So you’re booking a flight. Do you go with what you know, the major airline, and hope you can crack the algorithm, or do you roll the dice on the notoriously rough discount airlines. You’ll get there for $50 or $60, but the delays and hidden costs will have you paying for it in the long term.
Spirit Airlines wants to change all that. Yes, Spirit Airlines — the makers of hilarious ads like this one, inspired by Rob Ford, and this one, inspired by Anthony Weiner. They’ve heard all of our collective jokes and want to turn our frowns upside down.
In a recent interview posted by The Consumerist, Chief Executive Bob Fornaro said reliability has been his top priority since he took the helm six months ago, and he’s admitted that service has been a serious issue. “Next year,” he said “we’re going to run a very reliable operation.” At least he’s realistic.
Though Spirit’s on-time rate increased to 73.8% in April, it’s still the worst showing in the U.S. airline industry. About 11% below the average, according to Department of Transportation statistics. It also canceled a higher percentage of its flights that month than any other airline, at 1.7%.
One of the stipulations of being a discount airline, however, means you have to find a balance. Apparently, being too on time is no good either and can get expensive for the little guys, it equates to more time for flights. Time is money in the small carrier game, money that Spirit can’t afford to spend. Fornaro predicts that by the end of 2016, 75 to 80% of Spirit’s flights should be on time, which will still be way below the performance of Southwest and United, but hey, you get what you pay for.
