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Tag: Spirit Airlines

  • Spirit wants to cut number of airplanes in a bid to keep flying. See the plans

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    Broward-based Spirit Airlines has reduced destinations and furloughed flight attendants, many in South Florida. Now it’s cutting the number of airplanes it flies in its ongoing quest to survive.

    The Dania Beach-headquartered carrier wants to void lease agreements for 87 airplanes, Spirit said in a request last week with a federal bankruptcy court in New York. The court needs to approve this as it does other parts of the company’s restructuring plan.

    The move is another way the airline seeks to reduce its financial burden.

    “A significant reduction in Spirit’s fleet size and related expenses is required to improve Spirit’s financial position and flexibility,” Fred Cromer, executive vice president and chief officer of Spirit Aviation Holdings, wrote in the Oct. 2 court filing.

    On Aug. 29, Spirit filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in less than 12 months.

    Since then, the carrier has said it “intends to use the tools of chapter 11 to realize hundreds of millions of dollars in annual savings and lighten its balance sheet by shedding billions of dollars of liabilities.”

    That appears to mean fewer destinations, flights and airplanes.

    “Spirit is committed to redesigning its network to focus its flying on key markets,” Cromer wrote in the Oct. 2 filing with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Southern District of New York, the court overseeing the airline’s restructuring.

    On Sept. 30, Spirit said it would end the lease for 27 airplanes from its largest lessor, AerCap. That was part of a restructuring contract that included new aircraft leases and an equity injection of $150 million from AerCap.

    Including that, for now Spirit will operate about 100 planes, less than half of the 214 it had in August 2025.

    Fewer planes, fewer markets

    A Spirt Airlines plane gets ready to take off into a cloudy sky, from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, in Broward County. Spirit Airlines one of America's largest budget airlines has filled for bankruptcy for the second time in less than 12 months, on Tuesday August 19, 2025.
    A Spirt Airlines plane gets ready to take off into a cloudy sky, from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, in Broward County. Spirit Airlines one of America’s largest budget airlines has filled for bankruptcy for the second time in less than 12 months, on Tuesday August 19, 2025. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

    The move comes as the carrier is already cutting destinations. In September, Spirit CEO Dave Davis wrote in an email that the company expects to slash flights in November. “You will see a reduction of about 25% in capacity, year over year, as we optimize our network to focus on our strongest markets,” he said.

    Two weeks earlier, Spirit said it would stop service to 12 U.S. cities, including fourwith direct service to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The four were Birmingham, Alabama; Columbia, South Carolina; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Macon, Georgia.

    Spirit, which provided FLL more passengers in 2024 than any other airline did, is an important airline there, and to the region.

    FLL and MIA crews affected

    Employees attend the opening of Spirit Airlines new campus outside the support center on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at Dania Pointe in Dania Beach.
    Employees attend the opening of Spirit Airlines new campus outside the support center on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at Dania Pointe in Dania Beach. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com

    The fleet downsizing also comes one week after Spirit said it would furlough approximately 1,800 flight attendants in two phases by year-end.

    The union that represents Spirit’s flight attendants, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO, said in a statement that the voluntary furloughs will be offered for six months or one-year time periods, effective Nov. 1. Those eligible to bid for the voluntary furlough can bid for one of those options or both, with a preference of time period.

    Based on how the first phase goes, the involuntary furlough will take place starting Dec. 1.

    About 40% of the 1,800 employees affected are based in Florida. That’s according to publicly available letters sent by Spirit to Florida officials, required as part of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, a federal law known as WARN. According to those letters, 309 flights attendants based at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, 71 at Miami International Airport and 300 at Orlando International Airport are affected.

    WARN requires companies with more than 100 employees to give public notice ahead of mass layoffs or closure of employment sites.

    Additionally, 70 ramp service agents, represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers at FLL will be furloughed.

    Vinod Sreeharsha

    Miami Herald

    Vinod Sreeharsha covers tourism trends in South Florida for the Miami Herald.

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  • Here’s how travelers could be impacted as Spirit Airlines slashes service and plans staff cuts

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    This week, Spirit Airlines will end service to nearly a dozen cities. The bankrupt low-cost carrier is cutting staff, grounding planes and slashing its flight schedule as it searches for a route back to profitability.

