Spirit Reports 50 Percent Increase In Reservations Despite New Carry-on Policy

As previously mentioned, responses to budget-airline Spirit’s decision to begin charging for carry-on luggage has been far from positive, if downright hostile. However, an unforeseen rise in booking rates may have just proved critics wrong as a spokesperson for Spirit says more reservations have been made since the newly implemented fee than before.

First announced April 6^th, the fee has called for a 45 dollar payment should a passenger choose to store his or her bag in the overhead compartment. Met with general discontent, it even prompted attempted legislation by Charles E. Schumer, a New York Senator, to attempt a ban against fees on what have been considered travel ‘essentials’.

However, in what could easily be called a surprise turn, Spirit has recently reported a fifty percent increase in ticket reservations since the new policy. Attributing it to the direct implementation of the fee, Spirit Chief Executive Officer Ben Baldanza gave his reasoning for the increase to be a result of greater liberty for the customer.

As per the philosophy of the company, customer independence is the key to its success. By implementing this new policy, Spirit lowered their ticket price by forty dollars, therefore giving those with no carry-on luggage the chance to travel for less money. For those with a bag to bring on the plane, the cost of their respective ticket is five dollars more expensive.

According to Baldanza, customers are the ones who matter, and he feels that they understand this new tactic. Despite much negative media surrounding the issue, it seems Spirit is on to something. With 5 major airlines pledging not to charge more for what they deem to be rightful amenities, this new data could come as a shock to the industry.

With this in light, Spirit may be unintentionally prompting a revolution in the airline industry. With the removal of everything not completely necessary for travel, travelers may be entering an era that praises paying the lowest, most basic cost for tickets, all while being charged by the minute for a chair in which to sit as they wait in the terminal for the airplane’s arrival.

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