfort preferences.

7. If I have status with another airline, will it help me get better seating on Spirit Airlines?

No, status with other airlines typically doesn’t transfer to Spirit Airlines. Spirit doesn’t participate in reciprocal loyalty programs with major carriers.

8. Is it better to book through Spirit directly or through a third-party website to increase my chances of getting seats together?

It generally doesn’t matter where you book your flight in terms of seat selection. Whether you book directly through Spirit or a third-party website, you’ll still be subject to Spirit’s seating policy and fees.

9. What is the best time to check in online to potentially get better seat assignments?

The earlier you check in online (24 hours before departure), the slightly better your chances might be of getting preferred seat assignments. However, random assignments are still random, and this is not a guaranteed solution.

10. If I am traveling with an infant, does Spirit Airlines have specific seating policies?

Yes, when traveling with an infant that will be on your lap, Spirit Airlines requires you to sit in a seat with an additional oxygen mask. If you haven’t pre-selected your seat, ensure you make it known during check-in that you are traveling with a lap infant.

11. Does Spirit offer family boarding for those traveling with young children?

Spirit Airlines does not typically offer family boarding, unless you are a member of their paid membership program.

12. What recourse do I have if Spirit Airlines fails to seat my family together after I paid for assigned seats?

If you paid for assigned seats and Spirit fails to honor that arrangement, you should immediately file a complaint with Spirit Airlines. Document everything, including your boarding passes and receipts. You may be entitled to a refund of the seat selection fees. Contact Spirit’s customer service department as soon as possible.