Spirit Airlines has unveiled a series of premium offerings aimed at attracting higher-spending travelers, marking a significant shift in its business strategy. The airline announced Tuesday that it will introduce extra-legroom seating and enhanced benefits for its loyalty program members, with installations beginning in June and fleet-wide availability expected by July.
The new seating configuration will include over 40 seats across seven rows at the front of the aircraft. These seats will offer 32 inches of legroom—an increase from the standard 28 inches—along with a bundle of additional benefits such as a complimentary carry-on bag, no change or cancelation fees, reserved overhead bin space, Priority Boarding, a snack, and a nonalcoholic beverage. The new offering replaces the company’s previous “Go Comfy” option, which featured a blocked middle seat for select passengers.
In addition to the new seats, Spirit will introduce a two-free-checked-bags policy for travelers who hold its co-branded credit card with Bank of America. That perk is scheduled to become available later in 2025.
The rollout is a key part of Spirit’s strategy to appeal to affluent leisure travelers and recover from recent financial challenges. The company exited bankruptcy in March following years of operating losses and failed merger attempts. By shifting focus toward value-added services, Spirit aims to remain competitive in a changing market where other major carriers are also enhancing premium offerings. United Airlines and American Airlines recently announced upgrades to their business-class cabins, while Southwest Airlines ended its longtime “two bags fly free” policy.
Rana Ghosh, Spirit’s senior vice president and chief commercial officer, said the airline is focused on delivering more value to its loyal customers at a time when others are scaling back benefits. The move underscores Spirit’s broader pivot from ultra-low-cost basics to more flexible, comfort-oriented options as it works to strengthen its financial footing and improve its position within the industry.
