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If you plan to travel with just a carry-on, you’ll need to be up to speed with your airline’s carry-on policy. Each airline’s rules are slightly different, so don’t just assume that what works for one, will work for all airlines. This is especially true if you’re flying a low-cost airline, like Spirit, Frontier, or Allegiant.
Low-cost airlines may have lower base fares, but if you’re not careful, you’ll actually pay more because of all their “a la carte” fees. These include costs for both checked and carry-on luggage, among other things.
In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Spirit’s carry-on policy. This includes Spirit’s carry-on size and weight limits, liquid policy, personal items, pets, prohibited items, and other rules and restrictions you should know before boarding your flight.
Spirit Airlines Carry-On Size & Weight Limit
Spirit allows one personal item onboard at no charge, but they will charge you for both carry-on bags and any checked bags you have.
If there is one airline where you need to be aware of the size limits for your carry-on bag and your personal item size, it’s Spirit. They are notorious for being extremely strict about size restrictions and will charge you a fee if your bags don’t fit within their guidelines.
Because of this, you should always check the size and weight of all bags, both checked and carry-on, before leaving to board a Spirit flight!
Spirit Carry-On Size (Dimensions)
Spirit’s size requirements for a carry-on bag are 22″ x 18″ x 10″. The carry-on bag must fit in the overhead bin or it will have to be checked.
The fees for your carry-on will vary depending upon a variety of factors including when you pay for it, where you are flying to, and if you are a member of their Savers club. In order to know the actual cost of your carry-on and checked bags, you will have to use Spirit’s Bag-O-Tron tool.
Spirit actually charges about $10 more for a carry-on bag than your first checked bag.
Here are the fees you will pay at different points in the process:
| Baggage Type | Non-Member | Savers Club Member |
| Carry-on Bag (During Booking) | $60-$69 | $59-$68 |
| Carry-on Bag (Online Before Check-In) | $62-$73 | $61-$72 |
| Carry-on Bag (At Airport Check-In) | $89 | $89 |
| Carry-on Bag (At Gate) | $99 | $99 |
| Personal Item | Free | Free |
Double-check Spirit’s current bag prices for carry-on, checked bags, and sporting equipment. With Spirit, fees are always subject to change.
Spirit Airlines Carry-On Weight Limit
Spirit does not impose weight restrictions on a carry-on bag.
However, when checking a bag, the weight limit is 40 pounds per bag. If your bag is over 40 pounds or larger than 62 linear inches, the following additional fees apply to checked luggage:
| Baggage Type | Baggage Fee |
| Overweight Baggage (41-50 pounds) | $79 |
| Overweight Baggage (51-70 pounds) | $99 |
| Oversized Baggage (63-80 linear inches) | $100 |
| Oversized Baggage (Over 80 linear inches) | $150 |
Recommended Carry-On Bag When Flying Spirit Airlines
If you are looking for a great carry-on bag when flying Spirit, I recommend the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Expandable Spinner. I have used this carry-on for years. It’s durable, reasonably priced, and holds everything I need for shorter trips. Plus the spinner wheels make it very easy to coast through the airport quickly and effortlessly.
4-wheel spinners rotate 360°.
Case Dimensions:
- H: 21 in. W: 14 in. D: 9 in.
- Weight: 5.4 lbs.
This carry-on bag has been sizer bin tested to accommodate overhead bin space on most major US airlines. Fully expanded Carry-On may not meet airline restrictions.
Spirit Personal Item Size & Fees
According to Spirit, personal items include a purse, briefcase, laptop, backpack, shopping bag, or a similar-sized item.
They must fit under the seat in front of you and the dimensions cannot exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm) including handles and wheels.
Spirit does not charge a fee for a personal item, it’s included in the price of your ticket.
Spirit Airlines Carry-On Liquids Rules
The rules for carry-on liquids are set by the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), not by the airline. Spirit Airlines doesn’t have its own specific Liquids Policy, they just enforce the rules and policies of the TSA.
It’s also important to note that the rules for bringing a “liquid” in your carry-on bag are different from the rules that govern what you can bring in your checked luggage. Liquids in a carry-on bag must be 3.4 ounces or smaller and fit in a 1 quart-sized container. Anything larger must be placed in your checked luggage.
- All liquids, gels, pastes, and aerosols must be in a container of 3.4 ounces or smaller.
- All liquids must be in a resealable quart-sized clear plastic bag removed from your carry-on during the TSA screening process.
- Special exceptions are in place for items such as medication, formula, breast milk, etc.
- Food and Drinks purchased once you have cleared TSA checkpoints are not included in these restrictions.
The TSA 3-1-1 Rule
Each passenger may carry liquids, gels, and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters and are enclosed in a sealed one-quart-size bag. Common travel items that must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, and lotion.
Any liquid that does not meet the TSA 3-1-1 rule will either have to be checked with your luggage or will be thrown away at the security checkpoint.
Exceptions to this rule are certain medications and baby food/child nourishments.
Spirit Airlines Carry-On Food Policy
If you are planning on bringing food onboard, the TSA sets the rules for what type of food you can bring on the plane. There are two different scenarios pertaining to food:
- The food you bring with you from home, and
- The food you buy at the airport after you have gone through security.
When bringing food with you from home, an important thing to note is the classification of liquid vs. solid foods. The general rule is “If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it, or pour it, then it’s considered a liquid or gel,”.
This means your food may be considered a liquid and will fall under the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule, which mandates that any liquid, gel, cream, aerosol, or paste in a carry-on must be 3.4 ounces or less, and fit in one quart-size resealable bag (only one such bag is allowed per passenger).
