Spirit Airlines Unveils Next Major Guest Experience Enhancements: New Extra-Legroom Seating Option and Revamped Free Spirit® Loyalty Program

Rhea-AI Summary

Spirit Airlines (FLYY) announced major enhancements to its customer experience with two key initiatives. First, the airline is introducing a new Go Comfy extra-legroom seating option offering 32 inches of pitch (4 inches more than standard) in seven rows near the front of aircraft, available for booking from May 15, 2025. The rollout will begin in June 2025 across the fleet. Second, Spirit unveiled an upgraded Free Spirit loyalty program with expanded benefits including point redemptions for all travel options, complimentary upgrades for status members, and two free checked bags for Travel More Mastercard holders. Additional perks include a new Free Spirit Debit Card launching Fall 2025. The airline was recently named Best Airline Overall for 2025 by WalletHub and received a Four Star Low Cost Carrier rating from APEX.

Positive

• Introduction of premium Go Comfy seating with 4 additional inches of legroom
• Expanded loyalty program benefits including complimentary upgrades and new redemption options
• New two free checked bags benefit for Travel More Mastercard holders
• Launch of Free Spirit Debit Card program for earning points on everyday spending
• Recent recognition as Best Airline Overall for 2025 by WalletHub

Negative

• Phasing out of blocked middle seat option in Go Comfy class
• Complete fleet rollout of extra-legroom seating won't be finished until 2026

Insights

Airline Industry Analyst

Spirit's new premium seating and enhanced loyalty program represent a strategic shift toward higher-margin revenue opportunities while maintaining its low-cost model.

Spirit Airlines is executing a notable strategic pivot by introducing premium elements to its traditionally ultra-low-cost business model. The new Go Comfy extra-legroom seating option (increasing pitch to 32 inches) represents a direct play for higher-yield passengers who want more comfort but still seek value pricing. This is a significant operational investment with fleet modifications beginning in June 2025 and completing by 2026.

What's particularly shrewd is how Spirit is addressing the industry-wide challenge of monetizing loyalty in the budget airline segment. The expanded Free Spirit program now offers redemption across all fare types and introduces status-based complimentary upgrades – features typically reserved for legacy carriers. The addition of a two free checked bags benefit for credit cardholders creates a compelling co-branded card value proposition, likely generating substantial ancillary revenue through the Bank of America partnership.

By phasing out blocked middle seats in favor of extra-legroom options, Spirit is optimizing aircraft revenue potential while creating premium inventory that can be both sold directly and used for loyalty redemptions and upgrades. This creates multiple monetization paths: direct premium seat sales, increased credit card acquisition and spending, and enhanced loyalty member retention.

These moves signal Spirit's recognition that competing solely on base fare is increasingly challenging, especially as legacy carriers have become more aggressive with their basic economy offerings. Spirit is strategically creating premium differentiation while maintaining its core low-cost structure – a sophisticated response to evolving market dynamics in the ultra-low-cost carrier segment.

Spirit's reimagined Go Comfy travel option will be available to book beginning May 15

Free Spirit expands rewards and benefits starting today

DANIA BEACH, Fla., May 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Spirit Airlines (NYSE American: FLYY) today announced it is expanding onboard comfort and boosting the benefits of its Free Spirit loyalty program as part of the airline's latest initiative to elevate the Guest experience. The new advancements are significant milestones for the carrier, introducing a brand-new, extra-legroom seating option and exclusive new loyalty perks never offered before, including expanded redemption options, seat upgrades, two free checked bags benefit and more.

"Spirit's new premium options offer travelers exceptional value, and we're creating even more opportunities for Guests to experience them with our new extra-legroom seating option," said Rana Ghosh, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Spirit Airlines. "We're also adding more value and perks for our loyalty members at a time when others are taking away benefits, giving our most loyal Guests even more reasons to choose Spirit."

Go Comfy Reimagined with the Addition of New Extra-Legroom Seating
Guests who prioritize comfort and an elevated experience will soon have the opportunity to stretch across four additional inches of legroom in Go Comfy with a new total pitch of 32 inches. The new preferred seating will include seven rows near the front of the aircraft and more than 40 seats. The extra-legroom seating will be installed beginning June 2025 and roll out across the majority of the fleet by July 2025. The remaining installations are expected to be completed in 2026. As part of enhancing Go Comfy, Spirit plans to phase out the blocked middle seat to allow for the introduction of extra-legroom seating.

