American Airlines vs Spirit Airlines
Side-by-side comparison of American Airlines and Spirit Airlines: cabin and checked baggage allowances, fees, online check-in deadlines, alliances, hubs and contacts.
United States
| American Airlines | Spirit Airlines | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Founded | 1926 | 1980 |
| Type | Full-service airline | Low-cost carrier |
| Alliance | oneworld | - |
| Main hubs | Philadelphia International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Charlotte Douglas International Airport | Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Atlantic City International Airport, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport |
| Aircraft types | 11 | 5 |
| Cabin bag size | 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14 × 9 in) | 56 × 46 × 25 cm (22 × 18 × 10 in) |
| Checked bag (Economy) | 1 piece · 22.7 kg (50 lb) | not included |
| First checked bag fee | from 30 USD | - |
| Online check-in opens | 24 h | 24 h |
| Online check-in closes | 45 min | 1 h |
| Airport check-in fee | free | from 25 USD |
| Customer service phone | 800-433-7300 | 855-728-3555 |
Key differences
- American Airlines lets you check in online closer to departure (45 min vs 1 h).
- Spirit Airlines is a low-cost carrier: expect a cheaper base fare with bags, seats and airport check-in sold separately, while American Airlines bundles more into the ticket.
- American Airlines is a oneworld member, so miles and status benefits carry over to partner airlines.
Other comparisons
Air Canada vs American AirlinesAlaska Airlines vs American AirlinesAllegiant Air vs American AirlinesAmerican Airlines vs AveloAmerican Airlines vs Avelo AirlinesAmerican Airlines vs Delta Air LinesAmerican Airlines vs Frontier AirlinesAmerican Airlines vs JetBlue AirwaysAmerican Airlines vs Southwest AirlinesAmerican Airlines vs Sun Country Airlines
Allowances shown are for the basic Economy fare on most routes. Fees are the lowest published prices and change often - confirm on the official websites before booking.