United States low-cost carriers operate some of the youngest fleets in the industry. With the aim to minimize operating costs while staying competitive, these airlines invest in modern fuel-efficient aircraft that offer higher performance, greater reliability, and lower costs for the airline. Major low-cost carriers in the US, including Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Breeze Airways, operate competitive fleets with new-generation aircraft. This article compares the three budget airlines and their aircraft types.
Spirit Airlines
- Airbus A320-200s: 63 aircraft (average age of 10.5 years)
- Airbus A320neos: 91 aircraft (average age of 3.8 years)
- Airbus A321-200s: 29 aircraft (average age of 8.2 years)
- Airbus A321neos: 30 aircraft (average age of 0.9 years)
Spirit Airlines operates the youngest fleet in the current lot, having an average age of 5.9 years across its aircraft. The sole operator of Airbus A320 family narrowbody aircraft, Spirit has 213 jets in its fleet. Data from ch-aviation suggests that the airline currently has 160 active aircraft across its A320 family. The total (active and inactive) fleet comprises 63 Airbus A320-200s, 91 A320neos, 29 A321-200s, and 30 A321neos.
The newest in the lot is the A321neos, with the carrier’s first aircraft, registration N702NK, delivered in May 2023. That aircraft will soon be celebrating its two-year anniversary with the airline. The latest example of the type, registration N745NK, was delivered a little over a month ago in February. The airline enjoys an impressive 0.9-year average age across its A321neo fleet.
Spirit Airlines: What Happens Now?
So Spirit Airlines has emerged from its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, and its executives are saying all the right things about it being "a stronger company positioned for long-term success". It has managed to restructure around $795 million of debt, and received a $350 million equity investment from investors to support its customer experience initiatives. But is this enough? Will Spirit be able to find success in an evolving market for low-cost carriers, and if so, what do you think it needs to do / change to reach that success? Or will it end up returning to bankruptcy proceedings and potentially even be shut down and sold for parts?
Spirit Airlines' A321neo fleet has 235 seats, including eight “Go Big” seats in a 2-2 configuration, 12 “Go Comfy” seats in a 3-3 configuration with blocked middle seats, and 215 standard economy seats.
Rows 1 and 2
- Spirit Airlines "Go Big" seats
- Seat width: 22"
- Row pitch: 37"
Rows 3 to 17
- Seats in rows 4 to 6 are marketed as "Go Comfy" and have the middle seat blocked
- Seat width: 17"
- Row pitch: 28"
Rows 18 and 19 (emergency exit)
- Seat width: 17"
- Row pitch: 36"
Rows 20 to 28
- Seat width: 17"
- Row pitch: 28"
Rows 29 to 40
- Seat width: 17"
- Row pitch: 28"
Connectivity
- Thales FlytLIVE satellite wifi
Similarly, the airline’s A320neo fleet is relatively new, having an average age of 3.8 years. The carrier’s first two aircraft, registrations N901NK and N902NK, were delivered in October 2016. The latest example of the type, registration N994NK, was delivered in May 2024.
Spirit Airlines' A320neo fleet has 182 seats, including eight “Go Big” seats in a 2-2 configuration, 12 “Go Comfy” seats in a 3-3 configuration with blocked middle seats, and 162 standard economy seats.
These Are The States Spirit Airlines Doesn't Fly To
The carrier does not operate flights to a handful of states.
Frontier Airlines
- Airbus A320-200s: Eight aircraft (average age of 9.7 years)
- Airbus A320neos: 82 aircraft (average age of 5.6 years)
- Airbus A321-200s: 21 aircraft (average age of 8.4 years)
- Airbus A321neos: 50 aircraft (average age of 1.3 years)
Frontier Airlines operates a slightly older fleet compared to Spirit, with an average age of 6.3 years across its aircraft. Frontier is also the sole operator of Airbus A320 family narrowbody aircraft, with 161 jets in its fleet. Data from ch-aviation suggests that the airline currently has 151 active aircraft and 10 inactive. The total fleet comprises eight Airbus A320-200s, 82 A320neos, 21 A321-200s, and 50 A321neos.
Frontier's newest type is its A321neos. The carrier’s first aircraft, registration N603FR, was delivered in September 2022. The latest two examples of the type, registrations N664FR and N665FR, were delivered in March and are brand new. The airline enjoys an impressive 1.3-year average age across its A321neo fleet.
