Airport Check-In Information
Travel Policies > Airport Check-In Information
Airport Check-In Information
Day of Departure
Check-In begins 3 hours prior to departure at the Spirit Airlines ticket counter.
Spirit Airlines reserves the right to cancel the reservation or seat assignment
of any customer who does not have a boarding pass at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled
or posted departure (45 minutes for Atlanta, Ft. Lauderdale, Las Vegas and Los Angeles; 60 minutes for international and U.S.V.I. flights).
Due to additional Transportation Safety Administration screening requirements, customers
wanting to check baggage are required to do so at the ticket counter at least 30
minutes before departure (45 minutes for Atlanta, Ft. Lauderdale, Las Vegas and Los Angeles; 60 minutes for international flights). Customers presenting
themselves at the boarding gate less than 15 minutes before the departure (30 minutes
for international flights) may lose their reservation and become ineligible for
denied boarding compensation. With proper photo ID, customers who are currently
holding a boarding pass that do not need to check luggage can go directly to the
gate area and await boarding. For more information on international flight check-in,
please visit the International Travel section.
Airport Processing Times (in the United States)
Due to lengthy TSA security checkpoint times, it is recommended you check local
news and airport information prior to arrival at the airport.
The average time it takes to enter an airport terminal, check in, clear TSA security
and board our aircraft within the U.S. is approximately three (3) hours. Some
airports may require more time during peak traffic hours. For tips on how to help save time at the airport and to get more information
about new security procedures, please refer to the TSA Web site at www.TSATravelTips.us. Checking in online within 24 and up
to 1 hour(s) prior to your flight's departure time is highly recommended. In addition,
using a Spirit Airlines self check-in kiosk (where available) to check-in for domestic
flights and international flights (for U.S. passport holders) will help reduce your airport processing time. The self check-in kiosks
are located at or near Spirit Airlines ticket counters (at select airports) and
before entering security checkpoints.
If you are departing during peak traffic hours, the listed approximate processing
time should provide you with ample time to make your flight. Sunday afternoons,
Friday afternoons and Monday mornings may require an additional half-hour. Peak
traffic hours are: 6:30 AM - 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM, 3:30 PM - 7:30 PM.
Airport Processing Times (Outside the United States)
Please keep in mind that for most cities/regions outside the U.S., the approximate
airport processing time is three (3) hours.
General Check-In Information and Tips
Customers checking in for flights must present themselves at the gate and be ready
to board their flight no later than 15 minutes prior to departure on domestic flights
and 30 minutes prior to departure for international flights, even if they have previously
checked in. Customers not in the boarding area by this specified time prior to scheduled
departure are subject to seat cancellation and non-transport of their checked baggage
(if applicable).
Here are a few tips to help ensure a stress free airport check-in experience:
- It is highly recommended that you utilize the convenience of online check-in for
your domestic flights whenever possible in order to expedite processing time at
the airport on the day of departure. Please visit
www.spiritair.com and go to Online Check-In. Obtaining a boarding pass in
advance will enable you to bypass ticket counter check-in and help get you to the
departure gate quicker. (If you have baggage to check, you may do so curbside where
available or at the Spirit Airlines ticket counter).
- Allow more than enough time to check in and get to the gate. Some airports may require
as much as three (3) hours for passenger processing.
- Whenever possible, check in and obtain boarding passes at one of Spirit Airlines'
self-check in kiosks (available in Atlantic City, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, New York LaGuardia, Boston, Atlanta, Orlando, Myrtle Beach, and Fort Myers).
- Remember that Federal law prohibits carrying sharp or other dangerous objects, which
could be used as weapons aboard the aircraft. Pack appropriately to avoid inconvenience
at security checkpoints.
Packing Tips and Security Procedures
TSA prohibits all lighters from the sterile area of airports (beyond security
checkpoints) and onboard aircraft, effective March 1, 2005. Passengers are
prohibited from carrying all lighters on their person or in carry-on luggage.
Lighters will continue to be prohibited in checked luggage. The ban covers butane
(BIC-type), absorbed-fuel (Zippo-type), electric/battery-powered, and novelty lighters.
Matches are still allowed at this time.
Both checked baggage and carry-on baggage will be screened. Please pack accordingly.
Please be aware of items that are not allowed. Some items are prohibited in carry-on
bags, some are prohibited in checked bags, and some items are prohibited in both.
The most commonly overlooked items are scissors, pocketknives and sharp or pointed
tools. Please check
http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=175 for an updated list of permitted
and prohibited items.
Please be aware of items that may cause delays during the passenger screening process.
Jewelry, belt buckles, keys, cell phones, pagers, PDA's, etc. should be placed in
carry-on baggage and not left on your person.
Film should be packed in carry-on baggage as equipment used to screen checked luggage
will damage undeveloped film. Wrapped gifts that you intend to carry-on may be opened
during security check points, so please pack holiday gifts unwrapped.
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Airport and Destination Information
Please visit our Airport Information section
for more information about our airports and destinations. From our Airport Information
section you'll be able to get to the individual airport website, get destination
information and view deals that may be available.
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Self Check-In Kiosks
Spirit Airlines offers self service check-in kiosks at select airport locations.
These kiosks provide a quick and convenient option for domestic customers to check-in
for a flight at the airport on the day of departure and by-pass lines at the ticket
counter.
Customers may utilize this option for check-in within four (4) hours of scheduled
departure time.
Self Check-In Kiosks are available in: Atlanta, Atlantic City, Boston, Detroit,
Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, LaGuardia, Myrtle Beach and Orlando.
Kiosk Guidelines & Benefits:
Spirit Customer Service Agents will assist those customers who wish to check excess
baggage, or have specific ticketing or special service needs.
The kiosks are designed to allow customers to by-pass ticketing lines and perform
the following check-in transactions:
- Print your boarding pass.
- View a real-time seat map.
- Request or change seat assignments.
- Check and purchase baggage (at select locations).
Self Service Check-In is easy to use and meets all enhanced security requirements
& procedures:
- To retrieve your travel bookings, swipe any major credit card including your FREE
SPIRIT MasterCard with your name on it as it appears on your E-ticket.
- Follow the screen prompts to complete the check-in process. If checking luggage,
wait for the Spirit Customer Service Representatives to tag your luggage, check
your government issued photo I.D., and provide you with your baggage claim ticket.
Once your boarding pass has printed, proceed through security.
If a customer has already printed the boarding pass from our web site, there is
no need to use a kiosk unless there is luggage to check-in or any additional requirements.
If the customer has a bag to check-in, curbside baggage check-in can be used instead
of the kiosk (where available). The Spirit Airlines ticket counters are always available
for all baggage check-in to the final destination.
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