Spirit Airlines Check-in—Time, Policy, Methods
Whether you're using your mobile device or prefer the old-fashioned airport check-in option, this website has you covered completely on the Spirit check-in process. See all the check-in options available to you, along with check-in start and closing times.
Spirit Airlines Check-In Methods
How do I check in for a Spirit Airlines flight?
Checking in for a Spirit Airlines flight is quick and easy. Several options are available, including online check-in, mobile check-in, airport kiosk check-in, and check-in with an agent at the airport counter.
You can check-in for your Spirit Airlines flight:
Through the website
Through the mobile application
At the airport check-in kiosk
At the airport counter
Spirit Airlines Check-In Times
You must arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before the scheduled departure time for domestic Spirit Airlines flights and 3 hours before the scheduled departure time for international Spirit flights. You must have your boarding pass at least 45 minutes before departure for a domestic flight and at least 60 minutes before departure for an international or USVI flight. flight, or your reservation may be cancelled.
Spirit Airlines Online Check-In Time | Mobile check-in time
You can check-in online from 24 hours to 60 minutes before departure.
Remember
You should have already obtained your boarding pass and left your bags:
At least 45 minutes before the departure of a domestic Spirit Airlines flight (within the United States).
At least 60 minutes before the departure of an international Spirit Airlines flight (and a USVI flight).
Check-in time at the Spirit Airlines self-service kiosk
If you check in at a self-service kiosk, you will need to obtain your boarding pass and check your bags:
At least 45 minutes before departure for flights within the US.
At least 60 minutes before departure for international flights, incl. US Virgin Islands US Virgin Islands Flights.
Check-in time at the Spirit Airlines counter
Check-in at the Spirit Airlines airport counter begins 3 hours before departure and ends:
45 minutes before departure for US domestic flights.
60 minutes before departure for international and USVI flights.
Spirit Airlines Online Check-In (Web Check-In)
Spirit Airlines web check-in process
Checking in online saves you the hassle of waiting in line at the airport and takes less than a minute. If you have a confirmed reservation on Spirit Airlines, you can check in online free of charge from 24 hours to 60 minutes before departure, as explained below.
Spirit Airlines Online Check-In Process
You can perform web verification through the website as follows:
Go to Spirit.com
Please provide the following information in the boxes:
Your last name
Your confirmation code
(a 6-character alphanumeric combination such as ABC123 in your confirmation email)
Click the Check-in button
Confirm your check-in
When you check-in online, you will also be able to:
See your itinerary
Purchase a seat assignment
Download and print your boarding pass
Purchase of hand or checked luggage
(at a lower rate than at the airport)
If you check in online and purchase your bags (up to 40 lbs/18.1 kg) in advance, follow the signs to the express bag drop area to drop off your bags and continue through security.
Remember
You must obtain your boarding pass and check your bags at least:
45 minutes before departure for US domestic flights.
1 hour before departure for international flights and U.S.V.I. flights.
To save money:
Print your boarding pass at home or you will be charged $25 to obtain a printed copy at the airport check-in counter. Buy your bags at least 24 hours before departure to avoid being charged online check-in fees.
Buying suitcases online is cheaper than buying at the airport.
Direct boarding may not be available at certain stations.
If you are traveling internationally, you will need to enter your passport details before you can purchase luggage or seats, or print your boarding pass.
You may not be able to check-in online in the following cases
You are traveling with a pet or service animal.
You are traveling with a group reservation with 10 or more passengers
You're flying with a baby on your lap
You have booked the unaccompanied minor service
Travel with a military ID instead of a passport
Travel to/from specific international destinations
You are a non-U.S. citizen leaving an international location.
You have purchased an extra seat or special items
You were unable to complete your online check-in due to a technical issue
(in which case the boarding pass printing fee will not apply)
Mobile app registration
Check-in with the Spirit Airlines mobile app
How can I check in for a Spirit Airlines flight with my mobile device?
You can register with the Spirit Airlines mobile app by tapping the register button, logging in, entering the required information, and following the on-screen instructions to register.
After checking in, you can save your boarding pass to your device.
You can use the Spirit Airlines check-in app to:
Check-in for your flight
Book flights
Add bags and extras
Select/update your seat
See the status of your flight
Download your mobile boarding pass
View or track your Free Spirit mileage balance
Remember
Be sure to collect your boarding pass and check in your luggage:
For domestic flights, at least 45 minutes before departure.
For international flights (and the US Virgin Islands): at least 60 minutes before departure.
Exceptions
You must physically check-in at the airport if:
Your reservation includes one service animal or pet.
