New low-fare airline en route to Twin Cities, not in time for spring break

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In February, The Metropolitan Airport Commission announced that Spirit Airlines, a lower-cost carrier, will soon begin service in the Twin Cities. For those St. Thomas students who didn’t splurge on a spring break trip this year, the new airline, with its low fares, may be an attractive option next year.

Spirit Airlines will begin its service to the Twin Cities at the end of May but is already taking reservations for future travel. Some students staying close to home this spring break said they would definitely consider this new option for next year.

“Spring break is definitely a good time to make some money, since not many people want to work,” sophomore Ethan Meyer said.

But if the price was right, Meyer said he would likely take advantage of the opportunity.

Sophomore Elise Ottis traveled to California over J-Term this year, so she said she’s restricting her spring break spending.

“The majority of the money that you spend when you travel is usually flights and just getting to the destination,” Ottis said. “If I didn’t have to spend as much money as I did for my trip to California over J-Term, then I would definitely go on spring break somewhere if the price was reasonable.”

Some of the fares Spirit offers are as low as $9, but you have to be a member of the “low fare club” to access the prices, which will set you back about $60 a year.

Patrick Hogan, metropolitan airports commission public affairs and marketing director, said Spirit Airlines offers its low fares and then adds fees to those fares, letting the consumer decide what kinds of perks they want to include for their trip. The extra fees range from itinerary changes, carry-on bags and in-flight services.

Hogan said Spirit’s lower prices may encourage other airlines to lower their fares as well.

“An airline like Spirit tries to come in and say, ‘You know what? We’re not just competing with the other airlines that are here; we’re going to try to compete against other ways you could spend your money,’” Hogan said.

Kristopher Jobe can be reached at jobe1276@stthomas.edu.