Here’s a link to the TSA website advising what food can be brought with you on your Spirit flight. This applies to food you are bringing from home through security.
Once you get through security, you can bring just about any food on the plane that you buy at the airport. One exception to this is alcohol, you cannot bring alcohol purchased at the airport with you on the plane.
Spirit Airlines Snack and Beverage Menu
As a low-cost carrier, Spirit won’t provide any drinks or snacks for free during your flight, but you can purchase them with a credit or debit card (no cash).
If you are curious about what options you will have check out the Spirit Airlines food and beverage menu PDF, which is also available on their website. Spirit’s beverage menu includes soft drinks, tea, coffee, beer, wine, and liquor. The snack menu is fairly basic with pretzels, peanuts, and some candy items.
Spirit Airlines Carry-On Pet Policy
Spirit Airlines allows small domesticated pets to travel on all domestic flights including Puerto Rico and St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. Spirit will only allow the following pets on the aircraft:
- Domestic dogs
- Domestic cats
- Small household birds (except to/from Puerto Rico and the U.S.V.I.)
- Small domestic rabbits (except to/from Puerto Rico and U.S.V.I)
If you are going to bring a pet on board with you, it must be able to fit in a small, ventilated pet carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. Your pet carrier cannot exceed 18″ x 14″ x 9″, and the combined weight of your pet and the carrier must not exceed 40 pounds.
Here are a couple of other guidelines when traveling with a pet:
- A health certificate is not required for pets traveling with guests in the aircraft cabin, except for Guests traveling to U.S.V.I.
- Spirit Airlines does require a rabies vaccination certificate for pets traveling with guests in the aircraft cabin to Puerto Rico.
- Spirit only allows small domestic dogs, domestic cats, small household birds, and small domestic rabbits on the aircraft.
- Birds are not allowed to and from cities in Puerto Rico or the U.S.V.I.
- Exotic pets such as snakes, spiders, rodents, etc. will not be accepted.
- A maximum of 2 pets per container is permitted, but only one container per guest is allowed.
- Animals must be able to stand upright and move about comfortably in the container.
- The pet should be at least eight (8) weeks old and fully weaned.
- The animal must be harmless, inoffensive, odorless, and require no attention during the flight.
- If the animal becomes offensive or causes a disturbance prior to leaving the gate; it will be removed.
- The pet cannot be ill, violent, or in physical distress.
- Advance notice is recommended but not required.
- You may choose to sit anywhere you wish with the exception of the first row and emergency exit rows.
Spirit Carry-On Pet Fees
Here is a chart showing the pet fees Spirit charges each way. Double them for a round-trip flight.
| To/From Destination | Pet Fee Each Way |
| Any Spirit Airlines Flight | $ 110.00 |
TSA-Approved Pet Carrier for Spirit
If you do plan on bringing your pet with you, make sure you follow TSA’s pet policy and have an approved Pet Carrier that conforms to Spirit’s pet policy.
I have traveled with 2 dogs over the last 10 years, one was a 20 lb. Shih Tzu-Bichon (in the picture above) and another is a 12lb. Chihuahua mix. We used the Sherpa pet carrier when bringing them on a flight, and it worked great!
Features mesh panels so your pet can breathe easily, a non-slip shoulder strap, locking zippers, and a rear storage pocket for treats and other goodies.
Approved for use on most major airlines and the small and medium sizes are included in Sherpa's exclusive Guaranteed on Board program.
Prohibited and Restricted Items
There are certain items that are considered dangerous and classified as hazardous materials. Dangerous goods are prohibited from both your carry-on and checked bag on all flights. These rules are not specific to any airline and are mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Restricted Items:
The following list is classified as hazardous and may not be carried in any baggage (neither checked nor carry-on). The list is not all-inclusive and Spirit may reject any substance it deems to be a threat to the safety of its passengers and crew.
- Liquor products over 140 proof.
- Gasoline-powered tools.
- Compressed gases.
- Corrosives (such as acids and wet batteries).
- Explosives (such as dynamite, but also including fireworks).
- Flammables (such as matches and lighter fuels).
- Poisons.
- Magnetic and radioactive materials and all other items by government regulations.
Additional prohibited or restricted hazardous or dangerous goods and materials can be found in the following resources in effect at the time of travel:
Summary: Spirit Carry-On Size and Fees
In summary, Spirit’s carry-on fees can be a big, unexpected expense for travelers who are not aware of their strict and painful policies. With Spirit, in particular, it’s very important to review their carry-on and checked baggage guidelines before booking a flight.
It’s always a good idea to research the baggage fees and policies of any airline before booking a flight, but it’s especially important with low-cost carriers, like Spirit Airlines. Here’s a link to Spirit’s Carry-On page to make sure you have the most up-to-date information.
Good Luck!
More related articles…
- The Best Carry-On Bags for Regional and Small Jets
- How to Use Packing Cubes to Travel with Just A Carry-On
- 5 Tips to Travel with Just One Bag
- 5 Essential Things to Stay Organized While on The Road
- Spirit Airlines Delay and Cancellation Policy
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes. You can bring snacks on board a Spirit flight. They offer snacks and drinks for sale, but you will pay for them at a rate of $3-$15 each. Bringing a snack with you will ensure you get what you want and will save you some money as well.
Yes, as long as you adhere to the TSA Liquids requirements. Mini bottles of alcohol are allowed in carry-on bags but they must be able to comfortably fit into a single quart-sized bag.
Yes. But be careful. Spirit charges for carry-on bags, so make sure to tell them it is part of your clothing (i.e. a “wrap”) or you might get charged.
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