Spirit Airlines Introduces New Fees for Carry-On Bags

Spirit Airlines, based out of Florida, yesterday introduces a $45 fee for carry-on bags on all Spirit Airlines flights. The new carry-on fee applies to travel on or after August 1, 2010.

Spirit Airlines passengers will be allowed one free item of carry-on baggage, as long as that item fits under the seat in front of you. To qualify as your free personal carry on item, a bag must not exceed the dimensions of 16 inches by 14 inches by 12 inches.

So the new fee relates to usage of overhead cabin space.

The $45 carry-on bag fee will apply to all carry-on baggage, in excess of that one item, or if it does not meet size requirements, as determined by 'baggage police' at the departure gate. The fee will be charged at the gate prior to boarding.

Traveler Reaction to the Carry-On Bag Fee

Reaction from travelers is mixed, as the introduction of checked baggage fees over the previous couple of years, has resulted in passengers boarding flights with excess baggage, holding up the boarding process, and making the race for overhead cabin space all the more frantic.

To eliminate these irritations, Sprit Airlines will pre-board passengers who have pre-paid the carry-on bag fees, giving them first access to the overhead luggage bins. Payment information will be printed on boarding passes, making policing of the process simple.

How to get a Discount of the Carry-On Bag Fee

But the news isn't all bad. The $45 carry-on bag fee only applies at the gate. If you pre-pay, and don't delay boarding at the gate, the carry-on bag fee is reduced to $30.

Spirit Airlines also charges for checked bags, fuel, booking fees, seat reservations and onboard refreshments. Of course, all of these fees and charges, can be reduced further. How? Pay another fee. Join the Spirit $9 Fare club for $39.95 a year, and receive a swathe of discounts on Spirit Airlines' fees and charges. The overhead cabin reservation fee falls to $20 for Spirit Airlines $9 Fare Club members.

Decoupling of fares and fees seems to be a growing trend within the airline industry that makes it difficult for travelers to assess the true cost of a flight. None of the major airlines have, as yet, followed suit, but you can bet your last dollar, that they are watching closely, for any fallout that Sprit Airlines may suffer as a consequence.

What's next you have to ask? Charging for toilets it would appear.

Airline to Charge for Toilet Use

It seems since last year's announcement that Japan Airlines was requesting passengers "relieve themselves" prior to boarding to minimize the fuel burn rate on take-off, airlines have been falling over themselves to come up with new ways to recover or reduce costs.

Irish carrier, Ryanair, recently announced its intention to proceed with its plan to charge for lavatory use on its flights. Not only would this encourage passengers to lighten their bladder's (and wallet's) burden prior to take-off, reducing fuel burn, but it would also allow for the addition of 6 extra seats in a plane's configuration, by removing two of the rest rooms.

Just one question remains though? Is toilet paper included in the charge of about US$1.50? Or should passengers BYO.