Spirit, Frontier... How bad are they??

klwdisney · Sep 24, 2018

I had a brilliant plan to bring my boyfriend's 10 year old son to Disney for a weekend after Halloween. His parents thought it was a great idea. He is over the moon! We love WDW but no one else wants to go as often as we do. He has a day off from school on 11/6. We could make a long weekend out of it and he'd only miss 1 day. The weather at WDW is perfect, it's not snowing here in MA so it's perfect for us to travel by ourselves. Here's the problem... the airfare is VERY HIGH! ugh.

So here's my question... I know they are no frills, but how bad are Spirit and Frontier? I'm trying to find a way for us to go for a weekend and have it not break the bank. At the moment, I'm not sure that's possible. We'd only have Carry Ons.

Buckeye Jones · Sep 24, 2018

We’ve flown Frontier multiple times, and we’ve never had anything but a wonderful experience. We’ve flown Spirit once, and that was enough. The whole experience was a disaster from start to finish. Their check in at MCO is chaos, and there was a problem with our plane. I was so thankful when we finally touched down.

We are flying Frontier again in a couple of weeks.

Pipeline · Sep 24, 2018

klwdisney said:
I had a brilliant plan to bring my boyfriend's 10 year old son to Disney for a weekend after Halloween. His parents thought it was a great idea. He is over the moon! We love WDW but no one else wants to go as often as we do. He has a day off from school on 11/6. We could make a long weekend out of it and he'd only miss 1 day. The weather at WDW is perfect, it's not snowing here in MA so it's perfect for us to travel by ourselves. Here's the problem... the airfare is VERY HIGH! ugh.

So here's my question... I know they are no frills, but how bad are Spirit and Frontier? I'm trying to find a way for us to go for a weekend and have it not break the bank. At the moment, I'm not sure that's possible. We'd only have Carry Ons.

We have used Frontier a number of times and never had a problem. Just be sure to get checked in with plenty of time to spare...I think they require 90 mins. As for Spirit....I know plenty of folks who will never fly with them again. Hope this helps. Have fun!!

DisBud · Sep 24, 2018

We have flown Spirit twice. We had no problems at all, as long as you are aware of all of the fees if you want add ons. We flew with only personal items, so we didn't pay anything additional. We did get lucky and when I checked in online our seats were together, though I had not paid for that. It seems a lot of problems are trying to make connections. Ours were direct flights, we would fly them again.

ENJDisneyFan · Sep 24, 2018

I've flown Spirit many times and never had an issue. I've only flown Frontier once, but again no issues. As others have said, the service is pretty basic and there are extra charges to consider...but if the price is right I wouldn't hesitate to fly with either.

Darcy03231 · Sep 24, 2018

If you leave on Friday night there's a SW flight out of Logan for $150. There are multiple flights leaving MCO on 11/6 for $120.

skseif514 · Sep 24, 2018

I've flown Spirit many times, and never had an issue. Check on the bag prices though, because for some of my flights to MCO, they charged more to carry-on than to check a bag.

klwdisney · Sep 24, 2018

I'd like to leave Friday night but I can't leave work earlier than 5 so we'd be looking at a 7:30pm-ish flight or if we found something better early Saturday morning and flew out of Providence I know of a Park & Fly hotel. Coming home I'd like to be home early-ish in the day on Tuesday since we both would have school/work on Wednesday morning. I might be able to get rides so I can fly out of/into 2 different airports. But the prices are like $250 each way! It's crazy!

I'll go back and look at Southwest again. Thanks Darcy03231!

New question: I'm flying with a child. Would I not be able to get seats together on Spirit or Frontier?

klwdisney · Sep 24, 2018

I only see 1 flight on Friday night 11/2. It's got 1 stop. and it's like $500.

Darcy03231 · Sep 24, 2018

klwdisney said:
I only see 1 flight on Friday night 11/2. It's got 1 stop. and it's like $500.

The one I was looking at leaves at 5:20 pm.

