July 11, 2003 -- As the nation swelters, airlines are beginning to look forward to the cool breezes of fall. Autumn tends to waft in lower airfares for everyone, and at the moment, scrappy little airline Spirit is offering some of the lowest.
If you've never flown Spirit, it's a small, safe, cheerful, privately-held airline that has been reviewed positively on our message boards.
The only major downside to flying with Spirit is that unlike with the majors, they can't put you on another airline if there's a mechanical problem with your plane -- you have to wait until another Spirit aircraft arrives to pick you up. Also, be aware that flights from New York and Atlantic City to Denver, Las Vegas and LA require a stop in Detroit.
Spirit's "Point, Click and Fly" sale is offering the lowest rates we could find for a slew of trips between August 19 and November 6. To get the best fares, book online at www.spiritair.com by July 17. (In some situations, major airlines offered nonstop flights for only $10-20 more, so make sure to check Orbitz, Expedia or Travelocity for comparisons).
Spiritual fares include (without tax, which can be anywhere from $12-40):
- NYC to/from Orlando or Fort Lauderdale: $124
- Atlantic City, NJ or Chicago to/from Florida: $128
- Detroit to/from Florida: $138
- Chicago to/from LA or Las Vegas: $148
- NYC to/from Denver or LA: $198
- Detroit to/from LA or Las Vegas: $198
- NYC to/from San Juan, PR: $228
These are terrific fares, so if you're planning a domestic getaway this fall, check out Spirit's offerings at www.spiritair.com and think about becoming an early bird.