    Spirit will drop service to 11 cities the week of Oct. 2 in the western and southern U.S. The cities where service is impacted include: Albuquerque, New Mexico; Birmingham, Alabama; Boise, Idaho; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Oakland, California; Columbia, South Carolina; Portland, Oregon; Sacramento, California; Salt Lake City, Utah; San Diego, California; and San Jose, California.

    The budget carrier will also ground plans to launch service in Macon, Georgia and in the coming weeks, they’ll exit Hartford and Minneapolis.

    “I think it’s unfortunate to have less options and I think it makes it easier for the larger airlines to have a little more leeway over the consumer,” said Steve Harvath, who found a cheap Spirit flight from Portland, Oregon, to meet family in Las Vegas – an option he won’t have again.

    Impact on travelers

    The cuts from Spirit could impact more than just those who fly with the airline. Airline industry analyst from Atmosphere Research Group, Henry Harteveldt, said as Spirit exits, higher fares may follow.

    “Spirit is the incredible shrinking airline right now and unless there are other low cost airlines that compete with Spirit on these routes, consumers should expect to pay more,” Harteveldt said.

    Recently, United announced it would add 15 new routes hoping to capitalize on Spirits’ cuts.

    “I think there’s always going to be robust competition particularly for price driven customers. Some airlines will fail. Some new ones will come up. It’s not just about price, it’s about the value and what you get for it,” United CEO Scott Kirby said.

    Spirit has pushed back on Kirby’s comments about its decline. In an email to employees, the company’s chief commercial officer called the cuts “necessary changes to best position our airline for the future.”

    Barry Biffle, the CEO of Frontier Airlines, which is Spirit’s largest direct competitor, said Frontier is “not working on buying Spirit.”

    “There’s too much supply in general,” he said, adding that Spirit doesn’t have to go out of business for capacity to be addressed. “I think that is one of the unfortunate outcomes that could happen, but there has to be less capacity for everyone to be healthy.”

    Spirit’s planned cuts

    Spirit has struggled post-pandemic after a failed merger with JetBlue as flyers have shifted to a more premium experience.

    The Florida-based airline previously announced plans to furlough a third of their flight attendants.

    “As part of our ongoing restructuring, we are taking steps to align staffing with our fleet size and expected flight volume. In line with this process, we have made the difficult decision to furlough approximately 1,800 Flight Attendants, effective Dec. 1, 2025,” Spirit said in a statement last month to CBS News. 

    It will also seek pay cuts from pilots and ground planes while reducing its flights by 25%.

    On Tuesday, Spirit announced it had secured hundreds of millions of dollars in what it called “significant progress” in its bankruptcy restructuring.

    Kris Van Cleave

    Emmy Award-winning journalist Kris Van Cleave is the senior transportation correspondent for CBS News based in Phoenix, Arizona, where he also serves as a national correspondent reporting for all CBS News broadcasts and platforms.

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  • Spirit to end service at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

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    How domestic air travel has changed



    Spirit says low demand for domestic leisure travel contributing to business concerns

    03:36

    Spirit says it will be ending flight service at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Dec. 1 as part of the airline’s “ongoing restructuring,” the company told WCCO on Friday. 

    The announcement comes four weeks after the company said it was filing for bankruptcy, marking the second time Spirit has done so in less than a year.

    “We apologize to our Guests for any inconvenience and will reach out to those with affected reservations to issue a refund,” the airline said in a written statement.

    According to Spirit, the airline will halt service in 11 U.S. cities on Oct. 2 and cease plans to launch service in Macon, Georgia. They will also no longer fly to Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Connecticut, beginning Oct. 31.

    “While we routinely evaluate and adjust our network as appropriate, we do not anticipate any additional airport exits in the near future,” the airline told WCCO.  

    On Monday, a spokesperson for Spirit confirmed to CBS News that it would be laying off around one-third of its 5,200 flight attendants. The Wall Street Journal first reported the airline’s plan to furlough workers.   

    Spirit serves dozens of cities in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean, according to its website.

    The airline on Sept. 18 said it was planning to cut its capacity by about 25% in November as part of its restructuring plan.

    Note: The above video aired on Aug. 13, 2025. 

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    Nick Lentz

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  • Spirit Adds Two Free Checked Bags As Credit Card Benefit – Doctor Of Credit

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    Spirit has added a new benefit to the Spirit Travel More credit card. Cardholders now get two free checked bags, up to 50 pounds each. Cardholders must book on spirit.com or via the mobile app to be eligible. This card comes with a $79 annual fee. 

