Yes — Spirit allows a paid carry-on (22×18×10 in); only a small personal item (18×14×8 in) is free with the base fare.
Flying Spirit and wondering about that overhead bin? Here’s the straight talk. One small personal item rides free. A larger carry-on is allowed once you pay for it or pick a bundle that includes it. Get the sizes right and buy early to breeze past the gate. Simple as that.
Bringing A Carry-On On Spirit: Rules That Matter
A standard Spirit carry-on may be up to 22 × 18 × 10 inches, handles and wheels included. The free personal item tops out at 18 × 14 × 8 inches. If your bag doesn’t fit the sizer or can’t be stowed safely, agents tag it for the hold and you’ll pay the gate price. Spirit’s bag page spells this out, and it’s the source to trust for sizes and any changes. Double-check your route on Spirit’s site the week you fly, since aircraft swaps or policy tweaks can change how tight overhead bin space feels.
Below is a quick cheat sheet so you can plan what to bring on Spirit and what to pay for.
| Bag Type | Max Size (L×W×H) | Included With Base Fare? |
|---|---|---|
| Personal item | 18×14×8 in (45×35×20 cm) | Yes |
| Carry-on bag | 22×18×10 in (56×46×25 cm) | No — pay or pick a bundle |
| Checked bag | 62 linear in, 50 lb max | No — fee applies |
| Diaper bag (lap infant) | Must stow onboard | Allowed in addition |
| Stroller / car seat (per child) | Gate or counter check | Free to check |
Personal Item Vs Carry-On On Spirit
Think of the personal item as an under-seat bag. Slim laptop sleeve, compact daypack, small tote. If it slides into the smaller bin at the airport, you’re set. Anything larger counts as a carry-on. Backpacks often trigger confusion. Many daypacks fit the personal item box if you avoid bulging pockets and hard cases. Test the size at home and don’t overstuff.
Carry-on means overhead space. That’s where wheels and hard-sided shells shine. Cabin-size spinners at 22 inches long fit Spirit’s rule. Bulky handles, corner guards, or expanders can push you over the limit. Keep the zipper closed and the profile tight. You must be able to lift your bag into the bin without help.
Can You Bring Carry-On On Spirit Without Fees?
Yes, though not with the barebones fare. Spirit sells bundles and upgrades that include a carry-on allowance. Buying a fare with the perk upfront usually beats paying á la carte later. Timing matters. Buying a carry-on during booking tends to cost less than adding it at check-in, and the gate price is the priciest tier.
Carry-On Size, Fit, And Gotchas
Measure wheels and handles. Size rules include them. Soft bags flex into the sizer, but hard shells don’t. Expanders add precious inches, so leave them zipped. If the overheads fill, crew may ask for volunteers to gate-check carry-ons. That’s free when space is the only issue, but any oversize bag picked up at the gate draws a fee. Keep valuables, meds, keys, and documents in your personal item so you’re fine if your roller gets tagged.
What You Can Pack In A Spirit Carry-On
Clothes, toiletries that meet the 3-1-1 liquids rule, small electronics, snacks, and duty-free purchases ride up top. Power banks and spare lithium batteries must stay in carry-on, never in checked bags. E-cigs and vapes sit in the cabin too. Some small hand tools without blades are fine in carry-on; sharp tools and most sporting gear belong in checked. When in doubt, search the official list and pack to match.
Ways To Save On A Spirit Carry-On
Book the allowance early. A membership can shave a tiny amount off bag prices on some itineraries, yet the savings swing. Many travelers find bundles better value because they add seat selection and boarding perks. Speaking of boarding, earlier groups spot open bin space first. Priority lanes that come with certain bundles help protect your overhead room on busy flights.
Weight isn’t posted for Spirit carry-ons on domestic routes. Keep the size within limits and pack light enough to lift.
Smart Packing For A Spirit Personal Item
Pick a soft, squishable bag that hits 18×14×8 and no more. Roll clothes, use packing cubes, and slide flat items against the back panel. If you also buy a carry-on, use the personal item as your tech and essentials kit. Think wallet, passport, meds, headphones, chargers, and a light jacket. That way a last-second gate check isn’t a headache.
