Spirit Airlines Car Seat Policy
If you’re travelling with infants or small children below 2 years of age, the Spirit Airlines car seat policy recommends that you purchase a seat and secure your child in a car seat/car restraint system that is FAA-approved, foreign government-approved, or complies with U.N. standards. However, you have the option of carrying a lap infant (older than 7 days and below 2 years) in your lap free of charge.
Children who have reached their second birthday must travel on a paid seat and an approved Spirit Airlines car seat.
Highlights of Spirit Airlines Car Seat Policy and Car Seat Rules
Below are the major highlights of Spirit’s car seat policy/car seat rules:
- Spirit Airlines allows 1 car seat per child passenger free of charge (it will not be considered a part of your baggage allowance). However, you must pay for the passenger seat.
- You can check in (at no additional charge) your child’s car seat as checked baggage, or carry it on board if you’ve purchased a seat for your child—limited to 1 car seat per child.
- Infants who are at least 7 days old and less than 24 months can travel on a paid separate seat, as long as they use an approved Spirit Airlines car seat, i.e., an FAA-approved car seat/child restraint system that meets the following guidelines:
- Car seats manufactured prior to Feb. 26, 1985, must be labeled as follows:
This child restraint system conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards. - Car seats manufactured after Feb. 25, 1985, must bear the following 2 labels:
- This child restraint system conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.
and - This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.
- This child restraint system conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.
- Car seats manufactured prior to Feb. 26, 1985, must be labeled as follows:
The above labels must appear on an approved car seat on Spirit Airlines
According to Spirit Airlines car seat rules:
- The following car seats are also acceptable on Spirit Airlines:
- Foreign government-approved car seats
- Car seats that comply with the United Nations standards
- CARES Child Aviation Restraint Systems
- Car Seat Seating Restrictions. The use of car seats is prohibited in:
- Exit row seats, or the rows in front of or behind an exit row.
- Seats equipped with inflatable seatbelts.
Seat Size Restrictions—Car Seats on Spirit Airlines
Some car seats, even if FAA-approved, may be too large for Spirit’s aircraft seats. Refer to Spirit Airlines car seat widths below and make sure your child’s car seat does not exceed the seat dimensions. If your car seat on Spirit Airlines exceeds the seat dimensions, Spirit will either offer a suitable seat on the aircraft or issue a penalty-free refund if it isn’t available.
| Car Seats that Fit on Spirit Airlines | |||
| Aircraft | Seat Width | Inflatable Seatbelt Rows Not Permitted | |
| Big Front Seat | Deluxe Leather Seat | ||
| A321 (32B) | 22in | Widest 17in Narrowest 15.5in | 1 and 3 |
| A320 (32A, 32N) | 22.8in | Widest 16in Narrowest 15in | 1, 3, 12, and 13 |
| A319 | 22in | Widest 17in Narrowest 15.5in | 1, 4, and 5 (D, E, F) |
| Note – Rear-facing child restraint systems exceeding 25in in height may not be permitted due to size limitations. – Collapsible cribs, pack ‘n’ plays, and other products similar to them are not treated as transportation equipment and cannot be gate-checked, which means you’ll have to check them as part of your checked baggage allowance. | |||
Spirit Airlines Stroller Policy
- If you’re travelling with an infant/child, you’re allowed to check in (free of charge) 1 stroller per infant/child in addition to 1 car seat on Spirit Airlines. Both items will not be included in your baggage allowance.
- If your compact stroller is within the permissible carry-on dimensions (22in x by 18in x 10in/ 56cm x 46cm x 25cm including wheels and handles), Spirit may accept it as a carry-on item, provided it is collapsed before boarding, not used onboard, and stowed in the overhead compartment with its wheels up. Otherwise, it must be checked (free of charge).
Travelling Tips
- If you’re checking in a stroller or a car seat, be sure to have a stroller bag or car seat bag to protect them from damage.
- If you’ve purchased a seat for your child, they can travel in their car seat on the plane.
- If you’re not happy with your seat assignment, be sure to reach the airport early, Spirit check in for your flight, proceed to the gate, and speak with the gate agent. If a seat is available, the gate agent should be able to help.
- Pack smartly so that you don’t have to pay extra baggage fees.
