Spirit Bag Size Limits and Rules
Spirit Airlines baggage fees include checked and carry-on luggage charges, which often surprises travelers used to free carry-on bags. Here we’ll explain the Spirit Airlines baggage policy, including baggage fees, carry-on size restrictions, and checked bag weight restrictions.
Spirit Baggage Fees
You can check one standard-sized bag for free if you have Free Spirit Gold status. Otherwise, Spirit charges a fee for all carry-on and checked luggage, except for a free personal item. The price you pay varies depending on whether you pay Spirit baggage fees during online check-in or at the airport, with online check-in offering the best deals:
| Luggage Type | Online Check-in Price (Standard Fare) |
Price at Airport |
|---|---|---|
|
Carry-on Bag |
$41 | $55 |
|
1st Checked Bag |
$36 | $50 |
|
2nd Checked Bag |
$46 | $60 |
|
3rd Checked Bag |
$91 | $100 |
Standard Spirit checked bag weight is 40 lbs or less. Overweight checked bags are subject to the following additional fees:
- 41-50 lbs: + $79
- 51-100 lbs: + $99
Spirit charges the following for oversized bags:
- 63-80 linear inches: + $100
- 80+ linear inches: + $150
Online “Boost It” and “Bundle It” packages reduce the overall cost of Spirit Airlines baggage fees and are advisable when checking multiple overweight or oversized bags.
Spirit's Checked Bag Policy
Spirit Airlines baggage fees help keep ticket prices low. The standard Spirit checked bag weight is 40 lbs, with dimensions of 63 linear inches or less, including handles, straps, and wheels. The airline waives baggage fees for active military personnel:
Military Bag Policy
Spirit Airlines' military baggage allowance provides active-duty military personnel two free standard-size checked bags, a free carry-on, and their free personal item.
Carry-on Bags
As noted above, Spirit charges for carry-on luggage. In addition, bags that do not meet Spirit Airlines’ carry-on size and weight restrictions will be checked at the gate. Spirit baggage fees apply to any carry-on bags checked at the gate, which can get pricey if your carry-on counts as a second or third checked bag.
Spirit Airlines Carry-on Bag Size
The maximum Spirit Airlines carry-on size is 22 x 18 x 10 inches, including handles and wheels. Spirit checks oddly sized carry-on bags at the gate, so stick to carry-on luggage that matches these dimensions.
Spirit Carry-On Weight Limit
Spirit takes carry-on weight into account as well as size. Any carry-on bag weighing more than 40 lbs will be checked at the gate.
Personal Items and Spirit
Spirit allows passengers one free personal item, such as a purse, laptop bag, or small backpack. Your personal item must be small enough to store under the seat in front of you. Spirit requires personal items not to exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches, including handles and wheels. Personal items larger than these dimensions will be checked at the gate. The airline does not have a set weight for personal items, but it’s fair to assume gate agents will ask you to check any item weighing more than 40 lbs.
Related: Explore our backpacks for air travel or commuting.
In addition to a personal item you can bring umbrellas, cameras, infant diaper bags, medically necessary devices, and outer garments on board. You can also bring books, food, and one duty-free bag or box containing duty-free items at no charge. Spirit allows passengers to carry neck and head pillows on board as long as the pillow fits entirely in your personal item bag.
Infants and Spirit's Carry-On Policy
Spirit Airlines recommends all passengers traveling with infants under two years of age purchase a separate seat for the child and secure the child in an FAA-approved car seat. However, you can opt to travel with your infant on your lap. If you choose this option, you can carry a diaper bag free of charge in addition to your normal carry-on allowance, and can check in car seats and strollers for free at the gate.
Infants traveling in their own seats pay adult fares, and are allowed the same checked baggage allowance as an adult. In addition, you can carry on one diaper bag free of charge, and check car seats and strollers for free at the gate.
Medical Assistive Devices
Medically assistive devices do not count towards your carry-on baggage allowance. Pack assistive devices in their own bags. The bag can only contain the medical device. Spirit agents will inspect assistive device bags at the gate to confirm they contain only the medical devices. If the bag contains anything else, it counts toward your baggage allowance.
