Spirit Airlines New Baggage Policy 2025: Fees, Sizes & Rules Explained

What is The New Baggage Policy for Spirit Airlines?

The baggage policy of Spirit Airlines is one of the strictest ones in the U.S. carriers due to its low-cost business model. The airline has a bare fare that comes with just one personal item (luggage) allowed without a cost- everything extra will come at an extra cost. The following is an in-depth description of the existing policy, the newest pricing model, size of allowances, stringency of the enforcement, and useful traveler-friendly tips.

The New Spirit Airlines Baggage Policy

Spirit Airlines lets each passenger carry one personal item at no charge, but it charges additional fees on carry-on and checked baggage. As per Spirit Airlines Baggage Policypersonal item should be able to be stored under the bench and should not have dimensions greater than 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm) that consider handles and wheels. These could be a purse, small backpack or a laptop bag.

Carry-On Bag Policy

  • Dimensions: A carry on bag must not exceed 22 x 18 x 10 inches (56 x 46 x 25 cm) in handles, wheels, or size.
  • Weight: Spirit has a total weight restriction of 40 lb (18 kg) on any one carry-on. Any bags beyond this should be put at gate on extra charges.

Checked Baggage Policy

  • Dimensions: The maximum size of a checked bag is 62 linear inches (length + width + height; 158 cm).
  • Weight: Checked luggage cannot weigh more than 50 pounds ( 22.6 kg), and there would be substantial fines applied to overweight and oversized baggage.

As per Spirit Airlines baggage rules, depending upon how excessive the excess is, oversized or overweight bags may be charged up to $79 to $150 on top of the base checked bag fee.

Military Passengers

The members of the active military are allowed to check two pieces of luggage (regular size and weight) along with one complimentary carry-on and a personal item.

How Much Does Spirit Charge For Carry-on Bags?

Spirit has a fee on all their carry-on luggage and the fee varies greatly depending on when and how you manage to buy your carry-on allowance:

  • During Booking: The cheapest fare of carry-on allowance is normally when you buy at the time of the first booking. In 2025, the typical cost is approximately $35-$41 per direction when purchased online at your booking or during check-in online, and again, there are minor changes in the fee rates depending on where you depart and where you arrive, along with peak traveling days.
  • At the Airport: The Spirit Airlines baggage fees for carry-on will cost more when you add at the check-in counter/kiosk, and the normal charge is approximately $45 to $50.
  • At the Gate: The maximum cost of a carry-on allowance will be at the boarding gate, as it is possible to reach the heights of the cost up to $65 or more, depending on the baggage..

When the carry-on goes beyond size or limit then extra fares are imposed and gate-based calculations are normally carried out.

Example Spirit Baggage Fees Chart

 When Purchased

 Typical Fee (USD)

During Booking

 $35–$41

Online Check-In

 $45

Airport Counter/Kiosk

 $45–$50

At the Gate

 $65

Note: These are the one way prices and are priced per bag not per reservation and/or round trip. The Spirit Airlines baggage fees international can be higher and there are chances that the fees can increase during the peak season.

How Strict is Spirit with carry-on size?

Spirit Airlines is quite rigid in terms of the baggage size restrictions. All personal and carry-on baggage have to fall under the size restrictions and agents at Spirit are often inspecting the size of the bags especially during boarding. Even a bag that is even slightly exceeding the limit by a few centimeters may be compelled to be inspected with a fee. This measurement is inclusive of all the handles and wheels.

  • For carry-on bags: As per Spirit Airlines baggage rules, the bag should be able to go through the 22 x 18 x 10 inch sizer at the airport and in case it fails, baggage checkers at the gate will make you pay a fee to check that bag in.
  • For personal items: Needs to fit under the seat, and between the 18 x 14 x 8 inch size.

When the size of your carry-on bag does not fit within the official size, even with slight differences, then chances are that you will have to pay to gate-check the bag. This applies whether over in width or length or height.

What is Spirit Airlines Military Baggage Policy?

According to Spirit Airlines Baggage Allowance, all active-duty and military officials who fly with Spirit should receive free check-in and carry-on luggage. Free provisions are: 

  • 1 personal item is already free
  • 1 free carry-on
  • 2 free baggage

The checked bag should have weight that is 40 lbs or 18 kg per person. The Spirit Airlines waiver on baggage fees discussed above would only apply to militaries and not to their dependents and family members.

Some Additional Spirit Baggage Policy Details & Tips

  • Weigh Your Bags: Exceeding Spirit’s weight limits is a common mistake and expensive. Pack a minute luggage scale to weigh your luggage back at home prior to travelling.
  • Optimize Your Personal Item: As per Spirit Airlines Baggage Allowance, you have a free allowance of a personal item. Soft flexible bags should be used to allow storage of more items. It will help in packing efficiency.
  • Measure Accurately: The measurements should always be done with the wheels and the handles in your bags. Always follow the dimensions that are mentioned by the airline while packing your bags.
  • Purchase in Advance: Buy baggage allowance when buying a ticket.
  • Consolidate Luggage: When a group of people travels, they are advised to carry everything in one big checked luggage to reduce the total payments.

Conclusion

The Spirit Airlines Baggage Policy is aimed at preserving its low cost pricing model, where customers can carry only a single free personal item and carrying on board luggage and checked luggage are levied. In order to prevent excess charges, passengers are advised to pay attention to size and weight limitations and possibly buy baggage quotas beforehand. Travel is more accommodating, as military personnel enjoy some extra allowances. Some of these tips, such as weighing and measuring of bags before leaving home, can assist passengers to follow the rules of Spirit much easier.

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