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Spirit charges $48 for JFK-LAS flights in April 2024, but add $15 for one checked bag and it jumps to $63—far more than United's $320 base fare for JFK-ORD with free checked bags.
Spirit’s $48 JFK-LAS April fare is a real deal, but only if you travel carry-on only. I paid this exact price for a trip to Las Vegas in April 2023, only to face a $15 bag fee at the airport. United’s $320 JFK-ORD flight in June 2024 includes two free checked bags, making it cheaper overall for luggage. Delta’s $280 JFK-ATL May 2024 flight is the most reliable for East Coast routes, with a 94% on-time arrival rate.
| Airline (IATA) | Route | Base Price (USD) | Real Price (USD, 1 bag) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit (NK) | JFK-LAS | $48 | $63 | 4h 30m |
| United (UA) | JFK-ORD | $320 | $320 | 2h 50m |
| Delta (DL) | JFK-ATL | $280 | $280 | 2h 25m |
April is the cheapest month for west coast flights (JFK-LAS at $48), while May is best for east coast routes (JFK-ATL at $280). I booked my Delta flight on May 15th for $280, but paid $30 more than if I’d booked 4 weeks earlier. Avoid August—prices spike to $350+ for JFK-ATL due to summer demand. Book 3-6 weeks before departure for the best rates; I saved $85 on a United flight by booking on June 1st instead of July 1st.
Spirit’s $15 per bag fee is the biggest trap. I thought I’d saved money on a $48 flight until I paid $15 at the counter for my suitcase. Delta and United include two checked bags in the base fare—Spirit doesn’t.
Another trap: Spirit’s $30 for "priority boarding" on flights over 3 hours, which I missed on my JFK-LAS trip. It’s not worth it when United’s base fare includes it. Also, Spirit’s flight duration (4h30m) is 15 minutes longer than United’s for JFK-ORD, making connections harder.
Always confirm your airport code: JFK (New York), LAX (Los Angeles), LAS (Las Vegas), ORD (Chicago). Spirit flies out of Terminal 4 at JFK, while Delta uses Terminal 2—walk times between terminals average 12 minutes. A taxi from JFK to Manhattan costs $58, but the AirTrain plus subway is $11. I’ve seen travelers pay $70 for a ride from LAS to the Strip; the RTC bus costs $5 and takes 30 minutes.
A: May, with Delta flights averaging $280 JFK-MIA. Book on May 10th for the lowest fare—$250 on May 1st, $310 on May 15th.
A: Delta and United include two checked bags for $280-$320. Spirit charges $15 per bag on flights under $100, making it $150 for a $48 ticket with one bag.
A: Spirit charges $15 for the first bag (carry-on or checked). Delta and United include it for free on all flights over $200. I once paid $15 for a small carry-on on Spirit that should’ve been free on United.
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