Jaunted

Spirit Airlines / Ryanair / LCCs / Airline News / Travel Ads / Travel Advertising / Airlines / → All Tags

Spirit Air's Newest Tactless Ad Makes Fun of Schwarzenegger-Shriver Family

We used to joke that Spirit Airlines had set its eyes on becoming the Ryanair of the United States. They have the single worst baggage fee policy in the country, they flirt with innovations like non-recline seats, their top officials enjoy acting like jerks, etc.

Then that turned out not to be a joke at all, which we found out when Spirit CEO Ben Baldanza proudly declared that Ryanair "has been an inspiration" to the American LCC. So we were unsurprised when Spirit rolled out ads based on Charlie Sheen's meltdown and even on the Gulf Oil spill. And we're now equally unsurprised to learn that the airline has gone ahead and made a joke of the Schwarzenegger-Shriver ugliness.

more ›

New Routes / Airlines / Airline News / South African Airways / JetBlue / Spirit Airlines / American Airlines / Volaris / → All Tags

The New Routes Don't Stop Thanks to American Airlines, JetBlue, and Volaris

Sometimes it’s hard to stay on top of all the new route announcements that come our way, so we’ve complied a little bit of a rundown below. As long as you can afford the fares, this should definitely help add to your passport stamp collection.

· American Airlines:
Finland, Finland, Finland that’s the country for me! Well at least that’s what American Airlines is singing, as they just started up nonstop service to Helsinki over the weekend. It’s a seasonal thing, so be sure to get all your Scandinavian stuff done before the end of October. The new flights depart from Chicago en route to Helsinki with a little help from Boeing 767-300s. This is the first time American is bringing their planes to Finland, so hopefully things will catch on and the flight will become a permanent option.

· JetBlue:
Alright we knew JetBlue would be jetting back and forth between Boston and beautiful Newark, New Jersey, but this week things became official. The airline that loves in-flight television and plenty of free up-in-the-air snacks started four daily flights between the two cities on May 4. There’s a couple morning flights and a couple afternoon flights, so you should be able to find something that fits your schedule. Expect Embraer 190s on this route, which are a little smaller but just as comfy. We actually just flew this route yesterday, so it's totally open for booking and going.

more ›

Baggage Fees / Checked Baggage Fees / Carry-on Baggage Fees / Spirit Airlines / LCCs / Airline News / Airlines / → All Tags

Spirit Airlines Raises Baggage Fees Again, Screws Over Passengers

What does a little last-minute packing mean to you? Maybe a forgotten toothbrush, or that you have to call a cab versus taking public transportation to the airport. For Spirit Airlines, your last-minute packing means dollar signs in their eyes, because they've just upped their baggage fees.

According to CNN, Spirit will now charge extra for those who wait to pay for their checked or carry-on luggage until within 24 hours of departure. If your within 24 hours of your flight and you go online to Spirit's website to pay, it'll be an extra $5. If you freak out and call Spirit on the phone to pay, it's an extra $10. Here's the complete chart of what's owed when, if you're flying Spirit with anything more than a little purse:

more ›

New Routes / Airlines / Airline News / Condor / Continental / United / KLM / Aeromexico / Spirit Airlines / → All Tags

Europe is This Week's Big Winner When It Comes to New Routes

Sometimes it’s hard to stay on top of all the new route announcements that come our way, so we’ve complied a little bit of a rundown below. As long as you can afford the fares, this should definitely help add to your passport stamp collection.

· Continental(...and United):
The combined force that is the new United is bringing us their fifth nonstop option into Germany. United and Continental—although for now it’s technically Continental—are teaming up to launch nonstop service between Newark and Stuttgart. We’re thinking tickets should be on sale soon—if not already—as the new flights start up on June 9. Just beware that the flights will be operated by Boeing 757s, which means only one aisle of airplane space to stretch your legs during the overnight flight! The new flights will run back and forth seven days a week.

