Does Spirit Airlines Compensate for Delayed Flights
- airconnectspirit
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read

Flight delays are not pleasant, but to avoid these situations or to handle these situations smartly, you must know Spirit Airlines flight delay compensation policy. Spirit Airlines usually compensates its passengers, primarily for specific types of delays, such as missed connections or long tarmac delays caused by the airline's fault. Therefore, let us examine how to verify eligibility and submit a claim.
What Causes the Delay?
Spirit divides delays into two basic categories:
Controllable Delays: These are situations under Spirit's control, such as maintenance challenges, manpower shortages, or operational mistakes.
Uncontrollable Delays: These include weather events, air traffic control restrictions, or other circumstances outside Spirit’s direct influence.
Your eligibility for compensation will depend heavily on which of these two categories your delay falls under.
Rebooking Options: The First Step
According to the Spirit Airlines delay compensation policy, if your flight is even more delayed (sometimes more than two hours), they will attempt, on their own, to get you rebooked on the next flight leaving with Spirit to the exact location from which you were initially planning to travel. It is:
Free of charge
Available within 7 days of the original travel date
Subject to seat availability
You also have the option to modify your itinerary to new flights with the exact origin and destination without incurring a change fee or fare difference.
Refunds: Can You Keep Your Money?
You may be entitled to Spirit flight delays compensation if they fail to place you on a different flight that works for you, or if the delay is so severe that it makes it impractical to proceed with your travel plans. This generally applies when:
Your flight is delayed by over 2 hours.
You decide not to travel at all,
No alternate flights meet your needs.
Refunds are usually processed back to your original form of payment or issued as a Reservation Credit.
Meals & Hotels: When Amenities Are Provided
If you find yourself stuck due to a preventable delay or cancellation that pushes the departure to the next day, Spirit will receive:
Meal vouchers (for delays exceeding 3 hours)
Hotel accommodation (if you're not from the area)
Facilities for Transportation (in case the hotel does not offer transportation to and from the hotel).
Note: Passengers receive Spirit flight delay compensation only when the delay is under their control. If your flight is delayed due to weather, Spirit won't pay for a meal or hotel stay, but will help you find alternative accommodations.
What Spirit Doesn’t Cover?
There are limitations to what Spirit Airlines will do, even during significant disruptions. Here’s what they typically do not reimburse. This is a list of types of damages that are excluded from the liability:
Non-Spirit flights on which you miss a connection
Your expenses (such as lost wages or prepaid event tickets)
Hotel bookings are only offered during delays or cancellations to outsiders, not to passengers from the same city.
How to Get Compensation for a Delayed Flight with Spirit?
Here is a step-by-step guide that every traveler must follow to request Spirit Airlines delay compensation:
If your flight is delayed: Monitor the delay by checking the status of your flight and noting the duration of the delay on their official website or through their app.
Check the Reason: Ask if a controllable or uncontrollable situation causes the delay.
Rebook, Refund, or Voucher: You can request Spirit Airlines flight delay compensation through their app, by using the Spirit Website Chat, or by speaking with an agent at the airport.
Keep Receipts: If you pay for hotel or meals, hold on to those receipts, as you may be entitled to reimbursement later.
Conclusion
Spirit Airlines allows compensation in cases where its fault caused the delay. You will greatly benefit by knowing your rights and acting on them promptly whenever you face flight delays. Sit back and relax; learn the rules, and you'll soon receive your delayed flight compensation.
Related Post: What is the cancellation policy for Spirit Airlines?
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