To be safely stowed in the plane cabin a medical assistive bag must not exceed 39 x 26 x 11 inches. Larger devices will be checked at no cost. Common examples of medically assistive devices include foldable walkers, knee scooters, canes and crutches, CPAP machines, and FAA-approved portable oxygen concentrators.
Spirit will store a maximum of two manual folding wheelchairs in the cabin. Inform the gate agent if you need this service, and do so as early as possible: the service operates on a first-come-first-served basis. Otherwise, folding manual wheelchairs will be checked at no charge. Spirit will check-in battery-operated wheelchairs for free.
Service Animals
Spirit allows trained service dogs to travel free, with a maximum of two dogs in the cabin per flight. Service animals other than dogs, emotional support or comfort animals, therapy animals, and service dogs in training do not meet Spirit’s definition of a trained service animal but may be eligible to travel under the airline’s pet policy.
Due to increased use of fake service dog vests, Spirit requires more proof than service animal harnesses, ID cards, registration, or vests as indications a dog is a trained service animal. Complete the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Service Animal Air Transportation form 48 hours before your flight. Submit completed forms to the Spirit online customer service site.
In the case of disabilities which are not clearly visible, Spirit may ask questions to determine if a dog meets the DOT’s criteria as a service animal.
Choosing a Carry-On Bag for Spirit
As you may have noticed, Spirit Airlines’ carry-on size restrictions are smaller than many airlines. Standard-sized 21 and 22 inch carry-on bags must be checked at the departure gate. Below are five carry-on bags that meet Spirit Airlines’ carry-on size dimensions:
The Platinum® Elite Women's Backpack
The Platinum® Elite Women's Backpack has 14.5 x 10.75 x 6.0-inch outer dimensions, meeting Spirit’s carry-on and personal item size restrictions. This lightweight backpack includes padded sleeves for laptops with up to 14-inch screens and multiple exterior pockets for travel documents and other grab-and-go essentials.
The Platinum® Elite International Carry-On Expandable Spinner
The Platinum® Elite International Carry-On Expandable Spinner meets the carry-on requirements for most international airlines, with outer dimensions of 21.75 x 15.75 x 7.75 inches. Stain-resistant fabric, genuine leather, and chrome zippers give this premium performance bag its elegant appearance, while a built-in USB port and battery pocket lets you power your devices with an FAA-approved power bank pocket (not included).
The Maxlite® 5 International Carry-On Expandable Spinner
The Maxlite® 5 International Carry-On Expandable Spinner is sizer-bin tested, with exterior measurements of 21.75 x 15.75 x 7.75 inches. A lightweight but sturdy Powerscope Lite handle locks into two positions, while four spinner wheels provide an effortless 360° roll. Two exterior compartments, a side accessory pocket, and adjustable hold-down straps help keep contents organized.
The Crew™ VersaPack™ Rolling UnderSeat Carry-On
The Crew™ VersaPack™ Rolling UnderSeat Carry-On features water-resistant compartments, organizational pockets, padded laptop sleeves, and a removable hanging personal organizer, all within a compact bag that measures 16 x 13.25 x 8.25 inches. Exterior pockets store items for quick access as you travel, while a power bank pocket and external USB port help keep your devices charged (FAA-compliant power bank not included).
Maxlite® 5 Carry-On Rolling Underseat Bag
With 17.5 x 14.5 x 8.5-inch outer measurements, the Maxlite® 5 Carry-On Rolling Underseat Bag meets Spirit Airlines carry-on size requirements. This roomy bag includes a padded laptop sleeve, a removable plastic compartment, and quick-access external pockets. A lightweight PowerScope Lite handle and ball-bearing wheels ensure smooth movement when navigating airports.
Spirit Airlines' baggage policy is easy to follow if you pay attention to luggage size and weight restrictions. If you need help determining what type of bags you need, check out the Travelpro Luggage Finder Quiz, or explore other airline policies with our informative airline guides.