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    William Charles

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  • Spirit Airlines to furlough one-third of its flight attendants

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    Spirit Airlines plans to furlough a third of its flight attendants, as it looks to cut costs.

    That would amount to about 1,800 employees.

    Spirit is starting with voluntary furloughs.

    The budget airline is seeking to drastically cut back after filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in less than a year last month.

    It plans to cut flying capacity by a quarter in its November schedule, compared to a year earlier.

    It’s looking to slash $100 million in annual spending on pilots.

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  • Spirit Airlines Furloughing Flight Attendants, Cutting Routes | Entrepreneur

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    Spirit Airlines is set to furlough 1,800 flight attendants, according to a memo sent to staff from John Bendoraitis, Spirit’s chief operating officer, on Monday.

    “As we work to return Spirit to profitability, we face difficult decisions about our network, our fleet, and ultimately our workforce,” the memo said, per The Wall Street Journal. “We need to shift our focus to a complete rightsizing of the airline, which means volume-based adjustments to our Flight Attendant group, and across our teams. This is hard news, and we understand it affects not only you and your peers but also your families.”

    Last week, Spirit CEO Dave Davis warned staff that job cuts were imminent after the company filed its second bankruptcy in less than a year in late August. The cuts announced on Monday will impact one-third of the company’s total cabin crew members.

    Related: Workers Taking Mental Health Leaves Have Increased By 300% Since 2019, According to a New Study

    Travelers at a Spirit Airlines bag drop at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in the Queens borough of New York, US, on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images

    The current, voluntary furloughs can be selected for six or 12 months, and those who choose the leave will keep medical benefits while out, according to a note sent by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) union to its members and seen by CNBC.

    Bendoraitis said that about 800 flight attendants are already on leave, but there is a “limit to how many people can volunteer.” Hundreds of pilots have already been furloughed.

    Involuntary furloughs will begin on Dec. 1, the union said.

    Earlier this month, Spirit announced that it was ending service to a dozen cities in October, and rival airlines are already swooping in. Frontier Airlines, for example, which has a 35% overlap with Spirit on routes, per CNBC, said it would be adding 20 new routes.

    “If Spirit suddenly goes out of business, it will be incredibly disruptive, so we’re adding these flights to give their customers other options if they want or need them,” said Patrick Quayle, United’s senior vice president of global network planning and alliances, in a press release at the time.

    Related: Spirit Airlines Issues New Dress Code After Last Year’s Viral Crop Top Incident

    Spirit Airlines is set to furlough 1,800 flight attendants, according to a memo sent to staff from John Bendoraitis, Spirit’s chief operating officer, on Monday.

    “As we work to return Spirit to profitability, we face difficult decisions about our network, our fleet, and ultimately our workforce,” the memo said, per The Wall Street Journal. “We need to shift our focus to a complete rightsizing of the airline, which means volume-based adjustments to our Flight Attendant group, and across our teams. This is hard news, and we understand it affects not only you and your peers but also your families.”

    Last week, Spirit CEO Dave Davis warned staff that job cuts were imminent after the company filed its second bankruptcy in less than a year in late August. The cuts announced on Monday will impact one-third of the company’s total cabin crew members.

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    Erin Davis

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  • Bankrupt Spirit Airlines is furloughing one-third of its flight attendants

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    Spirit Airlines, the budget carrier that filed for bankruptcy twice this year, is laying off about one-third of its flight attendants, as it cuts flights and restructures the business to reduce costs. 

    On Monday, Spirit said it would discharge approximately 1,800 of its 5,200 flight attendants, an airline spokesperson confirmed to CBS News. The Wall Street Journal first reported Spirit’s plan to furlough workers. 

    “As part of our ongoing restructuring, we are taking steps to align staffing with our fleet size and expected flight volume. In line with this process, we have made the difficult decision to furlough approximately 1,800 Flight Attendants, effective Dec. 1, 2025,” Spirit said in a statement to CBS News. 

    Spirit added that it is committed to treating employees affected by the restructuring with “care and respect during this process.” 

    The move comes after the airline  earlier this month, announced it would reduce capacity  by about 25% in November. At the time, CEO Dave Davis said layoffs would likely accompany the scheduling cuts.

    “These evaluations will inevitably affect the size of our teams as we become a more efficient airline. Unfortunately, these are the tough calls we must make to emerge stronger. We know this adds uncertainty, and we are committed to keeping you informed as these decisions are made,” he wrote in a memo to employees.

