One of the world's most popular airlines is taking steps towards a more luxurious experience.
Spirit Airlines announced that it will offer a new class called “Go Big,” which will include extra-wide seats located at the front of the plane. It seems to be the take of budget airlines for “business class” seats.
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Other perks of the new seats will include complimentary food and beverages, one carry-on bag, one checked bag, priority boarding, priority check-in and access to in-flight streaming services.
The seats will also include extra cushion and legroom without including a middle seat.
“We're ushering in a new era in Spirit's history and taking low-fare travel to new heights with enhanced options unlike anything we've offered before,” said Ted Christie, Spirit President and CEO. . a company announcement. “We listened to our guests and are excited to deliver what they want: choices for a superior experience that are affordable and offer unparalleled value.”
Spirit has historically been known for its below-average ticket prices, but it's also known for adding fees for extra perks and services, including carry-on bags and meals for some ticket holders depending on their price tier. .
The new seats will be available for booking on August 16 for flights departing August 27 and later.
Spirit did not specify what the exact price would be for the new seats.
At the beginning of this year, a proposed union with JetBlue failed after the $3.8 billion deal was blocked by the US Department of Justice, which claimed the merger would monopolize competition in the aviation industry.
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“Today, almost all of the profits of the entire US airline industry are concentrated in just two companies, while smaller non-legacy companies have tried to restore profitability in what increasingly looks like a rigged game,” Christie told investors about the failed deal during a Q1 2024 earnings call in May. “American consumers are the long-term losers.”
The airline had a tough first quarter, reporting an adjusted net loss of $160 million and roughly $1.3 billion in revenue, which was down 6.2% from the same time last year, something the airline attributed to unfavorable weather on the East Coast and “air Delays related to traffic control.”
Spirit Airlines was down up 83.55% year-to-date as of Wednesday afternoon.