Spirit Repositions Itself as Ultra Low-Cost Carrier

Spirit, classifying itself as an “ultra low-cost carrier,” said it lowered its fares by as much as 40 percent in March, but as of June 20 will begin charging passengers up to $10 apiece for their first two checked bags and $1 for juice, soda, coffee and tea.

The new checked bag fee is being applied to any customers who booked their Spirit flights this month. For now, Spirit said the $10-per-bag fee will stand, but the carrier said in early June it will begin offering the option to pay ahead of time via its Web site at $5 per bag.

The fee will be $100 for a third checked bag. The checked bag fees are separate from excess weight fees for checked bags weighing more than 50 pounds.

Spirit also is ditching its Spirit Plus class, which comes with dedicated check-in, priority boarding and free snacks and drinks, but is keeping the roomier seats and selling them at a premium as “Big Front Seats” without the Spirit Plus extras. Those extras go away June 20.