    The union representing Spirit pilots said it was told by the airline that Spirit “must obtain approximately $100 million in annual cost savings from pilots,” according to a memo from union chair Ryan Mulle.

    The union is surveying its pilot members on the matter.   

    Spirit has cited low demand for domestic leisure travel as a driver of its financial woes, as budget-conscious Americans cut back on travel, over economic concerns. Americans who can afford to travel, meanwhile, are demanding more premium flight experiences, it said.

    Megan Cerullo

    Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News 24/7 to discuss her reporting.

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  • Spirit Airlines to cut capacity by 25% starting this fall, hints at layoffs

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    Spirit Airlines, the bankrupt budget carrier, plans to cut its capacity by about 25% in November as part of a restructuring plan.

    The scheduling cuts will likely be accompanied by layoffs as the airline looks to reduce costs, Spirit CEO Dave Davis said in a memo to employees. 

    “These evaluations will inevitably affect the size of our teams as we become a more efficient airline. Unfortunately, these are the tough calls we must make to emerge stronger. We know this adds uncertainty, and we are committed to keeping you informed as these decisions are made,” he said. 

    The airline’s new schedule is expected to be finalized next week.

    Spirit has also contacted the union representing its pilots in an effort to try to save $100 million, according to a memo from union chair Captain Ryan Mulle.

    Mulle said Spirit has indicated that it “must obtain approximately $100 million in annual cost savings from pilots,” and that such efforts will to reduce costs will begin immediately.  

    The union is surveying its pilot members on the matter. 

    Earlier this month, Spirit announced it would halt service in a dozen U.S. cities. The company said it is exiting the following markets on Oct. 2: Albuquerque, New Mexico; Birmingham, Alabama; Boise, Idaho; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Oakland, California; Columbia, South Carolina; Portland, Oregon; Sacramento, California; Salt Lake City, Utah; San Diego, California; and San Jose, California. 

    Spirit also said it is nixing plans to start service in Macon, Georgia, which was originally slated to launch in mid-October. In August, Spirit announced it was filing for bankruptcy for the second time in one year. 

    The cuts come as discount carriers struggle to compete with bigger airlines, which have increasingly sought to attract budget-conscious travelers. 

    Southwest, another low-cost carrier, recently started selling tickets with assigned seats for an added cost, as customers exhibit preferences for more premium flight experiences. 

    Spirit operates roughly 5,000 flights to 88 destinations in the U.S., Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, Panama and Colombia, according to travel search engine Skyscanner.net

    Kathryn Krupnik and

    Kris Van Cleave

    contributed to this report.

    Megan Cerullo

    Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News 24/7 to discuss her reporting.

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  • Spirit Airlines Pilot Reportedly Warned to ‘Get Off the iPad’ After Veering Too Close to Air Force One

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    President Trump was in the air recently en route to the United Kingdom for a meeting with the nation’s leadership, and as Air Force One flew over Long Island, the craft got just a little too close to another plane, a Spirit Airlines flight on its way to Boston.

    The New York Times reports that the Spirit flight was given a stern warning by the air traffic control tower, which condescendingly told the pilot to “get off the iPad” and pay better attention to the path of the plane they were supposed to be flying. It is unclear whether the pilot was, indeed, looking at an iPad at the time the remark was made.

    “Spirit 1300, turn 20 degrees right,” the tower initially told the flight crew, the newspaper notes. However, the pilot seems to have missed the directions, because the tower was forced to repeat its instructions several times. “Pay attention, Spirit 1300, turn 20 degrees right. Spirit 1300, turn 20 degrees right now. Spirit Wings 1300, turn 20 degrees right immediately.”

    The air traffic control official then got testier:  “I’m sure you can see who it is,” they reportedly said, adding, “Keep an eye out for him. He’s white and blue.” It then, apparently, got worse:

    The tone of the air traffic controller’s voice grew more exasperated as he apparently tried to get the distracted pilot’s attention. The audio escalated as the controller said, “I got to talk to you twice every time” and “Get off the iPad.”

    Citing flight data from Flightradar24, the Times notes that the Spirit plane flight 1300 was approximately 11 miles away from Air Force One when it finally began to “deconflict its flight path” from the president’s plane. The newspaper notes that the closest the two planes came to one other was “eight miles apart, laterally”—which doesn’t seem like very much until you remember that commercial airline jets travel at speeds of 500-600 mph.

