Spirit Airlines Pet Fees and Dog Transportation Costs – How Much Does It Cost to Fly with Your Dog on Spirit?

Everything You Need to Know About Flying With Your Dog on Spirit Airlines

If you’re like me and want to take your furry friend along on your next trip, sorting out the pet fees and policies for Spirit Airlines can seem kinda confusing. In this article, I’ll break down Spirit’s dog travel rules based on my own experiences flying with animals and help answer all those questions that probably popped into your head when Googling “Spirit Airlines dog prices.”

How Much Will It Cost to Bring My Pup?

The basic fee to bring a dog on a Spirit flight starts at $110 each way per dog. This covers pets that are either in-cabin in a carrier under the seat or in the cargo hold. But as with most budgets airlines, Spirit tacks on additional fees pretty much anywhere they can. From my experience, you’ll want to budget about $30-50 more than that baseline fee per leg of the journey once you factor in extras.

1. Pets must remain in an FAA-approved hard-sided carrier that fits completely under the seat. There’s a $110 fee each way if your doggo is small enough for cabin transport.
2. For larger dogs that have to fly in the cargo hold, the $110 fee still applies but you’ll also pay an oversized pet fee of $100 each way if your pup’s kennel exceeds 24″L x 16″W x 9″H.
3. At check-in, Spirit charges a $75 security fee per pet for dogs flown in the hold to cover things like a health certificate and rabies vaccine verification.
4. Reserving a specific seat next to your kennel placement in the hold has a $75 fee each way. Otherwise, seating is based on availability which could separate you from your pupgo.

So in summary, for a typical medium or large dog flying in the cargo area, expenses could easily top 0-300 roundtrip before taxes once you account for all those extras. Is that worth it for some quality bonding time with your four-legged friend? That’s a choice only you can make!

What Are Spirit’s Rules for Flying With Dogs?

Here are the main policies and guidelines to keep in mind based on my research:

1. Pets must be at least 8 weeks old. No exceptions for younger pups, sorry!
2. Only dogs and cats can fly as pets on Spirit. No other animals allowed unfortunately.
3. A non-refundable pre-paid fee is required at time of booking to reserve your pet’s spot. Spirit won’t hold space without payment upfront.
4. Max number is 5 pets per flight. So get there early if flying on a busy route during peak times!
5. Face masks must be worn by all pet owners at check-in, boarding, and in-flight for cabin pets. This seemed kinda weird to me, but I guess it’s pandemic rules.
6. Up-to-date vaccination and health records required. Make copies to bring just in case they ask for proof at the airport.
7. No overweight pets. The kennel + your pooch together cannot exceed 20 lbs for cabin pets or 100 lbs for cargo area flyers.

As you can see, Spirit has pretty strict policies. So it pays to do your homework and get all your paperwork in order before arriving at the airport with Fido. The last thing you want is a denied boarding because your pup isn’t properly documented, right? Better safe than sorry!

Tips and Tricks for Making Flying with Dogs Easier

Here are a few tips I’ve picked up over the years that may help smooth things over:

1. Book early flights when pets can be in the cabin. Less stress for pup and owner versus cargo hold placement.
2. Pack small bags of treats and your dog’s favorite toy or blanket in the kennel for comfort. A few favorite scents can work wonders to lower stress levels.
3. Consider calming supplements or CBD oil for nervous fliers if your vet approves. Just be sure to check-in any prohibited meds.
4. Bring pee pads and baggies in case of “accidents.” Clean any messes ASAP to minimize smells that may bother other passengers.
5. Print out all Spirit pet policies and bring them for reference at the airport. Having documentation on hand can make check-in a breeze.
6. Be flexible! Unexpected delays or changes could happen. As long as your pup is safe that’s all that really matters in the end.

With some extra planning and TLC for your four-legged friend, flying pets with Spirit need not be so stressful. And it’s totally worth it to keep Fido by your side on adventures, right? At least that’s how I see it!

A Real-Life Example of Flying Rover with Spirit

To give you a sense of what to expect, here’s roughly how my last Spirit flight went down:

I had reserved a cabin spot months in advance for Rover, my 40-pound mutt. Cost was around $225 each way after all the pet fees. At check-in, they verified his vaccination records and kennel dimensions. No issues there thankfully. Boarding was easy since Rover was calm in his carrier under the seat.