· Spirit Airlines:
You know how we feel about Spirit Airlines, but we still have to let you know what they’re up to. After all, even with all the fees slapped onto some of their tickets, they still can be a great deal. So the new option is between Chicago-O’Hare and Atlantic City. Sure, it’s not exactly Las Vegas, but when you need some gambling and a dose of Jersey—it’ll do. The flights run five days a week right now, but after April 1 things run every day.

more ›

Airfare Sales / Spirit Airlines / Charlie Sheen / Travel Ads / Stupid Ideas / → All Tags

You Can't Be Serious with This Charlie Sheen Stuff, Spirit Airlines

Well here's a surprise! Spirit Air is having one of their "sales," and they've borrowed a few of Charlie Sheen's recent catchphrases to boost the sale's meme cache. That's right—"Tiger Blood,""Adonis DNA" and "Winning" all appear in a flash ad on Spirit's website, advertising fares as low as $27*

It's the "Living the Dream" sale, and we're starting the countdown egg timer until Sheen has his people drafting the papers to sue Spirit's people. Sure, the catchphrases Charlie has been slinging on Twitter are now copied over and over for a variety of uses, but this one seems particularly egregious. Exploiting a celeb's mental health in order to convince budget-seekers to hope onboard your flights? Not cool—especially considering this isn't a real sale.

The $27 price is each way, based on roundtrip purchase, and does not include taxes, fees and the mandatory checked and carry-on baggage fees levied by Spirit. Remember they are currently the only US airline to charge for both types of luggage! Sheen only travels by private jet lately, so at he's smart enough to avoid Spirit.

[Photo: screenshot from Spirit Air website]

New Routes / Airlines / Airline News / Vision Airlines / Delta / Qantas / Spirit Airlines / Continental / → All Tags

Qantas, Delta, and Vision Airlines Have Just Some of This Week's New Routes

Sometimes it’s hard to stay on top of all the new route announcements that come our way, so we’ve complied a little bit of a rundown below. As long as you can afford the fares, this should definitely help add to your passport stamp collection.

· Qantas:
We’re not sure if it has anything to do with Oprah, but Qantas is adding a new city to its route network. The kangaroo carrier will start service from Sydney to Dallas/Ft. Worth beginning on May 16. Qantas will send Boeing 747s back and forth four times a week, but eventually things might be upgraded to daily service. The only downer is that San Francisco is losing its Sydney route on Qantas to make room for the new Texas connection.

· Continental:
The country still might have a lot of work ahead of it after last year’s earthquake, but Continental is betting that there’s plenty of interest in visiting Haiti in 2011. The airline is planning to startup some nonstop service between Newark and Port-Au-Prince, starting June 9. To begin, flights will just run on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, but as of July 1 flights will become a daily option. Everything is still pending government approval, but we’re thinking it’s a safe bet if they’re already announcing it.

more ›

The Jauntys / Travel Awards 2010 / Jaunted Awards 2010 / Carry-on Baggage Fees / Spirit Airlines / → All Tags

The Most Ridiculous Airline Idea Of 2010 Is...

It's that time of the year again, the time when the year just plain ends. Alas, we can't just let 2010 go that easily, especially since travelers spent it both up in the air and up in arms over a crazy range of topics, encompassing everything from nudie scans to tarmac delays. Needless to say, we're ready for 2011, but first we're taking a brief look back at the best of 2010 with the Jaunted Travel Awards,—or as we fondly refer to them—The Jauntys.

First, let's be honest. We really, really wanted to name the "pay-to-pee" and standing passenger concepts from Ryanair's Micheal O'Leary as 2010's worst idea, but there's just one problem...all that happened in 2009. Regardless, there were plenty more bad ideas that happened this year, and the winner for 2010's stupid airline idea is Spirit Airlines' carry-on fees.

more ›

Airline Hell / Spirit Airlines / LGA / Holiday Travel / Baggage / Luggage / LCCs / → All Tags

A Cautionary Tale for Anyone Flying Spirit Airlines This Holiday Season

Buckle up—we are officially in the swing of the holiday travel high time. If you're traveling at all this week, it's time to be extra-early, extra-vigilant about your belongings, and extra hydrated (just in case). If you're booked on the lowest of all low-cost carriers, Spirit Airlines, however, all your preparation could be for naught, as they royally screwed over a family and many others this week when they simply couldn't handle the influx of travelers.