    When reached for comment by Gizmodo, a Spirit Airlines representative provided the following statement:

    Spirit Airlines flight 1300 (FLL-BOS) followed procedures and Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructions while en route to Boston (BOS) and landed uneventfully at BOS. Safety is always our top priority.

    The FAA told Gizmodo that it is “aware of social media posts about Air Force One and a Spirit Airlines flight in Boston airspace on Tuesday, Sept. 16.” The agency simply said that “required separation was maintained between the aircraft.”

    In recent years, more scrutiny has been aimed at the potential safety issues impacting the commercial airline industry, as controversies involving plane makers (like Boeing) have broken into the news cycle. In 2023, the New York Times claimed that “near collisions” between commercial jets happen on a near-weekly basis. One of the key issues impacting airline safety has been adequate staffing of air traffic control towers. A report released by the National Academies of Sciences states that a small percentage of the FAA’s air traffic control centers are overstaffed, leading to staffing shortages at other locations.

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    Lucas Ropek

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  • Airline CEO says the era of cheap flights is over: “You can’t have a business model that people hate”

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    United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby is sounding off about the state of air travel — and his prediction isn’t great news for budget fliers.

    Speaking Thursday at the Airline Passenger Experience Association’s conference in Long Beach, Kirby flatly declared that low-cost carriers like Spirit Airlines are doomed. “Because I’m good at math,” he quipped when asked why he believes Spirit is headed out of business, according to NBC News.

    Spirit’s financial turbulence

    Spirit Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection late last month — its second time in less than a year. After reemerging from bankruptcy in March, the airline was hit with weaker-than-expected customer demand and persistently high costs. In recent months, Spirit has cut a dozen destinations even as competitors like United, JetBlue, and Frontier expanded service.

    Kirby has long been critical of the discount model, arguing that selling rock-bottom fares while charging extra for nearly everything else — from carry-on bags to seat assignments — has run its course. “You can’t have a business model that customers hate. You can’t have a business model predicated on ‘screw the customer,’” he said.

    Read more: Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy

    Spirit pushes back

    Spirit wasn’t about to let Kirby’s remarks slide. After he made similar comments at another event in Washington, D.C., this week, the airline’s official X account clapped back: “Scott is finally right about something — it is all about customers. Our Guests love low fares, especially our new Spirit First and Premium Economy options. Maybe that’s why United executives can’t stop yapping about us.”

    Still, Spirit has shrunk significantly in the past year, while rival Frontier has been vocal about its goal to overtake Spirit as the country’s top ultra-low-cost carrier.

    What it means for travelers

    The rise of “basic economy” on major airlines like United and Delta has also cut into the ultra-low-cost niche by offering cheaper fares that come with more amenities and global networks. Kirby suggested that spells trouble for carriers that can’t match the value. “The business model doesn’t work,” he said, likening Spirit and its peers to the “last man on a sinking ship.”

    For fliers hoping for a return to consistently cheap tickets, the message from one of the industry’s most powerful executives is clear: don’t count on it.

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  • Spirit Airlines Pulling Plug on PDX Travel – KXL

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    FILE – In this July 28, 2019, file photo, a Spirit Airlines jet comes in for a landing at the airport in Latrobe, Pa. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)

    Spirit Airlines announced today that Portland is one of 11 U.S. cities that will no longer be flown through. Oakland, Sacramento, and San Jose are just some of the other destinations that Spirit will no longer operate out of.

    KXL received official confirmation from a a PDX spokesperson, who released the following statement:

    “(We) can confirm that Spirit Airlines will be suspending all operations at PDX, with the last flight to operate on 10/3/25. It is worth noting that their service at PDX had already decreased this year compared to last.”

    Spirit’s response to the news was shared in a statement:

    “We apologize to our Guests for any inconvenience this may cause and will reach out to those with affected reservations to notify them of their options, including a refund…We are grateful to the airports, business partners and community members in these markets who welcomed and supported us.”

    The Florida-based airline has chosen a more strategic operation to serve its largest hubs. The decision comes after the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy twice in the last year, including most recently last month.

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    Noah Friedman

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  • Spirit Airlines Axes Service in 11 Cities Starting Oct. 2nd

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    Spirit Airlines is about to get a whole lot harder to find in certain parts of the country. The budget carrier announced it will discontinue service in 11 U.S. cities this fall, trimming back its route map in what it calls a “network adjustment” designed to shore up its struggling operations.

