No. Spirit includes one free under‑seat personal item; standard carry‑on bags cost extra unless you buy Spirit First, Premium Economy, or have Gold status.
Short answer first: a full-size carry-on isn’t free on Spirit Airlines. Every ticket includes one small personal item that fits under the seat. Anything larger counts as a paid carry-on for the overhead bin. Spirit also sells fares that bundle a carry-on, and elite members and active-duty military get extra bags.
Are Carry Ons Free On Spirit Airlines? The Short Answer & The Catch
Spirit’s baseline “Value” option keeps fares low by unbundling extras. You still get one personal item free of charge, but overhead-bin space isn’t included. A standard carry-on becomes a paid add-on during booking, later online, or at the airport.
Two ticket types change that. “Premium Economy” includes one carry-on. “Spirit First” goes further with a carry-on plus a first checked bag. If you fly a lot, Free Spirit Gold members receive a complimentary carry-on on any ticket. Active-duty U.S. military also get a free carry-on in addition to other bag perks.
| Travel Option | Carry-On Included? | Other Bag Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Value (basic) | No; personal item only | Buy carry-on or checked bags as needed |
| Premium Economy | Yes, one carry-on | Reserved bin space; Priority Boarding |
| Spirit First | Yes, one carry-on | First checked bag included |
Spirit Carry-On Bag Size & Personal Item Rules
Spirit publishes strict size limits. Gate agents use metal sizers, and the handles and wheels count toward the measurement. If a bag won’t fit, it gets checked for a fee.
Personal Item: 18 × 14 × 8 Inches Max
Your free item must slide under the seat in front of you. Think a compact backpack, laptop bag, or purse. Many travelers pick soft-sided “underseat” duffels built to the 18 × 14 × 8 profile, which can flex a little when the aircraft floor rails narrow.
Carry-On: 22 × 18 × 10 Inches Max
This is the overhead-bin bag. Hard-shell cases that meet 22 × 18 × 10 are fine. Soft bags help if you need a touch of give while placing the bag wheels-first into the bin. Spirit doesn’t set a strict weight limit on carry-ons, but you must be able to lift it yourself.
What Counts As A “Personal Item” On Spirit
Examples include a slim backpack, briefcase, or tote that stays within 18 × 14 × 8 inches. A second purse, a camera bag that exceeds the box, or a shopping bag stuffed beyond the limit will be treated as a carry-on. Baby items and mobility devices follow separate rules and often travel free; check the airline’s assistance pages before you fly.
Is A Carry On Free On Spirit With Status, Military, Or Cards?
Yes for specific travelers. Free Spirit Gold members get one free carry-on on every trip they take, whatever ticket they bought. Active-duty U.S. military service members receive a free carry-on plus two checked bags; spouses and children on the same booking get matching checked-bag benefits. Saver$ Club members don’t get a free carry-on, but they do see discounted bag prices online.
What Does A Spirit Carry-On Cost?
Bag fees move with the route, date, and when you pay. The general pattern holds: lowest during the initial booking flow, higher if you add the bag later online, higher still at the airport, and highest at the gate. Buying early also helps you snag overhead space near your seat.
| When You Add It | Typical Price Behavior | Why It Helps Or Hurts |
|---|---|---|
| During booking | Usually the lowest | Best chance to pick seats and secure bin space together |
| Before online check-in | Often higher | Convenient if plans firmed up after purchase |
| At the airport | Higher again | Longer lines; fewer seat and bin choices |
| At the gate | Highest | Risk of delays and limited overhead room |
How To Fly Spirit With No Carry-On Fee
The trick is packing into that free under‑seat space. A slim 18 × 14 × 8 bag, compression cubes, and a tight outfit plan go a long way. Wear your bulkiest layer, stash cords and chargers in interior pockets, and keep toiletries small to breeze through security.
Pick The Right Under‑Seat Bag
Look for a soft shell with a flat base so it slides fully into the under‑seat space. Exterior pockets should stay low profile when filled. Trolley sleeves let you stack the bag on a checked suitcase if you’re buying baggage for a longer trip.
Use A Mini Capsule Wardrobe
Choose a color theme, pack two tops for each bottom, and limit shoes to one pair on the plane and one pair in the bag. Roll clothes into cubes. Put the heaviest items near the bottom so the bag keeps its shape for the sizer.
Make The 3‑1‑1 Rule Work For You
Liquids in your personal item must follow the TSA 3‑1‑1 rule: containers up to 3.4 ounces inside one quart‑size bag, one per traveler. Swap liquids for solids where you can—like bar shampoo—and keep meds and baby items separate for inspection.
Sizer Drama: How Spirit Enforces The Box
Spirit’s metal sizers sit at check‑in and the gate. Staff may ask you to try the bag. If it doesn’t drop in without pressure, it won’t pass. That’s when last‑minute fees appear. Don’t chance it: measure your bag at home, including wheels and handles, and test with shoes and a hoodie inside to simulate real packing.
Reserved Bin Space On Bundled Fares
Premium Economy and Spirit First include reserved overhead bin space. That perk can spare you a tense boarding rush on crowded flights. Group boarding also moves you onto the aircraft early, which helps when you’re juggling a laptop and a snack bag.
Carry-On vs. Checked Bag On Spirit: Which Makes Sense?
For weekend hops, a single under‑seat personal item wins on price and speed. If you need a second pair of shoes, a jacket, and a laptop, a paid carry‑on keeps your things within reach and avoids waiting at baggage claim. On longer trips, “Spirit First” can outprice buying a carry‑on plus a checked bag separately while adding a wider seat and snacks.
