Travel Incident Raises Health and Hygiene Concerns for Spirit Airlines
A Spirit Airlines passenger’s experience has gone viral for all the wrong reasons after she shared footage of a cockroach crawling on the wall of her seat during a recent flight. The traveler, identified as Symoné B. Beez, posted the now-viral clip to X (formerly Twitter) on May 11, 2025, prompting waves of outrage, disgust, and mockery directed at the ultra-low-cost carrier.
The 29-second video shows the roach slowly making its way across the cabin wall near the seatback pocket, in the area known as Spirit’s “Big Front Seat” section—a premium upgrade offered to passengers willing to pay extra. The clip has since surpassed 5.1 million views.
“Never again will I fly @SpiritAirlines,” she wrote. “I’ve flown over 500,000 miles on Delta and have never in my life seen roaches on a plane. This is crazy.”
Roach Spotted in Premium Section
In the clip, a yellow booklet labeled “Our Best Bonus Points Offer” is visible in the seat pocket, confirming this was no ordinary section of the plane. The roach is seen crawling up the wall with no signs of leaving the area as Symoné pans the camera across the cabin interior.
She later clarified that she chose Spirit for a short, intrastate 30-minute flight only because it was the only direct option available. “I’m only on here because they were the only direct flight to where I needed to go,” she said, emphasizing it was her first time flying Spirit—and, based on her reaction, also her last.
Spirit Airlines Offered Her $60 Credit
The story escalated further when Symoné updated followers, revealing Spirit Airlines reached out to offer a mere $60 flight credit. She swiftly rejected the offer, calling it inadequate and reaffirming her decision to never fly with the airline again.
“Update: I was given a $60 @SpiritAirlines credit 😂 I won’t be flying Spirit again. One and done for me lol,” she wrote.
Even more concerning, she added that this was not an isolated sighting. “Imma have to [report it] because it’s gotta be a bunch of roaches on this plane if I’ve already seen 2.”
Internet Reacts: From Tubi Movie Jokes to Outrage
Public reactions ranged from shock and disgust to sarcastic takes on the airline’s notorious reputation. One X user joked, “You was in the Tubi sequel to Snakes on a Plane: ‘I’m sick of these MF roaches on this MF plane!'” Others were far less amused.
“Nah, that’s insane. If you see more than one roach there’s definitely an infestation in there somewhere…”, posted @Darron801.
Several users weighed in to compare Spirit to other carriers. Symoné herself noted she had flown over half a million miles with Delta and never encountered such issues. Her comparison contributed to a growing narrative about disparities in hygiene and overall service quality between legacy airlines and budget carriers.
No Public Response Yet From Spirit Airlines
Despite the video going viral and media outlets beginning to pick up the story, Spirit Airlines has yet to release any public statement or apology as of this writing. According to Symoné, the airline only reached out via direct message, avoiding open accountability.
Given the visual evidence and viral traction, industry analysts say Spirit’s silence could further harm its already shaky public perception, especially among first-time flyers.
Health and Safety Concerns
Roaches in confined environments like airplanes are not just unsightly—they pose real health risks. Cockroaches are known to carry allergens, bacteria, and pathogens that could trigger asthma or cause gastrointestinal issues. In the tightly circulated airspace of a plane cabin, the threat of contamination becomes more serious.
The fact that multiple insects were seen in the premium cabin area suggests the issue could be more than isolated. Without proper pest control protocols, even a single roach could be symptomatic of a larger infestation.
Spirit’s Track Record on Cleanliness & Regulation
This incident is far from Spirit’s first brush with controversy. The airline has been fined multiple times by the U.S. Department of Transportation for deceptive advertising, poor customer service, and mishandling of passenger complaints. Issues surrounding hygiene, safety, and transparency have contributed to its widely criticized reputation.
While budget airlines often sacrifice comfort to deliver low fares, passengers still expect basic cleanliness and safety—a standard many believe Spirit has now failed to meet.
Passenger Trust at Risk
In an era where social media amplifies real-time travel experiences, incidents like these go beyond individual discomfort. Viral posts shape public perception and influence consumer decisions. Symoné’s video has sparked renewed debate about what passengers should reasonably expect from any airline, budget or not.
As more users share similar horror stories and call for accountability, this latest incident could contribute to longer-term reputational damage for Spirit Airlines.
Spirit’s Pest Control and Industry Regulations
The FAA and DOT do not have direct roach-specific mandates but do require airlines to meet minimum standards for cleanliness and safety. Most carriers work with licensed pest control services that follow strict procedures for treating cabins between flights and during routine maintenance.
An incident like this—particularly if proven to be part of a broader infestation—could trigger internal audits or pressure from regulators, depending on how Spirit handles the aftermath. While passengers might assume aircraft are sanitized after every trip, deep cleans often occur only periodically unless a specific issue has been reported.
If Spirit fails to publicly acknowledge or investigate the complaint, it could open the door to further scrutiny from consumer protection bodies, travel watchdogs, or even federal agencies.
Final Word
Symoné B. Beez’s encounter with roaches aboard a Spirit Airlines flight has ignited an online firestorm and reignited concerns over hygiene and customer care in budget air travel. With no formal apology or plan of action publicly issued by the airline, passengers are left to question just how safe and clean Spirit flights really are.
For Symoné, one flight was more than enough. And judging by the viral response, many travelers feel the same.
Never again will I fly @SpiritAirlines . I've flown over 500,000 miles on Delta and have never in my life seen roaches on a plane this is crazy. pic.twitter.com/gIIMHpsOG9