    Starting the week of October 2, Spirit flights will disappear entirely from Albuquerque, New Mexico; Birmingham, Alabama; Boise, Idaho; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Columbia, South Carolina; Oakland, California; Portland, Oregon; Sacramento, California; Salt Lake City; San Diego; and San Jose, California.

    And for those looking forward to new, convenient flights out of Macon, Georgia? That plan is officially scrapped, too. Spirit had announced the route earlier this year as part of a new partnership with regional carrier Contour Airlines, but it’s already been cut before takeoff.

    Pulling Back From New Markets

    The retreat is especially notable in Chattanooga and Columbia, both of which only just welcomed Spirit flights in June. For these cities, the airline’s arrival was short-lived—barely a few months before the plug was pulled.

    In a statement shared with AirlineGeeks, a Spirit spokesperson framed the changes as part of a bigger picture strategy: “As part of our efforts to transform our business and position Spirit for long-term success, we are adjusting our network to focus on our strongest performing markets. We apologize to our Guests for any inconvenience this may cause and will reach out to those with affected reservations to notify them of their options, including a refund.”

    Translation: Spirit is doubling down where demand is steady and stepping away from cities that weren’t delivering enough passengers.

    Financial Turbulence

    The timing of the announcement is no coincidence. Just last week, Spirit’s parent company—Spirit Aviation Holdings—filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in less than a year. It’s a clear signal that the airline is facing real financial headwinds and must get leaner if it hopes to survive.

    That said, the airline insists it’s not grounding planes anytime soon. Spirit plans to keep operating flights during its restructuring process while it works to reduce costs and steady its balance sheet.

    What This Means for Travelers

    For travelers in the affected markets, the loss stings. Many of these cities don’t have an abundance of low-cost carrier options, and Spirit’s often rock-bottom fares—while polarizing due to extra fees for bags, seat assignments, and other add-ons—were still a draw for budget-conscious flyers.

    Customers with upcoming bookings will be contacted directly and offered refunds. Still, many may have to rebook with legacy carriers, often at a higher price point.

    Spirit’s Path Forward

    Despite the shake-up, Spirit says it remains committed to offering “high-value travel options” across its core network, which spans dozens of destinations in the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean. For now, though, the airline’s focus is on stabilizing and scaling back to what it does best.

    For passengers in the 11 cities being dropped, it’s an abrupt farewell. But for Spirit, this may be the survival strategy it needs to navigate out of financial turbulence.

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  • No-frills pioneer Spirit Airlines seeks second bankruptcy in months

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      (CNN) — U.S. no-frills pioneer Spirit Airlines filed for fresh Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Friday, as dwindling cash and mounting losses derailed its turnaround efforts since emerging from a previous Chapter 11 reorganization in March.

    The carrier, recognizable by its bright yellow jets, has struggled to steady operations since emerging from its first bankruptcy in March.

    Flights, ticket sales, reservations and operations will continue, the airline said on Friday.

    Spirit had been attempting to rebrand as a more premium airline to keep pace with post-pandemic travel trends that have challenged the viability of the ultra-low-cost model.

    But Spirit’s recovery was further hit by uncertainty from President Donald Trump’s tariffs and budget cuts, which have cooled consumer spending and driven down domestic airfares.

    The airline was forced to raise going-concern doubts earlier this month.

    “Since emerging from our previous restructuring, which was targeted exclusively on reducing Spirit’s funded debt and raising equity capital, it has become clear that there is much more work to be done and many more tools are available to best position Spirit for the future,” said CEO Dave Davis.

    The Florida-based airline first sought bankruptcy protection last November after years of losses, failed merger bids and mounting debt, becoming the first major U.S. carrier to do so since 2011.

    It posted a $1.2 billion net loss last year, with its troubles compounded by the collapse of a $3.8 billion merger with JetBlue Airways and RTX’s Pratt & Whitney engine issues that forced it to ground many of its Airbus jets.

    Spirit began in 1964 as a long-haul trucking company before shifting to aviation in the 1980s, initially flying leisure packages under the name Charter One Airlines.

    It rebranded as Spirit in 1992 and built its reputation as a discount carrier for budget-conscious travelers willing to skip extras like checked bags and seat assignments.

    But the pandemic upended that model, as demand shifted toward more comfortable, experience-driven travel, leaving ultra-low-cost carriers struggling to adapt.