An irate would-be Spirit flyer sent Gothamist the story, and we've hardly heard a better argument for why not to fly Spirit:

more ›

New Routes / Airlines / Airline News / Delta / Emirates / Virgin America / Spirit Airlines / Japan Airlines / → All Tags

New Routes from Spirit, Emirates and Delta, Plus Rumors fom Virgin America

Sometimes it’s hard to stay on top of all the new route announcements that come our way, so we’ve complied a little bit of a rundown below. As long as you can afford the fares, this should definitely help add to your passport stamp collection.

· Delta:
We heard that Delta was looking to expand their options into London’s Heathrow airport, and it looks like the airline has now gotten the necessary signatures from both the US and UK. Delta will start up brand new daily flights from both Boston and Miami to London beginning on March 27 of next year. They haven’t announced specifics regarding the flight schedules, but the plans should be released in the next week or so. We’re not expecting a crazy sale to correspond with the announcement, but another way to cross the pond is always welcome.

· Japan Airlines:
Despite battling against that pesky bankruptcy stuff, Japan Airlines is moving forward. The airline just started new flights to and from Tokyo’s more convenient airport—Haneda—and San Francisco at the end of last month. Things might be a little slow, as they’re offering up a discount for those looking to sit up front. JAL is offering 15,000 mile upgrades—a 10,000 miles savings—for those looking for a little more legroom. You’ll have to fly before the end of the year and buy a certain class of ticket, so check out the full rules here.

more ›

New Routes / Airlines / Airline News / SAS / JetBlue / Sothwest Airlines / KLM / Spirit Airlines / → All Tags

JetBlue Heads North to Alaska, Southwest Goes South to Mexico, and More New Routes This Week

Sometimes it’s hard to stay on top of all the new route announcements that come our way, so we’ve complied a little bit of a rundown below. As long as you can afford the fares, this should definitely help add to your passport stamp collection.

· JetBlue:
Even though in-flight WiFi arrived in Alaska this week, there’s another airline that’s bringing even better entertainment to Anchorage. JetBlue announced their 65th destination this week with seasonal flights to and from Anchorage and Long Beach, California, beginning on May 26 of next year. Flights start at just $119 each way—not too bad—and are available for booking today. Just remember your camera, as JetBlue is asking for pictures in case you can see Russia from your hotel room!

· SAS:
There are a few new options in and out of Norway and Denmark this week, as SAS looks to expand their offerings around the globe. First, the airline of Scandinavia will start Oslo to New York service beginning in March of 2011. They’ll also start up service direct between Copenhagen and Shanghai sometime over the winter. New York’s new route will be a daily option aboard Airbus A330-300 planes, and the route to the east will utilize Airbus A340-300 aircraft five times per week. Not settling with just international routes, there’s also new options within Europe as well, like Oslo to Munich and Stockholm to Venice.

more ›

Carry-on Baggage Fees / Baggage Fees / Airline Fees / Spirit Airlines / LCCs / Bad Ideas / → All Tags

Spirit Airlines' Controversial Carry-on Bag Fees Officially in Effect

Yesterday you can bet that passengers flying Spirit Airlines faced longer lines to board and more confusion, as the low-cost carrier's $30 carry-on bag fee went into effect. The change was announced back in April, and the new fee applied to anyone booking a Spirit ticket from April on for flights August 1 and beyond.

Whether you like it or not, if you're flying Spirit Airlines you will encounter a fee at some point. Unless you can handle traveling with only one small purse that fits under the seat in front of you, but who does that? The airline's CEO thinks you can. The carry-on fees, which range from $20-$45, apply to anything you want to stow in the overhead bins, but remember that if you check it instead, you've got to pay for that privilege too. Here's the breakdown:

more ›

Spirit Airlines / Airlines / Airline News / Pilots / Airline Industry / → All Tags

Spirit Airlines Makes a Good Move by Giving Their Pilots More Money

It looks like we’ll be enjoying some more excellent marketing campaigns (*sarcasm) through 2015, as Spirit Airlines has signed its pilots up for a new five-year deal. You may remember that the cheap fares were grounded earlier this year as the people who know how to fly the planes walked off the job, but it looks like everyone has kissed and made up.

Union representatives indicate that the pilots got a substantial pay raise, and captains will be getting about 10 percent more cash in their paychecks. First officers are also expected to get a boost of 18 percent to their hourly wages, and the entire pilot group is now eligible for a signing bonus.

more ›