Family Travel: Carry-Ons, Strollers, And Car Seats
Traveling with a baby or toddler? Spirit checks one stroller and one car seat per child for free at the counter or the gate. If you bought a seat for your child, an FAA-approved car seat can go on board and buckle into that seat. Diaper bags for lap infants can come along in addition to your own personal item as long as the bag stows onboard.
Bringing A Carry-On On Spirit: Best Times To Buy
Prices for carry-on and checked bags change with route, date, and when you add them. The early bird almost always pays less. Waiting for the airport or the gate hurts the wallet the most. If you know you’ll need an overhead bag, purchase it when you grab the ticket.
Carry-On Dodges That Backfire
Stuffing a personal item until it bulges past 8 inches draws attention. So does a roller labeled “22″ that measures over the limit with protruding feet or a tall grab handle. Tucking a jacket over a second bag at the checkpoint risks a repack at the gate. Spirit agents patrol the queue with sizers. Play it straight and you won’t lose time or money at boarding.
What Counts As A Personal Item On Spirit
Laptop bags, slim briefcases, compact backpacks, small totes, and camera bags fit the bill. Duffel styles can work if they compress to the 18×14×8 box. Hard-shell mini suitcases rarely make it. Wheels and rigid corners waste space and can trigger a size check. If your personal item has a trolley sleeve, it slides over the carry-on handle and keeps your hands free through the terminal.
Table: When A Carry-On Makes Sense On Spirit
| Trip Type | Carry-On Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend hop with a minimalist wardrobe | Skip it and go personal-item-only | Save cash and move fast |
| Work trip with a blazer and laptop | Buy a carry-on | Keeps clothes neat and adds overhead space |
| Family trip with snacks and baby gear | Buy a carry-on or pick a bundle | Earlier boarding helps claim bin space |
Packing List For A Spirit Carry-On
Start with a tee, a mid-layer, and a light shell. Add two mix-and-match bottoms. Pack underwear and socks for each day. A compact hygiene kit that follows the liquids rule. Chargers and a small power strip. Slip sandals or foldable flats for the hotel. Add a cloth tote for laundry.
How To Measure Your Bag Before You Go
Set your suitcase upright and measure top to bottom, side to side, and front to back, including wheels, handles, and any bumpers. For soft bags, fill them as you would for the trip and measure the thickest point. If you’re close to the limit, use a belt or compression straps to keep the profile within 10 inches.
Boarding Strategy That Protects Your Overhead Space
Check your boarding group. If you paid for a carry-on, you board earlier than those without one on many flights. Walk the aisle wheels-first.
What Happens If Spirit Tags Your Carry-On At The Gate
Two scenarios. Space runs out: they gate-check carry-ons for free and hand you a claim tag, and you pick it up at the jet bridge or carousel. Oversize bag: you pay a fee and it goes in the hold. Always pull power banks, e-cigs, and spare batteries out before the handoff. Keep meds and travel docs on you.
Route Tricks: When A Personal-Item-Only Trip Wins
Short warm-weather trips shine with one bag under the seat. Use a 16–20 liter daypack, choose light fabrics that wash and dry fast, and repeat outfits. Slip a cap and thin scarf in your jacket pockets. You’ll skip bag lines both ways and step off ready to roll.
Frequently Missed Rules On Spirit Carry-Ons
Sizes count with handles and wheels. Bins vary by aircraft. Duty-free liquids over 3.4 oz must stay sealed in the tamper-evident bag until you change planes at home. Musical instruments follow separate fit rules; small ones that fit in the bin ride onboard, larger ones may need a seat. Assistive devices like canes and CPAPs ride free and don’t count against your allowance.
Quick Answers To Edge Cases
Can you bring two personal items? No. One personal item plus a paid carry-on is the standard setup. Is a small handbag in addition to a backpack okay? Only if the backpack is your paid carry-on. Do you need a tape measure at the airport? No, but knowing your numbers saves stress. Can your kid bring a tiny backpack plus your own personal item? Yes, if the child has a ticket; kids get the same allowance as adults, and baby gear has its own rules.
Stay Current Before You Book
Baggage pages change often. Always confirm sizes, what’s included in each fare, and battery rules on official sites before you pay. If a page shows a different number than you saw last month, trust the latest page and pack to that.