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  • Spirit Airlines Files For Bankruptcy Protection Again – KXL

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    FILE – In this July 28, 2019, file photo, a Spirit Airlines jet comes in for a landing at the airport in Latrobe, Pa. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)

    (Associated Press) – Spirit Airlines has filed for fresh bankruptcy protection months after emerging from a Chapter 11 reorganization.

    The budget carrier said on Friday that it would continue operating as normal during the voluntary restructuring, and customers still can book trips and use tickets.

    Spirit’s parent company recently expressed “substantial doubt” about its financial future, citing weak demand for domestic leisure travel and ongoing market challenges.

    Despite cost-cutting efforts, including pilot furloughs, Spirit says it needs more cash and may sell aircraft and real estate.

    The airline is also trying to attract upscale travelers with tiered pricing and additional amenities.

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    Grant McHill

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  • Avelo Airlines to offer cheap flights from Palm Beach County to North Carolina this fall

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    A low-cost airline that offers no food or in-flight Wi-Fi is offering cheap commercial flights this fall from Palm Beach County to North Carolina.

    Avelo Airlines is selling one-way nonstop tickets from PBIA for $57 to Concord, N.C., for flights departing Oct. 23 and onward, and Wilmington, N.C., for flights scheduled for Nov. 20 and later. Each flight takes less than two hours one way.

    No other airlines flying out of PBIA offer flights to Concord-Padgett Regional Airport or Wilmington International Airport as cheap as Avelo is, nonstop or not. At Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Spirit Airlines offers direct flights to Concord for $39.

    More: Spirit offering cheap flights from Fort Lauderdale to Key West starting in November

    What type of luggage does Avelo allow onboard?

    Avelo passengers can bring one “personal item” onboard for free if it is smaller than 17 inches long, 13 inches tall and 9 inches wide. Carry-on bags and checked luggage cost extra. Bags weighing more than 50 pounds cost an additional $100 each. Booking or canceling not done online adds $25. Passengers who want to choose their own seats must pay extra.

    Avelo helps with deportations to boost bottom line

    Avelo signed a deal this year with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to carry out immigrant deportation flights under a charter agreement.

    The deal “will provide us with the stability to continue expanding our core scheduled passenger service” and keep the airline’s 1,100-plus workers employed, CEO Andrew Levy said in April. Deportation flights have been departing since May 12 from Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona.

    Launched in 2021, Avelo has struggled to turn a profit. The company lost nearly $37 million between July 2024 and March 2025, according to the latest financial data the airline is legally required to report to the federal Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The Houston-based airline plans to end commercial flights in the western United States by the end of this year.

    Local organization protests Avelo, calls for boycott

    Anti-Trump group Palm Beach Indivisibles protests monthly at PBIA against Avelo for participating in the deportations of people accused of being in the United States illegally. The group says they have been denied their rights to a fair trial.

    Palm Beach Indivisibles is calling for a boycott of Avelo. Anyone interested in learning more about the group and its events can go online to palmbeachindivisibles.com/contact or email pbindivisibles@gmail.com.

    Anyone looking to book a flight on Avelo can go online to aveloair.com.

    Chris Persaud covers transportation in Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post. Email news tips and article ideas to cpersaud@pbpost.com.

    This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Avelo Airlines to offer cheap flights from Florida to North Carolina

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  • Spirit Airlines Celebrates 25 Years at LAX with Fare Sale and Up to 1,500 Bonus Points

    Spirit Airlines Celebrates 25 Years at LAX with Fare Sale and Up to 1,500 Bonus Points

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    Spirit Airlines LAX Fare Sale

    Spirit Airlines LAX Fare Sale

    Spirit Airlines is celebrating its 25th anniversary at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) with limited-time anniversary fares starting as low as $25 one-way.

    This promotion is valid for booking on July 12, 2024. Travel must take place between Aug. 13 and Oct. 10, 2024, from LAX.

    The airline is also offering members of its Free Spirit loyalty program 1,500 bonus points on roundtrip flights and 750 bonus points on one-way flights to and from Los Angeles (LAX). Travel must be booked by Aug. 15, 2024, and flown by Oct. 31, 2024.

