How Spirit Boarding Zones and Shortcuts Work?

Spirit Airlines is one of the most budget-friendly carriers in the U.S., having great travel deals available. To ease the boarding process for its travelers, Spirit has different boarding zones. These zones allow passengers to board their flights in a hierarchy.

Apart from these zones, the airline also provides a shortcut boarding option to travelers which allows priority boarding, subject to some fee. This option is worth it for those traveling in groups or with families to avoid any last-minute hassle.

Spirit Airlines Boarding Zones

Spirit Airlines divides its boarding process into distinct zones that is similar to other low-cost airlines, like Frontier. These zones assist passengers in boarding efficiently and ensuring they are seated in a systematic and organized manner with the least amount of hassle. Also, seat assignment, fare class, and any extra services passenger purchases all have a major role in determining the boarding zones.

Spirit Airlines typically have 4 boarding zones:

• Zone 1: For Gold Elite Members
• Zone 2: For Silver Elite Members, or for passengers who have paid for shortcut boarding or carry-on bags, and co-branded credit card holders.
• Zone 3: For passengers having seats at the last of the plane.
• Zone 4: For passengers having seats at the front of the plane.

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Zone 1 Boarding on Spirit Airlines

Passengers who board an aircraft in the first batch are included in Zone 1 Spirit Airlines boarding. Typically, these will be travelers who have either selected priority boarding in any of their fare packages, are seated in the Big Front Seat, or have purchased Shortcut Boarding. By doing this, you’ll be in a far better position to make sure your carry-on luggage fits in the overhead bin and that you have enough time to settle into your seat.

Benefits:

• Gold Elite Members: To be eligible as a Gold Elite member, a person must typically fly with Spirit Airlines regularly and gain a certain amount of points or miles. Priority boarding, which spares them from the hassles of regular boarding, is one of the many advantages of gold membership.

• Priority Boarding: Boarding in Zone 1 ensures that you’ll board quickly, ahead of the masses, and with a good chance of securing a seat well in advance of the aircraft taking off.

• Passengers with Carry-on Bags: You can also access early boarding if you decide to use your funds to buy a carry-on bag.

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Zone 2 Boarding On Spirit Airlines

Zone 2 boarding on Spirit Airlines is the second group that the airline calls to board their aircraft. Most passengers in this zone have their seats in the plane’s middle section, which includes rows 5 through 15. Although Zone 2 passengers do not have early access like Zone 1, they can board ahead of passengers seated in the back of the plane.

Benefits:

• Although it is not as early as Zone 1, access to the plane is still comparatively early.

• Travelers in Zone 2 can still anticipate finding room in the overhead bins for their carry-on luggage.

• Zone 2 boarding is just one of the amazing benefits available to Silver Elite Members. This is the position right below Gold. Like Gold members, Spirit Airlines frequent flyers seem to need to accrue a significant number of points to achieve this elite status. Cheaper airfare and more luggage allowance are two additional advantages of this status.

• Passengers traveling in Zone 1 who are not eligible for priority boarding can still benefit from Zone 2 boarding. They will gain from having a better chance of finding room for their bags in the overhead bins.

» Learn More: What Terminal is Spirit Airlines at ORD?

Zone 3 & 4: General Boarding

If your boarding pass specifies that you are required to go through Zones 3 or 4, you will board the aircraft last. This could be the result of your seats being in the front or back of the aircraft. To avoid causing any inconvenience to other passengers, the airlines allow these passengers to board last.

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Priority Boarding with Spirit Airlines

If you want priority boarding with Spirit Airlines for an enhanced departure experience, here are the eligibility criteria for the same:

• Spirit Airlines grants priority boarding to Gold or Silver Elite members.

• You will be given priority boarding if you purchase a carry-on bag for your flight.

• Priority boarding is available to holders of the Free Spirit Travel Mastercard or the Free Spirit Travel More World Elite Mastercard.

• You will be given priority boarding if you are taking an air tour with children under three years old.

• Spirit Airlines will let you board the plane first if you are disabled or in need of any special assistance.

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Spirit Airlines Shortcut Boarding

Shortcut Boarding on Spirit Airlines provides Zone 2 access to eligible passengers. The Quick Reference Passengers have to pay to opt for shortcut boarding which will allow them to complete a priority boarding.

Travelers who value convenience will find this service helpful because it speeds up the boarding process and gives them access to overhead bin space before it fills up.

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Is Spirit Shortcut Boarding worth it?

Yes, Spirit Airlines Shortcut Boarding is worth it. Although it is subject to some extra cost but caters to the needs of passengers.

It is advised to opt for the Shortcut Boarding option if you’re traveling with carry-on bags. This will help passengers who enjoy boarding first so they can unpack, find a seat, avoid the throng, and start the experience stress-free.

Here are the ways to purchase a shortcut boarding from Spirit Airlines:

• One of the ways includes achieving Silver elite status through Spirit Airlines’ exciting free Spirit Loyalty program.

• At checkout, shortcut boarding is also available for purchase. To save costs, Spirit has combined different extras on flights or separately added items for sale.

• For instance, you can enter Zone 2 automatically by forgoing the $5 expedited boarding fee if you are traveling with a carry-on bag. The cost of a carry-on bag through Zone 2 varies depending on your flight, and it also includes free expedited boarding.

Spirit Shortcut Boarding Cost

Spirit Airlines shortcut boarding costs between $7.99 and $9.99. An additional expense is “Shortcut Security,” which is about $20. This service is available only at some selected airports. It works independently of TSA PreCheck but spares users from part of the standard check-in process.

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Final Words

Spirit provides multiple boarding zones for the ease of its passengers, which varies based on different factors including passengers having gold/silver memberships, or having paid for extra carry-on bags, etc.

Additionally, for families or group travel, Spirit Airlines provides shortcut boarding options for an additional fee. This option is worth the extra cost as it allows priority boarding to avoid any last-minute rush for its travelers.

To wrap up, Spirit can be considered as a good & safe option for travelers. While the airline offers affordable fares, it also provides additional options for traveler’s ease, subject to an extra cost. Ultimately, travelers can choose what best accommodates their needs.

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