Is Spirit Airlines Safe? Here’s Safety Laws & Accident Records

You are standing at the airport, ticket in hand, staring at the bright yellow plane parked outside the window, then a group of travelers walks past you; some excited, some nervous, and some whispering, “I have never flown Spirit before! Is it even safe? And after listening to this, eventually your weeks of preparation, and the months of courage that you have gathered started to fall, didn’t they? 

You think back to the moment when you clicked “Book Now,” drawn by the excitingly low prices, but now, as the boarding time creeps closer, your curiosity kicks in. What is the real story behind Spirit Airlines’ low-cost fares? Is this just another brand gamble, or is there more to this airline? And then comes the most important query: Is Spirit Airlines Safe? 

Eventually, the airlines known for ultra-low-cost, no-frills travel often spark debate, and Spirit is no exception. So, before you step onto that yellow jet, let’s dive into the truth behind Spirit’s safety record—and the surprises most travelers don’t expect.

Overview: Is Spirit Airlines Safe?

When it comes to budget airlines, safety is always the first priority of travelers. And why won’t it be? Spirit Airlines, famous for its low fares and no-frill approach, often gets a mixed reputation. But, behind the memes and online chatter, how safe is it to travel with Spirit Airlines? 

On paper, Spirit Airlines has not faced any fatal crashes in its history, has a relatively young fleet, and has a strong reputation with regulators for maintenance. However, these records do not specify that there is no risk, but Spirit’s consideration for safety and maintenance sets it apart. Let’s know about the safety records of Spirit Airlines. 

Spirit Airlines Safety Record Explained

When you dig into Spirit’s safety record, the story is not about shortcuts; it is more about the system that the airline follows. Despite being a budget airline, Spirit, not compromise on safety regulations. From rigid maintenance routines to compliance with strict aviation regulations, the airline travel record deserves a closer look. 

In this section, we will walk you through Spirit Airlines’ safety records and will provide you with information about its performance. 

No Fatal Accidents In History

Spirit Airlines has never had a fatal crash or any accidents that resulted in a hull loss. According to global customer ratings, Spirit has passed major safety criteria, including security checkers, audits, and has maintained a “Fatality Free” record. Many safety analysts highlight that approximately the top 50 airlines have the best safety standards, including Spirit Airlines on the list. 

Regulatory Compliance & Safety Audit Success

Spirit Airlines is FAA-regulated and follows maintenance, operational, and training protocols. The airline also received the FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Diamond Award of Excellence, a high honor for its maintenance practices. 

Independent Safety Ratings

Numerous global rating websites have assigned Spirit an impressive safety rating of 7 out of 7 and 4.5 out of 5, which is quite high according to the growing aviation industry. Apart from this, the airline is also ranked among the safest US airlines in the year 2024.  

Has Spirit Ever Had a Major Crash?

Crash headlines evoke the worst fear of any traveler, but when it comes to Spirit Airlines, the question is not about “If Spirit has any crash?” but what kind of incidents have actually happened. As discussed above, the airline has not experienced any fatal incidents or crashes in its aviation history, but there have been some non-fatal incidents you should know about before considering booking with Spirit Airlines. 

Notable Non-Fatal Incidents Happened With Spirit Airlines

While Spirit hasn’t had any fatal accidents, there have been a few incidents worth discussing. These help passengers give a balanced view of its safety. You can check more information about these non-fatal incidents from the table listed below. 

Date and Flight Detail	Incident	Details
July 17, 2015, on Flight 708 (Airbus A319)	A Fume event	The flight experienced “fume events” on descent, where 2 pilots inhaled some hazardous gas. The captain later passed away (50 days later), reportedly showing symptoms linked to TOCP (a toxic compound), while the other recovered.
October 2, 2021, on Flight 3044 (Airbus A320neo)	Bird strike	The plane was hit by a bird strike during takeoff. The boarding was then aborted, and four passengers had minor injuries during the evacuation process.
July 10, 2022, on Flight 383 (Airbus A320)	Brake fire	On landing in Atlanta, the brakes overheated and caught fire. No, injuries were identified after successfully evacuating the travelers.
March 1, 2023, on Flight 259 (Airbus A320)	Battery fire	A lithium-ion battery in an overhead bin caught fire mid-flight from Dallas to Orlando. The fire was put out, and 10 passengers were hospitalized for treatment.
November 11, 2024, on Flight 951 (Airbus A320neo)	Gunfire	The aircraft was hit by gunfire while approaching Port-au-Prince, Haiti. A flight attendant was grazed; the plane diverted safely to the Dominican Republic.

How Does Spirit Contribute To Your Safer Trip?

