Spirit Airlines now requires passengers to wear a face mask or face covering while traveling. Their policy is similar to most major airlines. In this post, we discuss the Spirit Airlines Face Mask Policy and provide some FAQs.
Travel is in the midst of a major transformation. The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on a once vibrant sector of the economy and started to change how airline companies ensure their customers both feel safe and are reasonably safe.
As airlines focus on improving the safety of their guests and minimizing the risk of infection, they’ve introduced a variety of healthy and safety measures for passengers and employees alike. Face masks are one such measure that travelers are now getting accustomed too.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has stated that wearing a face mask or face covering reduces the spread the COVID-19 virus which is transmitted primarily through respiratory droplets. Such droplets are often emitted when a person sneezes, coughs or talks.
Face coverings, in particular, have now become a part of the mainstream and are required by nearly all carriers including Spirit Airlines. We examine the Spirit Airlines Face Mask Policy and answer any frequently asked questions readers might have.
Spirit Airlines Face Mask Policy
Unlike some of the other larger airlines, Spirit’s face mask policy is scant on details and to the point. It notes:
“To protect the health and safety of our Guests and Team Members, Spirit requires appropriate face coverings during travel.“
Spirit goes on to elaborate a bit more noting that children aged 2 and under as well as children who cannot maintain a face covering are exempt. Additionally, Spirit notes that guests with a medical condition that prohibits a face covering directly over the mouth and nose must wear a face shield during travel. Spirit indicates that passengers who are unable to wear a face shield, should contact the airline who will attempt to assist with other options.
Spirit, like most airlines, uses the CDC guidance on appropriate face coverings as the inspiration for its policy. In addition to passengers, employees, known as “Team Members” in Spirit vernacular, are also required to wear face coverings, although not much is publicly available about this part of the Spirit face mask policy.
Read the full Spirit Face Covering Policy here.
FAQs about Spirit’s Face Mask Policy
Airlines and passengers are still figuring things out when it comes to new travel safety restrictions, best practices and what is and isn’t enforceable. This means there is still a fair amount of inconsistency in how an airline applies or enforces rules. We’ve tried to answer as many frequently asked questions about Spirit’s face covering policies as we could.
Are face masks required on Spirit flights?
Yes, as of May 11, 2020, passengers are required to wear a face mask or appropriate face covering when traveling on a Spirit flight. Unlike other airline policies, Spirit does not comment on whether wearing a face covering is required for areas like the boarding gate, check-in counter or baggage claim, although doing so may be wise.
Does Spirit Airlines enforce their Face Mask Policy?
It’s unclear at this time if Spirit will enforce their face mask policy or to what extent. While most major airlines now require face coverings while traveling, it’s unclear how much authority they have to enforce them and/or what the penalties might be. For example, will an airline divert a flight if a passenger takes their mask of mid-flight? Would a passenger be restricted from boarding? As fellow travel blogger Paddle Your Own Kanoo has noted, many airlines are instructing their crews NOT to enforce them.
JetBlue has taken a firmer stand with their policy indicating: no mask, no travel, while Southwest has taken a softer approach. It’s still unclear how strict Spirit will be. If you have recently traveled on Spirit Airlines please drop us a comment below about your experiences with the Spirit Face Mask Policy.
Are there exceptions for the Spirit Airlines Face Mask Policy?
Yes, exceptions to Spirit’s Face Mask Policy include children under the age of 2 and those children who cannot reasonably keep their face covered. Additionally, guests with a medical condition that prohibits a face covering directly over the mouth and nose must wear a face shield during travel. Spirit notes that passengers who are unable to wear a face shield, should contact the airline who will attempt to assist with other options.
What if I forget my face mask?
Spirit Airlines, unlike Delta and a few other airlines, does not currently provide passengers a face covering or mask free of charge or even for a fee. Moreover, it’s unclear if Spirit will enforce their face covering policy and to what extent.
Will Spirit give me a free face mask?
No. Currently, Spirit Airlines does not provide free face coverings to passengers who may have forgotten or lost their face masks.
Can I bring my own face mask on a Spirit flight?
Yes, passengers can bring their own face masks or face coverings on Spirit flights. In fact, this is recommended and preferred.
See our guide on where to buy face masks and face coverings for travel here. You can also make your own face mask and we’ve assembled a list of DIY mask instructions here.
Thanks and be safe out there
Travel is going to be somewhat unusual for a while – perhaps for a long while. Face coverings, temperature checks, perhaps bringing a travel thermometer with you and more may simply become the new normal for travel – at least for the foreseeable future. Settle in, get comfortable, and try to make the most of it.
Pictures of Spirit liveries are courtesy of Spirit Airlines.
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4 comments
I am amazed that this forced mask policy exists when it has been proven that this was a flu and part of Bill Gates Event 201 pandemic experiment. Hundreds of doctors have stated that wearing masks is dangerous and not helpful in deterring any type of virus. This is supposed to still be a free America. Apparently Spirit has chosen to fall in line with the deceit and show being put on by the ones who are furthering these lies. Disappointing for sure. I will not be flying with Spirit and will choose an airline that allows us to be free. The narrative that we are endangering others is so far out there that it is almost laughable. Those who want to wear a mask should wear a mask. Those who don’t want to, should not be forced to wear one. Pretty simple.
Good luck in the Domestic US…nearly all airlines now require them.
Margaret, you’re not forced to wear a mask. You have the choice of not flying.
I flew Spirit Airlines about a month ago. On the flight down, from AC, NJ to Ft. Lauderdale, FL, the flight crew was great: they patrolled the aisle and constantly reminded passengers to wear their mask, and to wear their mask over the nose and their mouth. On the fight back, far different story: the flight crew said nothing to passengers, and I saw at least five passengers of multiple races and of both genders not wearing masks…and nobody said a damned thing to them. On the way off of the flight, I point-blank said to the flight crew: “Why were so many people not wearing masks and why did you say anything to them?” and I was greeted with silence. And here’s the kicker: one of the Spirit flight crew was wearing his mask very loosely across his face, to the point where you could see his nose and mouth from multiple angles. Spirit Airlines sent me a survey via email and while I applauded the flight down I very much complained about the flight back. No response from Spirit Airlines. Bad experience, for sure.