When A Paid Carry‑On Is Worth It
You’re connecting through a tight hub. You need to work on the plane. You’re bringing fragile items that shouldn’t ride in the hold. In each case, an overhead bag saves time and stress.
When To Skip The Carry‑On
If you’re already checking a suitcase, moving smaller items to that bag can make the personal item plenty. Families often fare better with one checked bag for shared toiletries and kids’ gear plus under‑seat bags for everyone.
Seat, Boarding, And Bin Space: Keep Your Bag Overhead
Boarding order matters when bins fill fast. Premium Economy, Spirit First, and Gold members board early and come with reserved bin space on bundled fares. If you fly on a Value ticket with a paid carry‑on, pick an aisle near the front or a window in the first few rows to improve your odds. Place the bag wheels in first and turn it on its side if the bin is shallow.
Traveling in a pair? One traveler takes the window and boards first to claim space while the other keeps boarding passes handy. Skip bulky coats until after takeoff; tuck them on top of your bag so staff don’t ask you to move items between bins.
What If Your Bag Is Oversize?
If your carry‑on bulges beyond 22 × 18 × 10, staff will ask you to check it. You may be sent to the counter for payment or charged at the gate. Pull out a hoodie or charger to reduce thickness before you try the sizer again. If it still won’t drop in cleanly, paying the fee avoids a last‑minute scramble and keeps the line moving.
For personal items, the same logic applies. If the bag doesn’t fit the 18 × 14 × 8 box on its own, don’t force it. Repack to a smaller profile, or switch to a paid carry‑on on the spot using the app or the kiosk. Friendly, quick decisions save time and stress.
Traveling With Kids: Strollers, Car Seats, And Helpers
Spirit allows strollers and car seats without charge. You can check them at the ticket counter or gate‑check at boarding. Wheelchairs and mobility aids travel free, and agents will assist with the process. These items don’t count against your personal item or carry‑on limit.
Liquids, Batteries, And Safety Items
The free personal item still passes through security screening. Pack liquids under the TSA 3‑1‑1 rule and place the quart bag on top for easy access. For power banks and spare lithium batteries, follow the FAA carry‑on only rules. Smart bags with built‑in batteries may need the battery removed for checked travel; see the FAA’s page on baggage with lithium batteries.
Common Misreads That Cost Money
“My tote is soft, so a little overage is fine.” Soft fabric helps, but the bag must settle into the sizer on its own. If your corners bunch up, agents won’t approve it.
“Airport shopping bags don’t count.” If a store bag pushes you over the personal‑item size or adds a second bag, it can be charged as a carry‑on. Tuck small purchases inside your main bag.
“I can bring two personal items.” Spirit allows one per traveler. A second small bag is still a second bag. Consolidate before boarding.
“Gate agents never check.” They do check, and compliance helps flights leave on time. Measuring at home beats a public repack.
When Bundles Beat Paying For A Bag
If you know you’ll bring an overhead bag and you like extra space, Premium Economy is an easy win: one carry‑on included, priority boarding, and reserved bin space. If you want a wider seat and a checked bag on top of the carry‑on, Spirit First often pencils out, especially on busy routes where bag prices rise close to departure.
Run the numbers during booking. Put the Value fare in your cart, add one carry‑on and one checked bag, then compare to Spirit First. If the bundle costs the same or a touch more, you also get a better seat and snacks. For frequent flyers, reaching Gold status can remove carry‑on fees across the board.
Trip Playbooks
Weekend City Break
Pack a single 18 × 14 × 8 under‑seat bag with a navy or black base layer, one spare top, a light sweater, and a compact sling for walking around. Wear your heaviest shoes on the plane. Skip a dedicated toiletry kit and use a flat zipper pouch to save depth.
Work Trip
Bring a paid carry‑on to protect a laptop and a pressed shirt. Use a slim garment folder inside a 22 × 18 × 10 bag. Put chargers and a folding keyboard in the personal item so you can work if the carry‑on goes in a crowded bin far from your seat.
Family Visit
Check one suitcase with gifts and full‑size toiletries, then carry a personal item with essentials. Kids can bring child‑sized backpacks as their personal items. Put a change of clothes for everyone in the under‑seat bags in case the checked suitcase arrives late.
Policy Links You’ll Use Often
Bookmark Spirit’s own pages. The bag info hub lists sizes and which travel options include a carry‑on. The personal item page spells out the 18 × 14 × 8 limit. The full rules live in the Contract of Carriage, and status perks appear on the Free Spirit status page.
For consumer rights, the U.S. Department of Transportation keeps guidance on bag fee disclosure and ancillary charges. You can read the agency’s baggage and optional fee materials and check your receipt to see how fees were listed at the time of purchase.
Gold Status Snapshot
Gold members get one free carry‑on and one free checked bag on every itinerary, plus early boarding and other perks. If you often add a carry‑on on Value fares, the savings can be real over a year of trips. Check Spirit’s status page for the full list and current qualification rules.
Final Tips Before You Book
- Measure your bag at home with a tape and a box lid as a flat edge.
- Photograph your bag inside a taped 18 × 14 rectangle on the floor to sanity‑check the profile.
- Pay for the carry‑on during booking if you’ll need one. Waiting raises the price and the risk of running out of bin space near your seat.
- Screenshot the size rules you used so you can point to the page if size tags at the airport look different.
- Keep the TSA liquids page and FAA battery page open on your phone in case questions pop up at screening.
Editorial Standards & Sources
This guide reflects the airline’s published dimensions and current travel options, TSA screening rules, and U.S. consumer disclosures. Policy pages change, so always check Spirit’s site for your exact flight and fees before you purchase.