Vacationers today have many more options than in the past. Travelling in caribbean specially is not an issue anymore thanks to the spirit airline. This ultra low cost operating airline is first of its kind amongst the us airlines. Basically it is offering scheduled flights throughout US. However the hub is based in Florida.
Beginning as charter one in 1980, even then it was offering chartered travel packages to entertainment destinations.
Today the spirit airways include flights to destinations including Central american, caribbean, south america as well as the us. Although there have been a number of airlines for leisure packages, but still there was an obvious dearth in this arena, that has been fulfilled by the spirt airlines. At present there are around 39 destinations the airline flies to.
The advancing popularity of the spirt airlines has made it essential that a number of other destinations are also included in the general routes of the sprit airlines. A new route will be included to Spain in the second half of 2008.
Since the spirit airlines have been coming up with extremely economical offers, it is a part of many travel agencies,, all promoting to fly with the spirt air. It is only due to this reason that the sprit air has been constantly working towards providing a better travelling experience.
Many people continue to fly with the spiritair only because of the degree of comfort they share with the airline. Since the airfare is minimum however, the airline charges for all the food and drinks bought on board. The charges on excess baggage are again minimal though.
At present, the fleet of the spiritair consist of about 35 aircraft with the majority being Airbus A319-100. In 2006, the airline retired all of its aircraft that was non-airbus, As a result with a total airbus fleet, the spirit airline has the youngest fleet of any airline.
Like other ultra low cost airlines, the spirt air also goes with a frequent flyer program going by the name of free spirit. The program even offers 5 status levels to all its members for better classification and more systematic distribution of perks. However, unlike other airlines programs, the sprit air did not initiate this as a loyalty program. It is only meant to be a rewards based profit plan.
Unfortunately for the spirit airways, it has been engaged in a number of flop advertisement moves, including the find the Hoffa deal, which was immediately replaced by a happy sale offer. The spirt airlines have also been associated with other controversial issues like the ‘enjoy threesome-three sales in 1 ticket’ and ‘many islands, low fare’ episodes.
Despite this, the sprit airlines have continued to be the number one airline in the recreational arena. Just recently , there has been a logo renewal plan, with colors of caribbean splashing against a white background on all of the spirt airlines. The headquarters are based in miami metropolitan area which makes it comfortable for everyone to get on the plane.
The spirit airways took its inspiration from the low-cost based airlines ryanair and air asia. The new branding has also had an immediate effect on the sales. This is also a reason why a larger number of vacation travel agencies are supporting the spiritair slogan with their promotions. The less flying cost makes it possible to assemble large travel deals, saving more in the end, and managing traveling in budget.
Since the spirt air realized the potential of this market right in the beginning, other airlines that came in later have not been able to compete with it. A right step taken at the right time has resulted in a booming business.
