FORT LAUDERDALE BASED SPIRIT AIR TO CARTAGENA STARTING THIS PRIMAVERA!

This upcoming route is posted on their web-page and I even saw their check in counter with unlit signs upon my departure last Monday.

As a member of their $9 fare club hope to pick up a cheapie flight when they introduce this service. Let's hope it goes thru good!

By nine inch nails on Feb 27, 2008, 13:13 in Friendly Talkzone.

sloopskipper says on Feb 27, 2008, 13:19:

You had better do a google search on customer complaints or problems before you fly with these folks. Some pretty ugly stories.

Simon says on Feb 27, 2008, 13:30:

Way to go Spirit!!

"You want to talk to God? Let's go see him together, I've got nothing better to do."---Indiana Jones (Raiders of the Lost Ark)

nine inch nails says on Feb 27, 2008, 17:42:

Yes, you have to come prepared with them (they have some quirky rules on baggage etc.) and be prepared for problems/delays but I have heard just as many good things as bad on them. Think the biggest "bad" I heard about Spirit was someone who flew FLL-Atlanta to see a concert but Spirit cancelled the flight and they missed their show that night. I would give 24 hr. flex on each end if you have the time but the ticket cost savings may not be worth it.

One of the pluses I see to them is a newer fleet of planes and less chance for a mechanical problem there. I hear on a Costa Rica blog where all the time people are delayed by AA due to one problem or the other but here on this route Avianca which I was really impressed with their service.

I had a minor issue with Spirit but nothing that would stop me from flying them yet....

"Bank owned" (www.foreclosurebyowner.com)

arfgoblue says on Feb 28, 2008, 07:34:

NIN...do let us know if the route hits the $9 fare club. what is the firm start date? cheers!

arfgoblue says on Feb 28, 2008, 07:45:

double-checked...and it is not possible to book the travel yet online, nor has there been any announcement apart from the december press release, so i think althrough they are moving towards service (which should be a forgone conclusion under the "open skies" agreement for Cartagena), it may be summerish when finally get it all started. but let us know if the route hits the $9 fare club, which it should to encourage the new route.

toneloc24 says on Feb 28, 2008, 09:18:

Nothing's been finalized by the DOT regarding applications by US airlines to Colombian cities in months. Spirit's in the same boat as Jet Blue, US Air, Continental, and Delta. We should hear something soon, either way, but you can't schedule what you really don't have yet.

FYI - I wouldn't put my hopes up on Spirit as a main option to get to Colombia. Sometimes it's just best to pay the money.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

RAAAY says on Feb 28, 2008, 14:13:

Nine Inch........are you sure the check in desk you saw was not for Columbia..??

SPIRIT

Announcing New Service

To Long Island-Islip & Columbia,

Spirit Airlines announces non-stop service between Fort Lauderdale and its two new markets - Long Island-Islip and Columbia, South Carolina

.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

tasco66 says on Feb 28, 2008, 18:20:

Spirit Airlines Plans Service to Cartagena, Colombia

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS225055 03-Dec-2007 BW20071203

Veni, vidi, vici

arfgoblue says on Feb 28, 2008, 18:34:

Cartagena (CTG) is part of the "Open Skies" initiative, so there is no bilateral nogotiations of landing right, unlike what you are describing with other airlines. It is true that Spirit is applying for landing rights in other cities that are not part of Open Skies, and there they are competing against other airlines to recieve unused AA slots.