“Ultra-low cost carriers” bring low air fares, competition to Atlanta

With Spirit Airlines expanding to 17 destinations from Atlanta and Frontier Airlines growing to 22 routes out of Atlanta starting in the spring, the competitive landscape at Hartsfield-Jackson International is changing.

These "ultra-low cost carriers" offer a bare-bones style of service and charge extra for carry-on bags and sodas, but are also known for fares as low as $69 roundtrip between Atlanta and Detroit.

The good news: Average leisure fares out of Atlanta are down about 23 percent year-over-year, according to data from Harrell Associates. The decline is part of a trend across the country, though airlines did push through a price hike at the start of the year.