I booked a trip from DFW to LAX with 7 days notice on Spirit Airlines
(NK). I booked a one way ticket for
$158.00, which included air fare, “Big Front Seat,” and a three day car rental
with Dollar.
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NK869
DFW to LAX, operated as an Airbus A-321
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NK is located at Terminal E,
at DFW International and operates as many as 28 daily flights during the summer
season. In fact, NK has quietly become
the number 2 domestic carrier at the airport (when all AA/American Eagle
traffic is combined - carriers report separately). The departure was scheduled for Saturday
afternoon, at 412P. When I got to the
airport, I was literally the only one going through security, and breezed
through. Terminal E was the first to be
renovated at DFW. The airport did a job
keeping the convenience of the original airport, and the aesthetics of the
newest terminal, Terminal D. Job well
done! The terminal is passenger
friendly, with plenty of food choices, and the restaurants stay open late to
cater to NK’s several late departures, an anomaly at a mid-continent hub
airport.
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Spirit
is located at Terminal E at DFW Airport and has up to 28
daily flights
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Boarding NK flights generally starts 30 minutes prior to
departure, as was the case for my flight.
I was seated in seat 2F, and boarded with Group 2. Once everyone was boarded, and at the click
of 412P, the flight pushed back on time.
NK’s “Big Front Seats” (BFS) are essentially first class size seats,
with a little less legroom. In fact, it
is somewhat difficult to get to the window seat. But, BFS is not first class, just a bigger
seat. If you want a drink or snack, you
must buy. Every time I fly NK, I pay so
little, I don’t mind paying for a drink and snack (you can always bring
something on board by purchasing before you board).
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All snacks and drinks must be purchased on NK.
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NKs cabin service is always
one of the strong points. Flight
attendants are friendly and serve everyone with a smile. Compared to the legacies and many other LCCs,
I would say NKs cabin service is among the best in the industry.
It was cloudy most of the flight, however, over Western
New Mexico, the skies were clear, and for the last hour of the flight, there
were beautiful views of Northern Arizona, including the Meteor Crater. As we made our final approach into LAX, we
were greeted by a stunning view of Downtown LA surrounded by the San Gabriel
Mountains.
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| Meteor Crater, outside of Winslow, AZ |
Once we touchdown on Runway
25L (Left), maximum reverse thrust and braking is applied now that NK is
located in Terminal 5. This is done
since Terminal 5 is located adjacent to the middle of the runway, and the pilot is
hoping to avoid a long taxi. Task
accomplished. We turned off the runway
and taxied directly to Gate 54, arriving at 538P, only 5 minutes later than
scheduled. The terminal is new to NK,
and previously housed Delta Airlines. This
terminal is perhaps the nicest terminal at LAX.
I frequently fly on Spirit Airlines. I don’t check a bag, and I don’t pay for a
roller bag. I take a “personal item”
which cannot exceed 18inX14inX8in. My ‘duffel’
shoulder bag is bigger than those dimensions; however, it fits in the sizer. NK
is pretty liberal if you are carrying a shoulder duffel bag, as long as it fits (literally squeezes) in the sizer. I find I can actually get
more in shoulder bag than a roller bag.
I enjoy flying Spirit Airlines. They have enabled me to take trips I never
thought I could afford. Please be aware,
you will pay for everything, from seat assignments, to a soft drink on
board. However, if you are creative,
Spirit is a great way to fly.
Since Spirit does not operate an afternoon departure LAX to DFW on Tuesday, I flew AA's 787 on my return. Look for my review of that flight coming soon!
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| Downtown LA from NK869 on final to LAX |
