Are Spirit Airlines' Big Front Seats a worthwhile investment?

The name 'Spirit Airlines' stirs up a mix of feelings, particularly in light of the airline's recent operational issues. However, when things are running smoothly, Spirit offers an affordable and often underestimated way to travel across the country (and beyond).

Choosing to fly with Spirit can be a viable option, even if you opt for the notably tight economy seats. However, Spirit also offers larger seats at the front, known as Big Front Seats. Booking these seats allows you to experience what is essentially a domestic first-class seat at about 50% less than the typical fare on most traditional airlines.

Located in the first few rows of each plane, Spirit's Big Front Seats may pleasantly surprise you if you’ve never flown in them before. They are quite similar to domestic first-class seats found on most U.S. airlines but are generally priced much lower.

What exactly are the Big Front Seats on Spirit Airlines?

On Spirit Airlines, every advance seat selection incurs an extra fee, regardless of whether you choose a seat in the back or the front. Naturally, the cost varies significantly, with Big Front Seats being several times pricier than any other option on the aircraft.

Spirit's Big Front Seats are upholstered in leather, featuring a pitch of 36 inches and a width of 18.5 inches. This offers you an extra six inches of legroom compared to Spirit's standard seats, arranged two seats across per side of the aisle instead of three.

Like all seats on Spirit, Big Front Seats come "pre-reclined," meaning you cannot adjust the recline position.

In other words, on Spirit, you have the option to experience this:

Alternatively, you could opt for this:

I've experienced both types of seats on Spirit — multiple times.

Traditionally, the straightforward advice has been that Spirit's Big Front Seats are definitely worth it. However, since that answer feels a bit too simplistic (and prices have seemingly risen), I’ll offer a more nuanced perspective.

Under what circumstances are Spirit's Big Front Seats worth the investment?

If your flight is short (under two to three hours), and you're budget-conscious, it might be best to forgo Spirit's Big Front Seats if you can't rationalize the expense.

For a family of four, a $60 upgrade to Big Front Seats would total an additional $480 for a round trip. That’s a significant amount, especially if you're traveling on a budget.

Spirit's Big Front Seats don’t come with any included baggage, snacks, or other amenities besides the larger seat itself. Therefore, keeping that money in your wallet can sometimes be the smarter choice. After all, you’re likely flying Spirit for its affordability, not its luxury or comfort.

However, if you can secure a spacious seat for significantly less than an economy fare on another airline, it may be worth considering.

I've noticed that when flying in the Big Front Seats, you often share the space with small business owners and frequent flyers who typically put on their headphones and either sleep or work (since the trays are spacious enough for a laptop). This makes the experience feel similar to that of other airlines.

Booking Big Front Seats can be a smart choice if you’re looking for extra space. My husband is tall, and while he’s not particularly thrilled about flying Spirit, he’ll agree to it only if we secure the Big Front Seats. On our recent flight from Las Vegas to Houston, Spirit offered a favorable departure time and a significantly lower fare than United, even after adding the $68 fee for each Big Front Seat. So, we booked them without hesitation.

What is the cost of a Big Front Seat upgrade?

The cost for upgrading to a Big Front Seat depends on your flight and whether you have elite status. I've noticed that those with Gold elite status may pay slightly less, but only by a few dollars.

While you can view the availability of Big Front Seats when checking Spirit flight prices, the actual upgrade cost is revealed later in the booking process. In the past, I've seen upgrades start at around $20 per person on shorter flights, but currently, the lowest prices I’m encountering range from $40 to $60.

In recent test searches conducted for this article update, the price to select a Big Front Seat has significantly increased compared to previous levels.

In fact, on many routes I examined, Big Front Seats are now priced at $100 or more per flight. Just a few weeks ago, I rarely encountered prices exceeding $100. However, in my latest tests, I discovered a few shorter routes (like Los Angeles to Las Vegas) with Big Front Seats available for under $100. On average, though, the prices are now often in the $100 to $140 range, which is double what I used to see.

Here’s a current real-world example.

In a month, Spirit Airlines is charging $54 for a standard seat without an advance seat assignment for a Saturday night flight from Houston to Las Vegas. Opting for a Big Front Seat raises the price to $189, which includes an additional $135 for a more comfortable nonstop journey to Vegas.

United is asking $242 for the same route around the same time on a basic economy fare, which also lacks an advance seat assignment. A regular economy ticket with a seat assignment on United is priced at $281. Their domestic first-class seat, comparable to Spirit's Big Front Seat, costs $510 — more than 2.5 times what you’d pay for Spirit's equivalent seat.

This clearly illustrates that even with the recent price hikes for Big Front Seats, you can still save a substantial amount compared to the lowest economy fares on traditional airlines while enjoying a much larger seat on Spirit. Of course, there are other trade-offs to consider when choosing to fly Spirit, but on a seat-for-seat basis, Spirit's Big Front Seats often provide one of the best values in the sky for those seeking more than just the cheapest option.

Additionally, in Spirit's revamped frequent flyer program, you can earn 12 to 20 points per dollar spent (depending on your status) on extras like Big Front Seat assignments. TPG values Spirit points at 1.1 cents each, meaning you'll effectively get a 13 to 22% return in Spirit points for your Big Front Seat reservations.

We’ve also found that purchases of Big Front Seats can count towards annual travel and airline fee credits on cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and The Platinum Card® from American Express (enrollment required). If you have such a card, this could be a way to enjoy more space when flying Spirit without incurring significant out-of-pocket expenses for the 'upgrade.'

Final thoughts

You may not always require a larger seat to reach your destination with Spirit. Often, the cheapest ticket available is the most practical choice. However, if your budget allows for the added expense of a Big Front Seat on Spirit Airlines, your back — and potentially your mood — will likely appreciate the extra investment in comfort during the flight.

When traveling with my two kids, it sometimes makes more sense for us to sit three across in the less expensive seats rather than spend several hundred dollars on Big Front Seats. Conversely, if I’m flying solo or just with my husband, who truly values the extra space, opting for Big Front Seats can be a wise choice.