Delta has $288/pp round trip. Leaves on 11/2 at 8:20 pm non-stop and returns on 11/6 getting into BOS at 3:00 pm (leaves MCO at 11:55). If you wanted something earlier you could do Delta on the way down and SW on the way back.

AndreaDM · Sep 24, 2018

I have flown Frontier many times with no issues other than one delay coming back from Mexico. Just flew Spirit for the first time for our trip last weekend, CAK-MCO, no issues at all. Purchased the tickets from our local airport a few months ago to save the $20 passenger fee per person, and checked in online both ways, not a problem at all. For a Friday eve - Monday trip, a back pack was all either of us needed so no luggage fees.

klwdisney · Sep 24, 2018

Darcy03231 said:
The one I was looking at leaves at 5:20 pm.

Delta has $288/pp round trip. Leaves on 11/2 at 8:20 pm non-stop and returns on 11/6 getting into BOS at 3:00 pm (leaves MCO at 11:55). If you wanted something earlier you could do Delta on the way down and SW on the way back.

You are a lifesaver! I've never taken Logan Express and am not really sure how it works. If I had an 8:20 flight... what time would I need to GET TO the Logan Express in Framingham? The idea of driving into Logan myself is terrifying the older I get. lol TF Green I can handle. Worcester I'd LOVE. Or there's always Knights Airport Van too...

Darcy03231 · Sep 24, 2018

I like to get in at least 2 hours before my flight. In looking at the website it says the trip takes 30-45 min. I'd do the 5:30 pm bus. If you're not checking luggage you could probably get away with the 6 pm bus, but that would be cutting it too close for me. It all depends on your comfort level.

klwdisney · Sep 24, 2018

I'm starting to think the Universe is against me. I cannot find a way to make this work. On top of this I'm not finding availability for hotels. Trying not to cry...

klwdisney · Sep 24, 2018

Ok NEW Question. Has anyone flown Delta? I haven't in many many many years. I just found a friend willing to drive us to & from the airport. A flight to and from at good times. And a decent price. But now I see it's not assigned seating?! How do I do this with a 10 year old??

Darcy03231 · Sep 24, 2018

I fly Delta frequently. In fact, we're on that Friday night 11/2 flight, which is why I knew reasonable fares were to be had. We've never had any issues with them.

You have to book Main Cabin to be able to select your own seats. If you absolutely have to sit together, that's what I would book. Basic economy (which gives you a great rate) won't let you pick seats. They're assigned when you check in. You also board the plane in the last boarding group, so the overhead bins may be full and you might have to gate check your carry-on luggage. Our children have been flying since they were small and I wouldn't hesitate to let them sit by themselves on a plane, but that's me. Everyone's comfort level is different.

klwdisney · Sep 24, 2018

I'm officially out of options. Sitting at my desk with tears rolling down my cheeks. I REALLY needed this. And I just can't make it work. EVERYTHING is booked. Or the price is high. Even the Disney Springs resorts will run me over $700 for a long weekend. Tickets another $700+. Airfair $500+. I can't justify it for a weekend. I'm so sad and angry all at the same time. It shouldn't be this hard to plan a fun weekend at the place I consider "home" in my heart.

Darcy03231 · Sep 24, 2018

A long weekend at WDW is expensive. About the best I could come up with for you would be 3 day base tickets from Undercover Tourist at $620, off-site 3* hotel through hotwire in Lake Buena Vista is $275 and a compact car through Alamo is $181. That would bring your total to 1076 + parking and airfare.

klwdisney · Sep 24, 2018

Still brings me to around $2000. ugh. Even Downtown Disney resorts are around $700 total. But then there's Mears (i'd rather not drive). I am so frustrated. Do they not see how they're pricing out their customers? Especially long time repeat customers? I don't want to give this up, but I think I have to.

Shanti · Sep 24, 2018

I flew Frontier once round trip, and we had a 3-hour delay on the outbound flight that was apparently caused by an issue with a pilot. Never flew them again and have never missed them.

Spirit, Frontier... How bad are they??

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