On the return flight, things got a bit dicey. Rover started barking nervously during descent. A few passengers glared at us. Whoops! I gave him treats and spoke softly to settle him down. Phew, crisis averted. We landed without further incident. But it was a good lesson that you never fully know how pets will react.

Overall, Spirit was pretty accommodating despite their no-frills reputation. Rover and I made it to and from our destination safely, which was the priority. Would I fly them again? Maybe, but I’d probably spring for a nonstop to cut down on stress next time. Hope this little story helped give you a feel for what to expect!

Final Thoughts on Flying Dogs with Spirit

Taking pets on planes definitely adds more moving parts to a trip. But for many people like myself, the companionship is worth it. If you do your research, plan in advance, and pack some extra patience, Spirit can work for dog travel – even if it means shelling out some hefty fees. Just go in with realistic expectations of their basic service and policies.

At the end of the day, as long as your fur baby is comfy and you both arrive safely at your destination, that’s the main goal, right? Spirit may lack frills but they’ll get the job done for pet parents on a budget. With a little TLC and flexibilty, hopefully your pup’s first plane ride will be a positive experience. Safe travels to you and your four-legged friend!

Spirit Airlines Dog Travel Fees

Dog Size	One Way Fee	Round Trip Fee
Less than 10 lbs	$125	$250
10-20 lbs	$125	$250
21-50 lbs	$150	$300
51-70 lbs	$200	$400
Over 70 lbs	Contact Spirit	Contact Spirit
Emotional Support/Service Dog	Free (with proper documentation)	Free (with proper documentation)

FAQ

1. How much does it cost to fly my dog with Spirit Airlines?

   Basically, Spirit charges a fee for each pet you bring on board. The charge is $100 each way for dogs traveling in the cabin. It’s worth noting that the fee applies per direction – so a roundtrip flight costs $200 total. You’ll need to reserve your dog’s seat when booking your tickets too.

2. Are there size and weight limits for dogs on Spirit?

   For sure. Spirit only allows dogs traveling in-cabin to be 20 pounds or less. The carrier must fit completely under the seat in front of you too. It basically can’t take up leg room for other passengers. What’s more, many dog breeds can grow larger than 20 pounds as adults. So you might have to leave Sparky behind if he’s too big by the time your flight comes up.

   

3. What documents do I need for my dog’s flight?

   To bring Fido onboard, Spirit requires a few key things. You’ll obviously need his ticket. Besides that, you must provide proof of current rabies vaccination. A health certificate from a vet saying he’s fit to travel could help too. Spirit policies say the paperwork must be from within one year of your travel dates. Honestly, it may seem like a lot of hassle, but better safe than sorry when it comes to flying pets!

4. Can I buy my dog food or water on the plane?

   On the other hand, while Spirit allows dogs in-cabin, they don’t provide any amenities for pets. The airline strictly prohibits passengers from feeding or giving water to dogs during flights. Basically, you need to make sure your pup is taken care of beforehand. Plan to bring his own food, water, toys, and anything else he may need. It’s also a good idea to check if the flight is long enough that he may get hungry halfway.

Are emotional support animals allowed on Spirit flights?

Surprisingly, Spirit has some limitations on emotional support animals compared to pets. Specifically, ESAs must weigh 20 pounds or less, just like regular pup passengers. Additionally, you’ll need official documentation from a mental health professional stating your need for the ESA’s support. It’s also important to note that while ESAs have more travel privileges than pets in general, airlines like Spirit have the legal right to refuse them as well if they seem unruly or disruptive. Overall it’s best to check policies carefully and plan ahead.

What if my dog acts up on the flight?

Now boarding with pets does carry some risks, as dogs don’t always behave perfectly – especially in new environments. If Sparky starts barking excessively or has an accident in his carrier, flight attendants may require that you deplane with him. At that point, you wouldn’t get refunds for the dog ticket or your own. So it’s essential to take some time getting your pup accustomed to flying before the big day. Training and exercise can help tire him out too. But will it be enough? There’s no guarantee your pooch won’t get anxious at 30,000 feet.

What should I do if I have other questions?

If you still have additional questions about Spirit’s pet policies after reviewing this FAQ, the best thing is to contact their customer service team directly. You can find their phone number and live chat options on the airline’s website. The reps should be able to provide specific details about things like size limits, fees, travel documents, and any other rules that may apply to Fido’s flight. Just be prepared for potentially longer hold times, as customer support lines tend to be busy. It’s always better safe than sorry when packing your pet as carry-on!