Well, would you look at that? Spirit Airlines has gone and found a way to capitalize on Weinergate, running this spectacular bargain flight special: The Weiner Sale! With Fares Too HARD To Resist. Get it?! more ›

Spirit Airlines has never been known for its service; a quick Twitter search brings up comparisons like "Air Walmart" and "TRASH." But one reader sent us this horror story that almost seems too ridiculous to be true. She and her family missed their flight from LaGuardia to St. Thomas (with a stop in Ft. Lauderdale) yesterday because Spirit employees couldn't check people in fast enough. However, their bags made it on the plane, and are presumably enjoying the sun and warmth of St. Thomas while she and her family are still in New York. She writes: more ›

Bad news if you're flying Spirit Airlines today; the company's reservation system has crashed, and we're seeing reports of long lines at LaGuardia this morning. The airline is currently conducting manual check-ins with Spirit staff hand-writing boarding passes. In a statement issued to CNN, a Spirit spokesperson described the computer failure as "routine maintenance." (We'll leave it to you to insert your own incredulous scoffing sound.) The statement further elaborates: "Our system is currently down, but we expect it to be up again shortly. In the meantime, we are checking in customers manually. Although this does take a bit more time, we do have additional staffing at our airports today and we are getting customers to their flights on time." more ›

Well, the oil in the Gulf is already on its way to Pensacola and Cuba, and who knows, maybe Scotland? But Spirit Airlines wants you to know there's a different kind of oil in Ft. Lauderdale. (That is, until the spill hits the Loop Current.) Ads on their website invite travelers to check out the (tanning) oil on beaches in Atlantic City, San Juan and Cancun for $50 off! All while poking a little harmless fun at a horrific environmental catastrophe. Did the fees from carry on luggage pay for that brilliant ad campaign, or did their marketing department just hire Tony Hayward? [Via Deadspin] more ›

After a pilots' strike over wages forced Spirit Airlines to cancel flights since last Saturday, the airline has reached a deal with the pilots and says flights will begin again tomorrow. However, the strike won't be over until the pilots sign a back-to-work agreement; Sean Creed, a Spirit captain and union rep, told the AP, "I think our people will be more than willing to assist the company in getting itself back together and fully operational as soon as we possibly can." more ›

There are still no talks scheduled between over 400 striking pilots and Spirit Airlines, which has forced the airline to cancel all flights through tomorrow Wednesday. Their website reads, "Spirit Airlines is continuing to work with our pilot union to reach a fair and equitable agreement that ensures the long-term stability of the company, and allows us to continue offering you the ultra low fares you have come to know and love," and offers flight credit to those who intended to fly on those dates. But refunds aren't getting travelers where they need to be. more ›

Notoriously stingy Spirit Airlines has been forced to cancel all of today's flights as the pilot strike continues into its second day. Pilots claim they have been working in poor conditions and want to be paid as much as their counterparts at JetBlue and Airtran. A union spokesman says they "will not return to the cockpit until a fair and equitable contract is negotiated." Spirit Airlines says there are no plans for new negotiations, and have been busy attempting to refund travelers' tickets and get them onto other fights. It's not going so smoothly. more ›

After saying travelers were at a "breaking point" with extra luggage fees, Senator Chuck "Picklepuss" Schumer has convinced the CEOs of numerous major airlines not to adopt a fee for carry on luggage, which Spirit Airlines will be rolling out in August. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, US Airways and JetBlue Airways have all agreed not to charge for carry on bags, despite the fact that they will all be reporting first quarter losses. more ›

Sen. Chuck Schumer wrote a letter to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner today, demanding he close the loophole that is letting Spirit Airlines charge up to $45 for carry-on luggage. He wants to reverse a ruling that says carry-on luggage isn't "reasonably necessary," and thus isn't subject to federal taxes. That means Spirit can pocket all the cash from the fees without paying any taxes. Schumer told the Daily News, "Peanuts may not be a necessity, but the ability to carry on a bag is." Schumer said that if Geithner wouldn't stop the fees, he would introduce legislation that would. more ›

Spirit Airlines, which services LaGuardia Airport, announced yesterday that they will begin charging for carry-on bags in August. The new policy will allow passengers to bring one item on the plane (such as a backpack or purse) for free, and will charge passengers $30 for another carry on item if they check in online, and $45 if they check in at the gate. That's right folks, for almost half the price of a one way trip to Cancun, you can bring all of your stuff with you! more ›

Earlier this week it was reported that Lenox Hill Hospital surgeon Mitchell Roslin was booted off a Spirit Airlines flight (along with his family) after demanding water for his pregnant wife during a delay on the tarmac. He told the NY Post that they denied his request, saying it was against corporate policy. He declared: "I refuse to accept that people can't have a moral compass to give out water." more ›

As a Spirit Airlines flight was delayed on the tarmac yesterday at LaGuardia Airport, a Lenox Hill Hospital surgeon—Mitchell Roslin (pictured)—requested some water for his pregnant wife. You know where this is going... more ›

Souvenirs are usually inanimate doodads, so we must update the story of the man who smuggled a pygmy marmoset from Peru under his hat. The monkey attracted attention not from airport screeners in Lima or in Fort Lauderdale (where Spirit Airlines Flight 180 connected) but from passengers on the flight to Laguardia who noticed the monkey hanging from the man's ponytail. more ›

Emergency newswires are reporting that Port Authority cops requested that the Emergency Services Unit hustle over to Laguardia's main terminal this afternoon - and with a cage - because there was a monkey on the loose inside the airport. The animal apparently arrived at Gate B6 on Spirit Airlines' Flight 180. more ›