How do I get free seat selection on Spirit?

As an ultra low-cost carrier, the rule of thumb on Spirit is that seat selection isn't free, and customers can expect to pay for seats on each leg of their trip. The only travelers who don't have to pay a seat selection fee are Free Spirit elite status members, who get free seat selection as one of the program's perks.



Getting a specific seat for free on Spirit Airlines is technically not possible through their standard booking flow, as the airline operates on an unbundled "à la carte" model where seat assignments carry a fee ranging from $5 to $50 or more. However, there is a strategic way to get a seat assignment for $0: do not select a seat during the booking process or check-in. If you leave your seat selection to chance, Spirit's automated system will randomly assign you a seat for free when you check in, usually starting 24 hours before departure. While this often results in a middle seat, if the flight is relatively empty, you might end up in a window or aisle. Another "free" method is through elite status; members of the Free Spirit Gold loyalty tier receive free seat selection (excluding the Big Front Seat) at the time of booking. For families, while not a "selection" per se, Spirit has committed to seating children age 13 and under with at least one accompanying adult for no additional cost, provided there is adjacent availability at the time of check-in. Aside from these specific scenarios, the only way to "select" a seat without a direct fee is to wait for the system to do it for you.

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Skipping seat selection doesn't mean you won't get a seat on the flight. You might get stuck in the middle seat if you don't pay for one. Even if seat selection is free, you might want to skip it if only lousy seats are available (see the upgrade hack” below).

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Family Seating: If Guests with children aged 13 and under do not opt to pre-select seats at the time of booking, our gate agents and Flight Attendants will work to provide adjacent seats when possible. For more information on seating, please click here.

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Big Front Seats With eight or ten such seats available on each flight — depending on the aircraft — Big Front Seat passengers get up to 32% more legroom when compared to standard seats. There's also no middle seat, as all Big Front Seats are either window or aisle seats.

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Free seat selection is only permitted after check-in has opened. Check out our guide on how to book airline seats here and be clued up and ready for when check-in opens.

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After you finish booking your flight (or during the process, depending on the airline), you should click to view the seat map and make your pick. If you book your flight with friends or family members on the same reservation, they will likely be assigned seats nearby automatically.

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Seat assignments, no matter the fare class you purchased, aren't guaranteed and could change without notice because of schedule changes, equipment swaps or other unforeseen circumstances.

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Spirit allows passengers one free personal item, such as a purse, laptop bag, or small backpack. Your personal item must be small enough to store under the seat in front of you.

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One personal item that fits entirely in the smaller sizer box (like a purse, small backpack, etc.) is included with your ticket. Another personal item or anything larger like a standard carry-on or checked bag will need to be paid for.

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A backpack can be your carry on if it meets your airline's carry on size limits. A personal item is a smaller, secondary bag, which you'll stow under the seat in front of you. Read Carry Ons vs. Personal Items for more on the differences between the two.

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What is Considered a Personal Item on Spirit Airlines. Your luggage can be any shape as long as it fits inside those strict dimensions. That goes for purses, backpacks, duffel bags, laptop cases, tote bags and, of course, the Bento Bag.

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Our BIG FRONT SEATs are larger seats, for those who prefer more space, in the front of the plane. With a 36 pitch and 18.5 width - a full 6 of additional legroom compared to our standard Deluxe Leather seats - you'll be flying in comfort when you choose our BIG FRONT SEAT.

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These seats located at the front of the plane are larger and more comfortable than economy class seats. They boast a 36-inch pitch (plus curved seatbacks to offer more room for your knees) and an 18.5-inch width, which means you can enjoy 6 more inches of legroom than a standard seat.

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If you want a window seat, then suppose you choose from left to right (looking toward plane's nose): kid, kid, parent (aisle), parent (aisle). if in the middle then it's parent, kiddo, kiddo, parent. Mirror image it if you want the other side of the plane.

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