Spirit Airlines is known for being an “ultra-low-cost carrier,” but they have also gained public attention for various reasons. You may remember it for the unmistakable bright yellow plane or for having the least legroom, according to a comparison by Upgraded Points, a travel and finance guide site. The airline also settled a class action lawsuit worth $8.25 million in 2023 for their carry-on bag fees.
Americans are searching “Is it safe to fly?” more frequently this 2025, according to Google Trends. The most notable peak was on February 2, 2025, just two days after the fatal United Airlines crash with a helicopter jet. The search also had a sharp rise on February 18, a day after a Delta plane crashed at the Toronto Pearson Airport. Notably, Spirit Airlines is among the list of U.S. airlines that have never had a fatality due to an aircraft accident.
According to the knowledge base site, Spirit Airlines has 213 jets in its fleet, averaging around 5.93 years old. Spirit has an all-Airbus fleet, with no controversial Boeing planes that have racked up hundreds of lawsuits in the past few years. The modern fleet has the following lineup: Airbus A320, Airbus A321, or Airbus A321 Neo.
While its no-fatality record might look clean, Spirit Airlines has recorded several incidents, one of which ended with a minor injury. On November 11, 2024, a Spirit Airlines plane was hit by gunfire while attempting a landing in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The aircraft diverted to the Dominican Republic, leaving one flight attendant with minor injuries.
A number of incidents reported in the FAA newsroom include deplaned passengers due to smoke reported by the crew. There was also an incident in May 2024 when a Delta Airlines plane struck the wingtip of Spirit Airlines Flight 655 at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
Flight incident statistics are not enough to determine how safe a flight or an airline is. The Spirit Airlines fleet size reaches only 20% of the United Airlines fleet. Younger and smaller airlines are expected to have fewer accidents.
Knowing how flight incidents can occur due to an airline’s negligence and oversight gives you an advantage when fighting for your rights in any aviation accident. If you have been on a Spirit Airlines flight where you suffered personal injuries or distress, you may contact our aviation attorney to get an evaluation of your case.