Frequently Asked Questions on Spirit Airlines Car Seat Policy
If you’re planning to travel with a car seat on Spirit Airlines, do go through some of the most frequently asked questions on Spirit Airlines’ car seat policy.
Yes, Spirit Airlines allows one FAA-approved baby car seat/child car seat per child free of charge in addition to a stroller.
Yes, you can carry a baby car seat on Spirit Airlines as long as it is FAA-approved.
Spirit Airlines allows you to bring 1 approved car seat and 1 stroller per child free of charge. If you’re travelling with 2 children, you can bring a double stroller and check it in at the gate.
No, Spirit Airlines does not charge for car seats, as long as it’s limited to 1 car seat per seat-occupying child passenger.
Yes, you can bring an approved car seat plus a stroller per child at no extra charge on Spirit.
Yes, you can bring 1 FAA-approved car seat or Child Harness Device (CARES) and 1 stroller per child at no additional charge. If you’re flying with 2 children, you can check a double stroller for free.
To bring a car seat/child harness onboard, you must have purchased a separate seat for your child. If the car seat is too big for a regular seat, Spirit will try to reseat you (except on a Big Front Seat).
Your child’s car seat on Spirit Airlines will need to be on the narrow side to fit into a regular seat. Some FAA-approved car seats may be too large to fit into normal seats. To create extra space, you may need to raise the armrest of your seat. For details on seat size, refer to the chart above, titled Seat Size Restrictions—Car Seats on Spirit Airlines.
You should bring a car seat bag on Spirit Airlines only if you’re planning to check it at the ticket counter or boarding gate. This will protect it from damage. If you’ve purchased a seat for your child and your child will be using the car seat, then a car seat bag may not be required.
Yes, you can check in your child’s car seat and car stroller at the check-in counter or gate at no extra charge, as they are not considered a part of Spirit Airlines baggage allowance. You’re also allowed to bring the car seat on board for your child’s use if you’ve purchased a ticket for your child. You can also carry on your child’s stroller onboard the aircraft if it does not exceed 22in x 18in x 10in (including wheels and handles).
Absolutely, you should! You’re not only allowed to bring a car seat/harness device on board for your child but also strongly encouraged to use it. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly recommend its use by infants and small children.
You can check in the car seat base at the gate, or with the rest of your luggage, or carry it on and stow it in the overhead bin (if it fits).
Yes, you can—and at no additional charge if you’re travelling with a child. You can also check it in at the baggage counter (for free) with the rest of your luggage. If you gate-check your car seat, you must retrieve it from the gate agent after you arrive.
Use a duffel bag, a car seat cover, or a heavy plastic bag to protect your car seat from damage and dirt.
Before travelling on Spirit, you should find out the seat size of the aircraft you’ll be flying on as the regular seats are quite narrow. This will ensure that your child’s car seat fits into the aircraft seat and prevent any chances of a last-minute reallotment of seats.
The important thing to know is that:
1. Deluxe Leather Seats measure 15in in width at their narrowest and 17in at their widest
2. Big Front Seats measure 22in at their narrowest and 22.8in at their widest.
3. There’s a 25in height restriction due to limited front-to-back space.
Spirit Airlines car seat fee is nil if you’re travelling with a child and using an approved car seat.
Yes, you can check in a car seat on Spirit Airlines, but it is highly recommended that you book a seat and use the car seat for your child.
Spirit Airlines’ car seat and stroller policy permits you to bring one of each (car seat stroller) free of charge if you’re travelling with a child, as long as both the devices are FAA-approved, government-approved, or comply with United Nations standards.
Spirit Airlines car seat requirements for children travelling alone are as follows:
1. The car seat must be approved by the FAA or a foreign government, or must comply with U.N.
2. If the car seat was manufactured before Feb. 26, 1985, it should bear the following label:
3. This child restraint system conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards. standards.
4. If the car seat was manufactured after Feb. 25, 1985, it should bear these 2 labels:
a. This child restraint system conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards. and
b. This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.
5. Car seats cannot be used in seats in exit rows, the rows behind or in front of exit rows, and any seat equipped with an inflatable seatbelt
Latest Pages
Leave a Reply