Your reservation includes 10 or more passengers.
You're flying with a baby on your lap
You are flying as an unaccompanied minor
You have a military ID instead of a passport.
You are flying to or from certain international destinations.
You are a non-U.S. citizen leaving an international location.
You have purchased an extra seat or special items
You were unable to complete your online check-in due to a technical issue (in which case the charge will be waived)
Check-in at the Spirit Airlines kiosk
You can use touch-screen self-service kiosks (available at select airports) to check-in for your flight between 3 hours and 45 minutes before departure for domestic flights and 60 minutes before departure for international flights and US Virgin Islands.
You can use a Spirit Airlines kiosk to:
Check-in for your flight
Take a printout of your boarding pass
(costs USD 2/pass)
See your itinerary
Add bags and extras
Select a seat
Upgrade your seat
Label your bags yourself (selected airports*)
After checking in and collecting your boarding pass, you can check your luggage at the baggage claim counter.
*Self-tagging is available at airports in the following cities:
West Palm Beach, FL (PBI) San Luis, MO (STL) San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU)
Tampa, FL (TPA) Seattle, WA (SEA) San Diego, CA (SAN)
Sacramento, CA (SMF) Milwaukee, WI (MKE) Denver, CO (DEN)
Richmond, VA (RIC) Miami, FL (MIA) Dallas, TX (DFW)
Portland, OR (PDX) Manchester, NH (MHT) Columbus, OH (CMH)
Pittsburgh, PA (PIT) Louisville, KY (SDF) Cleveland, Ohio (CLE)
Phoenix, AZ (PHX) Los Angeles, CA (LAX Chicago, IL (ORD)
Philadelphia, PA (PHL) Latrobe, PA (LBE) Charlotte, NC (CLT)
Pensacola, FL (PNS) Las Vegas, NV (LAS) Charleston, WV (CRW)
Oakland, CA (OAK) LaGuardia, NY (LGA) Burbank, CA (BUR)
Niagara Falls, NY (IAG) Indianapolis, IN (IND) Boston, MA (BOS)
Newark, New Jersey (EWR) Houston, TX (IAH) Baltimore, MD (BWI)
New Orleans, LA (MSY) Greensboro, NC (GSO) Austin, TX (AUS)
Nashville, TN (BNA) Ft. Myers, FL (RSW) Atlantic City, New Jersey (ACY)
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (MYR) Ft. Fort Lauderdale, FL (FLL) Atlanta, GA (ATL)
Minneapolis, MN (MSP) Detroit, MI (DTW)
Spirit Airlines Airport Check-in
How to check in at the airport ticket counter?
You can physically check in at the Spirit Airlines airport ticket counter between 3 hours and 45 minutes before departure for domestic flights and between 3 hours and 60 minutes before departure for international and USVI flights.
When you arrive at the airport check-in counter, you will need to present your ticket and travel documents, and check in your luggage.
Tips for Checking in at the Airport Ticket Counter
Make sure that:
Your boarding pass is printed correctly.
Note. Printing a boarding pass at the airport counter costs $25 per boarding pass and $2 at a self-service kiosk.
Your luggage is properly labeled and you have your baggage receipts.
You will pass security checks and arrive at the boarding gates no later than 15 minutes before departure for domestic flights and no later than 30 minutes before departure for international flights.
TSA Pre-Registration on Spirit Airlines
You will need to inform Spirit Airlines of your TSA Precheck enrollment before you travel. If you are making a new reservation, you can add your TSA Precheck Known Traveler Number (KTN) when booking as explained below.
TSA Pre-Registration on Spirit Airlines
If you have an existing reservation, you add your KTN through My Trips and your repair number when you check in online.
Existing reservation
After adding the required information, the TSA Precheck indicator will appear on your Spirit Airlines boarding pass (see screenshot below). After arriving at the airport, proceed to the TSA Precheck security area.
Spirit Airlines boarding areas
The boarding order followed by Spirit Airlines is as follows:
Pre-boarding. Includes passengers with special needs, minors and other passengers who require assistance for boarding.
Zone 1
Passengers who have purchased a carry-on bag.
Zone 2
Passengers who contracted direct boarding.
Free Spirit members with Silver or Gold status.
Free Spirit card holders.
Family accommodation
Families with children up to 3 years old.
Zone 3
General boarding.
Generally, the rear half of the plane.
Zone 4
General boarding.
Generally, the front half of the plane.
Spirit Check-In FAQs
This FAQ section is designed to answer your questions about the Spirit registration process. From how early you should arrive at the airport to when you should check in you and your luggage, we've got you covered.