Flight Check

Spirit Airlines Complaints & DOT Data (2024)

4,480 complaints filed with the DOT in 2024.

Complaint Rate

12.9/100K

Total Complaints

4,480

Rank

#5 of 27

Top Issue

Flight Problems

Spirit Airlines has long struggled with operational reliability. At 12.9 per 100,000, flight problems dominate the complaint picture — frequent cancellations and schedule changes frustrate passengers who chose Spirit for affordability and got unreliability instead.

vs. Industry Average

Spirit Airlines12.9/100K
Industry Average8.2/100K

Spirit Airlines is 57% above the industry average.

Monthly Complaint Rate (2024)

11.9
Jan
11.9
Feb
11.9
Mar
11.9
Apr
11.9
May
14.3
Jun
14.3
Jul
14.3
Aug
11.9
Sep
11.9
Oct
14.3
Nov
14.3
Dec

Complaints per 100K passengers by month. Red bars exceed industry average (8.2).

What People Complain About

Flight Problems83%
Refunds17%

How to File a Complaint Against Spirit Airlines

  1. Document everything — save confirmation emails, receipts, and screenshots.
  2. Contact Spirit Airlines directly first. Give them a chance to resolve it.
  3. If unsatisfied, file with the DOT at airconsumer.dot.gov.
  4. Use the Disruption Desk to understand what you are owed.
Disruption DeskCompensation Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints did Spirit Airlines get in 2024?

Spirit Airlines received 4,480 DOT complaints in 2024, at a rate of 12.9 per 100,000 passengers. This ranks them #5 out of 27 airlines tracked.

What do people complain about most with Spirit Airlines?

The most common complaint category for Spirit Airlines is flight problems. Cancellations, significant delays, diversions, and missed connections. This is the most common complaint category overall. New DOT rules require automatic refunds for cancelled flights and significant delays.

How do I file a complaint against Spirit Airlines?

You can file a complaint against Spirit Airlines with the DOT at airconsumer.dot.gov, or use Flight Check's Disruption Desk to understand your rights and generate a complaint letter. Check what you're owed with the Compensation Calculator. Every DOT complaint is forwarded to Spirit Airlines's executive consumer affairs team.

Is Spirit Airlines complaint rate above or below average?

Spirit Airlines's complaint rate of 12.9 per 100K is 57% above the industry average of 8.2 per 100K. They rank #5 out of 27 airlines. See the full airline complaint rankings.

Compare Other Airlines

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Source: DOT Air Travel Consumer Report, January–December 2024.