Spirit Airlines Announces Cabin Enhancements

Spirit Airlines announced cabin enhancements a few hours ago, offering new, better, and wider seats.

Cabin upgrades

One of the United States’ largest ultra-low-cost carriers, Spirit Airlines, announced today that its aircraft would receive new seats. At the APEX EXPO 2022 event in Long Beach, California, Spirit unveiled its new Vector Light seats and the Vector Premium product for the Big Front Seats.

Photo: Spirit Airlines

The new seats are manufactured by HAECO Cabin Solutions. Spirit’s new Vector Light seats will be wider and feature more cushion, as well as additional features that the airline says will enhance the Guest experience.

Photo: Spirit Airlines

Spirit announced a new interior three years ago with more space at each seat, larger tray tables, and pre-recline on every row. Based on customer feedback, Spirit has continued to modify its cabins. The new interiors will be featured in aircraft delivered starting in January 2023. Next year, the airline anticipates 33 new aircraft deliveries.

Lania Rittenhouse, Spirit’s Vice President of Guest Experience, Brand, and Communications said,

“Our cabin refresh in 2019 was a significant enhancement in the Guest experience, and these new seats are another great step forward in increasing value for our Guests. We’re adding new features while, at the same time, continuing to provide More Go with our same ultra-low fares.”

The new seats will be half an inch wider than the current seats, utilizing new technology that allows the seat to fit closer to the aircraft wall. Wider seats are offered without taking away space from the aisle, and middle seats will continue to be wider than aisle and window seats.

According to Spirit, the new seats are also more fuel efficient, using 11 ounces less fuel per seat, due to new technologies.

Spirit Airlines pilot pathway

Earlier this week, Spirit announced that it would launch the Spirit Wings Pilot Pathway program which it intended to help build a consistent talent pipeline. The new program will help ensure the airline is appropriately staffed for years. The CAE fight school in Phoenix, Arizona, is partnering with Spirit in this new endeavor.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying.

Pilots wanting to become first officers are the primary target of the new pathway program. Students at CAE will be given an interview with Spirit once 500 flight hours are reached.

“This new program will ensure Spirit Airlines has a pipeline of qualified pilots as they expand their fleet and route network. CAE and Spirit Airlines share an unwavering commitment to safety, and the Spirit Wings Pilot Pathway will give cadets an immersive training experience that will equip them with the skills and confidence to begin a successful career flying with Spirit Airlines.” – Nick Leontidis, President, Civil Aviation CAE Group

Pilot pathway programs are becoming standard in the United States, with most major airlines offering a pathway program for aspiring pilots. Low-cost carriers have held an advantage over larger carriers. Because of lower hiring minimums, low-cost carriers can hire pilots with less difficulty than other airlines. But since regional airlines increased pilot pay, competition has stiffened for airlines like Spirit and Frontier Airlines.