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Spirit Airlines launches service from Twin Cities
The Associated Press
Posted: 02/29/2012 10:20:19 AM CST
Updated: 02/29/2012 03:26:03 PM CST
MINNEAPOLIS—Discount carrier Spirit Airlines Inc. said Wednesday it will begin service from the Twin Cities to Chicago and Las Vegas in May. Spirit, based in Miramar, Fla., said it will fly out of Terminal 2, the Humphrey terminal, at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Starting May 31, the airline said it plans to offer three daily nonstop flights from the Twin Cities airport to Chicago O'Hare Airport and one daily nonstop to Las Vegas.
Spirit bills itself as an "ultra low-cost carrier." The airline charges low base fees and then extra fees for such typically free services as carry-on bags, advance seat selection and snacks. To hold down base prices, Spirit charges $28 for carry-on luggage, defined as anything that fits into an overhead compartment, the Star Tribune reported.
"We look at every penny," Spirit spokeswoman Misty Pinson said at a news conference Wednesday at Terminal 2. "We look at everything that does not affect the safety."
Metropolitan Airports Commission spokesman Patrick Hogan said airport officials have been talking with Spirit for several years about entering the Twin Cities market.
"It always takes a while to court these airlines, but we've been pretty successful," Hogan said. He said Spirit is the fourth airline since 2008 to begin service to the Twin Cities, Minnesota Public Radio News reported.
Airport officials have tried to increase competition at the Twin Cities airport, which has been criticized
for having some of the highest fares in the nation, the Star Tribune reported. Metropolitan Airports Commission Executive Director Jeffrey Hamiel said Wednesday that the Twin Cities airport is still trying to get discount carrier JetBlue to fly there. Spirit said it hopes to compete with Delta Air Lines and other carriers by offering low base ticket prices, plus fees for the services travelers choose.
"We're all about choice," Pinson said.
Pinson declined to say if Spirit is planning to expand routes from the Twin Cities beyond Chicago and Las Vegas, the Star Tribune reported. But she added, "We're always looking."
As part of its service rollout to the Twin Cities, Spirit plans to offer $9 base fares in June that will total $28.79 with fees and taxes.
The Associated Press
Posted: 02/29/2012 10:20:19 AM CST
Updated: 02/29/2012 03:26:03 PM CST
MINNEAPOLIS—Discount carrier Spirit Airlines Inc. said Wednesday it will begin service from the Twin Cities to Chicago and Las Vegas in May. Spirit, based in Miramar, Fla., said it will fly out of Terminal 2, the Humphrey terminal, at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Starting May 31, the airline said it plans to offer three daily nonstop flights from the Twin Cities airport to Chicago O'Hare Airport and one daily nonstop to Las Vegas.
Spirit bills itself as an "ultra low-cost carrier." The airline charges low base fees and then extra fees for such typically free services as carry-on bags, advance seat selection and snacks. To hold down base prices, Spirit charges $28 for carry-on luggage, defined as anything that fits into an overhead compartment, the Star Tribune reported.
"We look at every penny," Spirit spokeswoman Misty Pinson said at a news conference Wednesday at Terminal 2. "We look at everything that does not affect the safety."
Metropolitan Airports Commission spokesman Patrick Hogan said airport officials have been talking with Spirit for several years about entering the Twin Cities market.
"It always takes a while to court these airlines, but we've been pretty successful," Hogan said. He said Spirit is the fourth airline since 2008 to begin service to the Twin Cities, Minnesota Public Radio News reported.
Airport officials have tried to increase competition at the Twin Cities airport, which has been criticized
for having some of the highest fares in the nation, the Star Tribune reported. Metropolitan Airports Commission Executive Director Jeffrey Hamiel said Wednesday that the Twin Cities airport is still trying to get discount carrier JetBlue to fly there. Spirit said it hopes to compete with Delta Air Lines and other carriers by offering low base ticket prices, plus fees for the services travelers choose.
"We're all about choice," Pinson said.
Pinson declined to say if Spirit is planning to expand routes from the Twin Cities beyond Chicago and Las Vegas, the Star Tribune reported. But she added, "We're always looking."
As part of its service rollout to the Twin Cities, Spirit plans to offer $9 base fares in June that will total $28.79 with fees and taxes.