Spirit Airlines has officially launched its new premium economy seating across its fleet, marking a significant upgrade for the budget carrier as it continues its post-bankruptcy transformation.

Premium Economy Seats Now Flying

As of July 9, 2025, 115 Spirit aircraft have been retrofitted with new premium economy seats featuring 4 additional inches of legroom compared to standard economy. Located in the first 7 rows of each aircraft, these enhanced seats offer 42 premium options per plane.

The airline accomplished this initial retrofit phase in an impressive 22 days for 115 aircraft, suggesting the remaining fleet conversion will proceed rapidly. Spirit plans to complete the entire fleet upgrade by 2026.

"We're adding extra-legroom Premium Seats to give more travelers the opportunity to enjoy a premium experience with extra space at a great value," said Rana Ghosh, Chief Commercial Officer at Spirit Airlines.

What You Get with Premium Economy

Each premium economy seat provides:

• 4 additional inches of legroom (32-inch pitch vs. 28-inch standard)
• Premium boarding ahead of standard economy passengers
• Prime location in rows 1-7 for easier boarding and deplaning
• Same affordable Spirit pricing with modest upgrade fees

For travelers who have experienced discomfort on budget airlines, this represents a meaningful improvement while maintaining Spirit's cost advantage over legacy carriers.

Limited-Time Launch Promotion

To celebrate the premium economy debut, Spirit is offering Free Spirit loyalty members bonus points:

• 1,500 bonus points for round-trip premium economy bookings
• 750 bonus points for one-way premium economy tickets

Tickets must be booked by August 8, 2025, with travel completed by December 31, 2025. Points are automatically credited within 7-10 business days after flight completion.

How This Changes Budget Travel

This upgrade positions Spirit competitively among America's cheapest airlines while addressing passenger comfort concerns. The premium economy option creates a middle ground between ultra-basic and full-service carrier pricing, potentially costing 30-50% less than comparable seats on traditional airlines.

For travelers using flight search tools to find the best deals, Spirit's enhanced comfort options make budget flying more appealing, especially on longer routes where extra legroom makes a significant difference.

Booking Your Premium Economy Seat

Premium economy seats are available during booking or as upgrades through Spirit's website and mobile app. Pricing typically ranges from $25-75 per segment depending on route length and demand.

Pro Tips for Booking:

• Select premium seats during initial booking for best availability
• Use flight comparison sites to compare Spirit's total cost against legacy carriers
• Check Spirit's mobile app for last-minute upgrade opportunities
• Consider the upgrade cost versus traditional airline pricing for your specific route

What's Next for Spirit

These comfort improvements are part of Spirit's broader strategy following its successful bankruptcy emergence. The airline is also upgrading Wi-Fi speeds, expanding food options, and enhancing its mobile app experience.

For frequent flyers concerned about airport logistics, Spirit's operational improvements complement the physical comfort upgrades, creating a more complete travel experience.

International travelers can also enhance their Spirit experience with services like international data plans to stay connected without roaming charges.

The Bottom Line

Spirit's premium economy launch represents a significant step forward for budget air travel. With 4,830 enhanced seats already available and rapid fleet conversion continuing, travelers can immediately access improved comfort without abandoning the affordability that makes Spirit attractive.

As the retrofit program expands through 2026, these upgrades position Spirit as a more compelling option for travelers who want extra comfort without premium airline pricing. The combination of enhanced legroom, bonus point opportunities, and Spirit's expanding route network creates new possibilities for affordable travel.

For more details about Spirit's premium economy features and booking options, visit Spirit's official information page.

Ready to try Spirit's new premium economy? Start your search for deals and compare options to find the best value for your next trip.