In addition to the extra space, Go Comfy includes a carry-on bag, no change or cancel fees, Priority Boarding, reserved overhead bin space, a snack and non-alcoholic beverage. The extra-legroom seats will be available for booking based on availability starting May 15, 2025, for travel beginning July 9, 2025.

Upgraded Free Spirit Loyalty Program
Spirit is revamping its Free Spirit loyalty program, including upgraded benefits for Free Spirit Status members and Free Spirit^® Travel More Mastercard^® cardholders. Free Spirit is free to join and the fastest way to earn rewards and status.

• Expanded Redemption Options: Guests can now redeem all four travel options*, including premium options like Go Big and Go Comfy using Free Spirit points, excluding taxes and fees. Spirit plans to add even more exciting redemptions in the coming months, including personalized experiences and elevated perks that cater to every type of traveler.
• Complimentary Upgrades: Free Spirit Status members and Free Spirit credit card holders will enjoy complimentary upgrades to a Big Front Seat and Comfy Seat at boarding, based on availability and status level, with benefits extending to one Guest on the member's reservation beginning in June.
• New Two Free Checked Bags Benefit for Free Spirit Travel More Mastercard Cardholders: Beginning later in 2025, Spirit and Bank of America will roll-out two free checked bags as an exciting new benefit for Free Spirit Travel More Mastercard Cardholders, with more details to be announced.
• Earn on Everyday Purchases with the New Free Spirit Debit Card: The new Free Spirit Debit Card, scheduled to launch this Fall, will allow anyone to earn Free Spirit points on their everyday spending and redeem those points for travel on Spirit while receiving Group 2 Priority Boarding and a 25 percent rebate on inflight purchases.

Guests who earn Free Spirit Gold and Silver Status will continue to enjoy all existing benefits including Shortcut Security, seat selection, and more with no increase in the requirements to earn status for the 2025 program year. Guests with Gold Status will also continue to enjoy free bags, Wi-Fi (subject to availability), complimentary snacks and drinks, including alcohol and more on eligible flights.

To get a full overview of the revamped Free Spirit program and benefits of Free Spirit Status or to sign up for free, visit: spirit.com/free-spirit.

Recognition
Spirit was recently named Best Airline Overall for 2025 and earned top recognition for safety and affordability for the second consecutive year by WalletHub. The carrier was also recognized by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) as a 2025 Four Star Low Cost Carrier. Additionally, the airline's Fit Fleet^® was ranked one of the world's youngest for 2025 by ch-aviation. Spirit also received the FAA's Aviation Maintenance Technician Diamond Award of Excellence for the seventh consecutive year.

*Members will be responsible for the payment of any taxes, fees and other government or airport-imposed charges associated with Reward Tickets.

About Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines (NYSE American: FLYY) is committed to safely delivering the best value in the sky by offering an enhanced travel experience with flexible, affordable options. Spirit serves destinations throughout the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean with its all-Airbus Fit Fleet^®, one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the U.S. Discover elevated travel options with exceptional value at spirit.com.

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SOURCE Spirit Airlines

FAQ

What are the new features of Spirit Airlines' (FLYY) Go Comfy seating option?

Spirit's new Go Comfy seating offers 32 inches of pitch (4 extra inches of legroom), plus carry-on bag, no change fees, Priority Boarding, reserved overhead bin space, and complimentary snack and non-alcoholic beverage.

When will Spirit Airlines' (FLYY) new extra-legroom seats be available for booking?

The extra-legroom seats will be available for booking starting May 15, 2025, for travel beginning July 9, 2025.

What new benefits does Spirit Airlines' revamped Free Spirit loyalty program offer?

The program now includes expanded redemption options, complimentary upgrades for status members, two free checked bags for Travel More Mastercard holders, and a new Free Spirit Debit Card program.

How many extra-legroom seats will be available on Spirit Airlines flights?

Spirit will offer seven rows of extra-legroom seating near the front of the aircraft, with more than 40 seats in total.

What recent awards has Spirit Airlines (FLYY) received in 2025?

Spirit was named Best Airline Overall for 2025 by WalletHub, received APEX's Four Star Low Cost Carrier rating, and earned the FAA's Aviation Maintenance Technician Diamond Award.