Twin Cities fliers, get ready for low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines.
The Miramar, Fla.-based airline launches its first flight out of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport tonight at 10:15 to Las Vegas.
Analysts said Spirit's presence could reduce airfares at MSP, where fliers have long complained about shouldering some of the nation's costliest plane tickets.
"We're the liberator of bringing people the choice of a low-fare option that they haven't had before," said Barry Biffle, Spirit's chief marketing officer.
In the past, Spirit has advertised plane tickets as low as $9 one-way, which amounts to about $30 after taxes and fees. However, a sizable portion of the airline's sales - 31 percent - are made through a la carte fees, which include charging up to $45 for bags placed in the overhead bin and $3 for a soda, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Spirit will raise its carry-on fees to up to $100 per bag in November.
Wendy Lee • 612-673-1712