Flying safety is not just about avoiding crashes; it is about the layers of protection and precautions in place long before you board. Spirit Airlines invests in strict pilot training, regular aircraft checks, and strictly adheres to FAA safety regulations to ensure every flight departure meets the US aviation industry standards. 

The safety measures of the airline rest on several pillars, which are equally important to provide a comfortable and safe aviation experience to the passengers. Here they are as follows. 

FAA Safety Ratings & Government Compliance

All the US airlines follow strict, non-negotiable FAA safety requirement tests, including a mandatory aircraft inspection, regular maintenance of logs, safety-related employee training, emergency procedure readiness, crew flight timings, and fatigue management. Apart from the FAA rules, the aircraft & airline should also be aware of the airport safety compliance. The FAA monitors every single airline, so no carrier, whether a budget one or a premium one, gets to operate without following the rules, including Spirit Airlines. 

Maintenance Quality & Aircraft Fleet Safety

Spirit operates a young fleet, primarily newer Airbus A320 family jets, which helps reduce the risk which is associated with the older aircraft. Their maintenance technicians undergo continuous FAA-developed training courses annually that help them perform better. You can check out the fleet of Spirit Airlines here. 

Aircraft	In service	Average Age Of Aircraft
Airbus A320-200	31	Approx 7.8 years
Airbus A320neo	27
Airbus A321-200	22
Airbus A321neo	22
Total	102

Pilot Training and Qualifications

All the pilots operating Spirit Airlines fleet go through the exact rigorous training requirements as every other major commercial pilot in the U.S. The pilot requirements include:

• Minimum 1,500 flight hours
• Airline Transport Pilot certification
• FAA-approved simulator training
• Recurrent training every 6 months
• Emergency scenario drills
• Annual medical evaluations

Spirit’s Operational Reliability (Delays & Cancellations)

Operational reliability, such as how often the airline cancels or delays the flight, is not a factor directly relatable to safety, but it affects passengers’ confidence and risk perception. As per the research, Spirit Airlines cancelled 40% of its flights as a result of some travel disruptions over the weekend due to weather disruptions and operational challenges. Apart from this, no other issues have been recorded related to Spirit Airlines flight cancellations, from which the passengers have any discomfort. 

Comparing Spirit’s Safety to Other Low-Cost Airlines

While Spirit Airlines is a prominent name among the ultra-low-cost carriers in the US, it is absolutely okay to compare its safety with similar budget airlines. On the one hand, Spirit has been recognised for its string safety metrics; it loses some low-cost safety, list raises concerns. 

Other budget carriers, such as Frontier Airlines & Southwest Airlines, tend to score very high in safety rankings and have low average fleet age. Spirit Airlines doesn’t lead in every category, but its safety record is comparable, and in some cases, even stronger, than other low-cost carriers.

Pros and Cons: Is Spirit Safe Enough for Your Next Trip?

Spirit Airlines’ business model is unbundled, which means you pay only for what you use, such as bags, seat selection, food, and so on. This helps them keep low fares without unnecessarily cutting corners on safety-critical areas. Here are the pros and cons of Spirit Airlines with reference to its safety measures, and decide effectively whether to book with the airline or not. 

Pros:-

• No fatal crash in history.
• Strong maintenance credentials, including the FAA Diamond Award.
• The airline has a young and modern fleet of 102 aircraft.
• The airline has also received high safety rankings from independent evaluators. 
• The airline has also implemented a comprehensive approach to safety by conducting proactive inspections whenever concerns are raised. It includes thorough checks of aircraft systems, maintenance records, and operational procedures, ensuring that any potential issues are addressed promptly and effectively. 

Cons:-

• The airline has faced some non-fatal issues, including fume events, battery fires, and generator failures. 
• The airline experienced disruptions that resulted in a flight cancellation. This incident occurred due to weather and technical issues, affecting several passengers who had to rebook their travel plans.
• Being a low-cost carrier means that the airlines offer fewer frills, which may feel less “premium” (though not necessarily less safe).

Final Answer: Should You Feel Safe While Flying With Spirit?

Is Spirit Airlines Safe? Yes! Spirit Airlines is safe to travel with. You can consider flying with Spirit Airlines if safety is your primary concern rather than comfort. Their lack of fatal accidents, repeated maintenance recognitions from the FAA, and relatively young fleet make it one of the safest airlines in the US aviation industry. The choice depends on you. 

If you prioritize comfort and luxurious amenities, you might consider other budget airlines like JetBlue Airways, Southwest, or Alaska Airlines. However, if you are looking for affordable ticket prices along with reliable, trustworthy aviation, Spirit Airlines is a great choice. Note that safety isn’t an amenity; it’s a standard, no one should compromise with!

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