Frontier Airlines' A321neo fleet is configured with 240 standard Recaro SL3710 lightweight slimline seats in a single class, with a width of 17.7 inches.
Similarly, the airline’s A320neo fleet is relatively new, having an average age of 5.6 years. The carrier’s first aircraft, registration N301FR, was delivered in October 2016. The latest example of the type, registration N326FR, was delivered in November 2022.
Frontier Airlines' A320neo fleet is configured with 182 standard Recaro SL3710 lightweight slimline seats in a single class, each 17.7 inches wide.
Frontier Airlines Adds 3 New Routes From San Diego
Frontier will be competing with Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines on the new routes.
Breeze Airways
- Airbus A220-300: 37 aircraft (average age of 1.9 years)
- Embraer ERJ 190-100AR: 10 aircraft (average age of 17.7 years)
- Embraer ERJ 190-200LR: Three aircraft (average age of 16.1 years)
Breeze Airways operates a fleet of Airbus and Embraer narrowbody jets, with an average age of 11.9 years across its aircraft. The airline’s Embraer jets are significantly older, bringing its overall fleet average to nearly 12 years. Breeze Airways has 50 jets in its fleet. Data from ch-aviation suggests that the airline currently has 44 active aircraft and six inactive. The total fleet comprises 37 Airbus A220-300s, 10 Embraer ERJ 190-100ARs, and three ERJ 190-200LRs (ERJ195).
The newest type in Breeze Airways fleet is its Airbus A220-300s, with the carrier’s first aircraft, registration N175BZ, delivered in June 2024. The latest three examples of the type, registrations N245BZ, N246BZ, and N246BZ, were delivered in March and are brand new. The airline enjoys an impressive 1.9-year average age across its A220-300 fleet.
Breeze Airways Airbus A220-300 fleet is configured with 137 seats in two classes. According to AeroLOPA,
“The Breeze Airways Airbus A220-300 is configured 12C 125M. There are no bulkheads dividing the two cabins. Extra legroom seats, branded XL, are located at rows 4 to 12, and a Family Section is located at the rear of the Economy cabin, occupying rows 24 to 28.”
Breeze Ascent
- 12 Safran Z600 seats configured 2-2. Each seat features an adjustable headrest, a tablet holder, a water bottle holder, and a sleeperette-style leg rest
- Row pitch: 39”
- Seat width: 20.5”
- Seats are equipped with universal AC, USB-A, and 60W USB-C sockets
Economy
- 125 Safran Z110i seats configured 2-3. Each seat features an adjustable headrest and a tablet holder
- Row pitch: 33” “XL” and 31” “Standard” seats
- Seat width: 18.8”
- Seats are equipped with USB-A and 60W USB-C sockets
Connectivity
- Viasat satellite wifi
Breeze Airways Announces 70th Destination With New Intra-Florida Routes
It comes as the airline is also planning to increase frequencies on another in-state route.
The airline’s Embraer ERJ-190 fleet is configured with 108 standard Safran Z110i seats configured 2-2. Each seat features a profiled, non-adjustable headrest and a tablet holder. The seats have a width of 17.6 inches and a varying pitch of 29”-33”, depending on the row. Audio-visual content can be streamed directly to personal devices.
Similarly, the airline’s Embraer ERJ-195 fleet is configured with 124 standard Safran Z110i seats configured 2-2. Each seat features a profiled, non-adjustable headrest and a tablet holder. The seats have a width of 17.6 inches and a varying pitch of 31”-34”, depending on the row. Audio-visual content can be streamed directly to personal devices.
According to AeroLOPA,
“The Breeze Airways Embraer 195 is configured 124M. The cabin measures 2 m high with near vertical side walls and large eye-level windows - although not all seats are aligned in a way that ensures a view out. Under seat areas are free of support railings. Overhead bins can accommodate 22" bags on both sides of the cabin.”
“The all economy class cabin features 24 designated "XL" seats situated at rows 1 to 5 and 14. These are illustrated in the seat plan with red accents. Seats in rows 6 to 13 and 15 to 31 are marketed as "Standard" seats, and a Family Section is located at the rear of the Economy cabin, occupying rows 27 to 31.”