{"id":2913,"date":"2015-12-08T14:26:53","date_gmt":"2015-12-08T19:26:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.hbs.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/spirit-airlines-and-the-success-of-the-ultra-low-cost-carrier\/"},"modified":"2015-12-08T14:26:53","modified_gmt":"2015-12-08T19:26:53","slug":"spirit-airlines-and-the-success-of-the-ultra-low-cost-carrier","status":"publish","type":"hck-submission","link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/spirit-airlines-and-the-success-of-the-ultra-low-cost-carrier\/","title":{"rendered":"Spirit Airlines and the Success of the Ultra-Low Cost Carrier"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spirit Airlines may be the most hated airlines in the United States. The Better Business Bureau has over 2,000 complaints logged against the airlines[1]<\/a>, and the company has a one-star satisfaction rating on Consumer Affairs.[2]<\/a> Spirit\u2019s business model has never been about exceptional customer service. In response to a consumer complaint, Spirit\u2019s CEO Ben Baldanza wrote in an email, \u201c[He] will be back when we save him a penny.\u201d[3]<\/a> This is Spirit\u2019s business model, to be the lowest cost airline ticket available, and the company has been highly effective at turning that business model into a very profitable business.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Business Model \u2013 \u201cBare Fares\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Spirit\u2019s fares are completely unbundled. A customer pays an initial \u201cbare fare,\u201d which is typically much lower than other plane tickets on the market. However, the additional fees quickly add up. Spirit was one of the first airlines to charge its customers for checked baggage, and additionally charges customers $35-40 for overhead space.[4]<\/a> The company\u2019s website advises customers to print their boarding pass ahead of time, as printing at the airport will cost them $10.[5]<\/a> To Spirit, this \u201cfrill control\u201d means that passengers are only paying for what they want. If a customer doesn\u2019t bring a suitcase, he or she should not have to have the cost included in their ticket, which would serve to subsidize the costs of other passengers who traveled less light.[6]<\/a> To Spirit\u2019s target customer, \u201cprice-sensitive travelers who pay for their own travel,\u201d[7]<\/a> this low cost model creates plenty of value. According to a press release in May 2014, Spirit\u2019s all-in fares are 40% less than those of other airlines.[8]<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Bare\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\"Print<\/p>\n

Spirit has been able to capture plenty of value through its low cost business model. In 2013, the company had the highest operating margins of any airline at 17.1%.[9]<\/a> As of its 2015 third-quarter filings, its operating margins have gone up to 26.9%.[10]<\/a> Much of the company\u2019s business success has been thanks to its operating model, which is highly aligned to Spirit\u2019s goals of cutting costs and providing no frills service.<\/p>\n

\"Flying<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Operating Model \u2013 High Utilization, Single Aircraft Type, and More Seats per Plane<\/strong><\/p>\n

Spirit boasts on its website of its young fleet.[11]<\/a> Due to its fairly new planes, the company has less maintenance and fewer breakdowns, which allows for higher airplane utilization. Moreover, Spirit is able to increase plane utilization through quick turnaround times between flights, sometimes having only 30 minutes in between a flight landing and the same plane taking off again.[12]<\/a> In 2013 and 2014, Spirit had airplane utilization of 12.7 hours, compared to 10.4 hours for Southwest, one of its main competitors.[13]<\/a> High airplane utilization means the company\u2019s fixed costs are spread across more trips, leading to lower costs per flight, and thus tying to Spirit\u2019s business model.<\/p>\n

\"Screen<\/a><\/p>\n

The company also only operates three models of Airbus planes: A319, A320, and A321.[14]<\/a> The comparable planes allows for efficiencies when training its workers and with operating each aircraft. Given the similarities in operating mechanisms, Spirit can use any of its flight crews for any flight on any airplane, including any pilot. This diminishes complexity and saves on costs to train workers across different plane types. The airline also saves costs and reduces complexity when it comes to maintenance and spare parts due to having only one category of aircrafts.[15]<\/a><\/p>\n

Spirit\u2019s website refers to its \u201ccozy seating,\u201d[16]<\/a> the ultimate euphemism for its cramped planes. The more uncomfortable ride is a prime example of a smart operating choice that leads to substantial cost savings for the company. Spirit\u2019s planes have 16%-20% more seats then do other major airlines operating the same plane types.[17]<\/a> The company manages this by having seats that do not recline and by limiting leg room. By packing more customers into each plane, Spirit can spread its fixed costs over more passengers, which lowers overall costs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ultimately, Spirit\u2019s business and operating model are tightly aligned. The company makes operating decisions to cut costs, and then passes these costs on to its customers, who value the cheaper flights. The decision to pursue these goals clearly works, as can be seen in Spirit\u2019s profits and the amount of people who take Spirit flights. Indeed, Spirit operates some of the fullest flights in the industry, averaging planes that are 85-90% full.[18]<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

End Notes:<\/strong><\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> http:\/\/www.bbb.org\/south-east-florida\/business-reviews\/airlines\/spirit-airlines-in-miramar-fl-21000543\/complaints<\/a><\/p>\n

[2]<\/a> http:\/\/www.consumeraffairs.com\/travel\/spirit.html<\/a><\/p>\n

[3]<\/a> http:\/\/www.chicagobooth.edu\/capideas\/magazine\/summer-2015\/why-spirit-airlines-is-so-terrible<\/p>\n

[4]<\/a> http:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/SB10001424052702304749904577384383044911796<\/a><\/p>\n

[5]<\/a> http:\/\/marketing.spirit.com\/how-to-fly-spirit-airlines\/<\/a><\/p>\n

[6]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n

[7]<\/a> http:\/\/finance.yahoo.com\/news\/spirit-airlines-profits-driven-low-182917159.html<\/p>\n

[8]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n

[9]<\/a> http:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/bw\/articles\/2014-04-29\/love-or-hate-it-spirit-airlines-has-found-a-solid-business-in-cheap-fares<\/p>\n

[10]<\/a> http:\/\/ir.spirit.com\/releases.cfm?ReleasesType=General%20Releases<\/p>\n

[11]<\/a> marketing.spirit.com<\/a><\/p>\n

[12]<\/a>\u00a0wsj.com<\/p>\n

[13]<\/a> http:\/\/marketrealist.com\/2015\/11\/spirit-airlines-manage-low-cost-structure\/<\/p>\n

[14]<\/a> http:\/\/traveltips.usatoday.com\/type-planes-spirit-airlines-use-62835.html<\/p>\n

[15]<\/a>\u00a0finance.yahoo.com<\/p>\n

[16]<\/a> marketing.spirit.com<\/p>\n

[17]<\/a>\u00a0marketrealist.com<\/p>\n

[18]<\/a>\u00a0wsj.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How is one the most hated airlines also one of the most successful? 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