Spirit Airlines Locks Up 60th Destination

Spirit Airlines—the low-budget carrier that is the very reason why the three major legacy carriers have tinkered with their fee structures in order to compete—has added its 60th destination.

The Miramar, Fla.-based carrier will bring new nonstop service from Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Conn. to Myrtle Beach, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale beginning later this spring.

Beginning April 27, Spirit will start nonstop service between BDL and Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR). Spirit will also roll out daily nonstop service to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood international Airport (FLL) beginning June 15.

Service from BDL to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale will be once daily, service to Myrtle Beach will be four days a week.

“We are thrilled to name Hartford as the 60th city to join our growing network,” Mark Kopczak, Vice President of Network Planning for Spirit Airlines, said in a statement. “Spirit’s super low Bare Fares™ with Frill Control™ provide a new option to customers in Connecticut and western Massachusetts. As the first U.S. airline to give customers the choice to pay for only the extras they want, we know Spirit’s arrival in Hartford will free the region from high airfares and give many more travelers the ability to spend those savings on vacation.”

Those fares prompted American, Delta and United to introduce its ‘Basic Economy Fare’, which basically gives passengers the lowest-priced seat on the plane but with little to no amenities, -- including no access to overhead bins.

READ MORE: American Follows United’s Lead

"Bradley International Airport is a major economic driver for Connecticut, and it continues to be a player in our efforts to grow our economy, boost tourism, and improve our transportation system,” said Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy. “The addition of Spirit Airlines gives residents and businesses in our region another option in a growing, diversified selection of airlines that are servicing our region's largest airport, and we welcome them to our state."

Spirit’s new flights are available for purchase now.