    Los Angeles (LAX) Service

    Destination

    Frequency

    Promo Fares

    Atlanta (ATL)

    2x Daily

    $57* one way

    Baltimore (BWI)

    2x Daily

    $77* one way

    Boston (BOS)NEW SEASONAL

    Daily

    $63** one way

    Charlotte (CLT)

    Daily

    $77* one way

    Chicago (ORD)

    2-3x Daily

    $59* one way

    Cleveland (CLE)

    Daily

    $59* one way

    Columbus (CMH)

    Daily

    $129* one way

    Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)

    3x Daily

    $69* one way

    Detroit (DTW)

    3x Daily

    $89* one way

    Fort Lauderdale (FLL)

    4x Weekly

    $114* one way

    Houston (IAH)

    3x Daily

    $59* one way

    Kanas City (MCI)

    Daily

    $64* one way

    Las Vegas (LAS)

    4-5x Daily

    $25* one way

    Louisville (SDF)

    4x Weekly

    $89* one way

    Nashville (BNA)

    Daily

    $32* one way

    Newark (EWR)

    Daily

    $134* one way

    New Orleans (MSY)

    Daily

    $74* one way

    Oakland (OAK)

    1 – 2x Daily

    $25* one way

    Philadelphia (PHL)

    Daily

    $99* one way

    Pittsburgh (PIT)

    Daily

    $64 one way

    Portland (PDX)

    Daily

    $32* one way

    Reno (RNO)

    Daily

    $25* one way

    Salt Lake City (SLC)

    Daily

    $39* one way

    San Antonio (SAT)

    Daily

    $34* one way

    San Jose (SJC)

    2x Daily

    $32* one way

    Seattle (SEA)

    Daily

    $42* one way

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    DDG

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  • New Travel Record, Spirit Expands Military Benefits, Virgin Cruise Giveaway Goes Wrong, New St. Regis Resort in California

    New Travel Record, Spirit Expands Military Benefits, Virgin Cruise Giveaway Goes Wrong, New St. Regis Resort in California

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    News Roundup

    You can stay in touch with us on Facebook/Twitter/Threads, or you can join the discussion in our Facebook Group. You can also subscribe to get all news/deals via one daily email, or choose instant notifications for time sensitive deals. As always, thank you for reading!

    News Roundup

    This is a roundup of news and other interesting pieces that I’ve come across over the last few days. I thought they are worth sharing so I hope you enjoy reading them.

     

    TSA sets new record Friday for most travelers screened in a single day

    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that it set a new record for most travelers screened in a single day on Friday, according to a post from the agency on X, formerly known as Twitter. TSA officers screened 2,951,163 individuals at checkpoints nationwide, surpassing its previous record from November 26, 2023, over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. ➡️ Read more

     

    Spirit Airlines Expands U.S. Military Benefits to Include Spouses and Children

    The airline announced it is extending the existing benefits for active-duty U.S. military service members to their spouses and all their children when traveling with the service member effective immediately, including two free standard checked bags, one free standard carry-on bag, and the existing one free personal item per person. Complimentary priority boarding is also available for active-duty service members, and their spouses and children when traveling with the service member.. ➡️ Read more

     

    Virgin’s cruise giveaway goes horribly wrong

    Virgin Voyages is dealing with a PR nightmare after a woman who won a free cruise said she’d have to pay $8,000 in flights to claim her prize. The winner booked a cruise out of Brisbane for herself and her partner. However, in February, the company announced that all of its Australia voyages were canceled due to tensions in the Red Sea. So they would have to fly from Australia to Europe or the Caribbean to claim their prize. ➡️ Read more

     

    Resort At Pelican Hill Joining Marriott, Becoming St. Regis

    The Resort at Pelican Hill, located in Newport Beach, California, has operated independently since it opened in 2008. But that is changing later this year. As of July 1, 2024, the Resort at Pelican Hill will join Marriott, and will participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program. Then, after an extensive renovation, the property will be branded as a St. Regis. ➡️ Read more

     

    JetBlue Starts Flying From New York to Edinburgh

    JetBlue has added another route to its transatlantic offerings with new, nonstop flights to Edinburgh from New York. Daily summer-seasonal service from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Edinburgh Airport (EDI) will operate through September 30, 2024. Prices start at $499 round-trip. This is only the second direct offering from New York’s JFK to Edinburgh. ➡️ Read more

     

    Azul and GOL Announce Codeshare Agreement

    Azul and GOL airlines have announced a commercial cooperation agreement that will connect their flight networks in Brazil through a codeshare agreement. This partnership covers all domestic routes operated exclusively, meaning rotes operated by one of the two companies but not the other. The agreement also encompasses frequent flyer programs, allowing Azul Fidelidade and Smiles members to earn points in their preferred program when purchasing segments included in the codeshare agreement. ➡️ Read more

     

    Guru’s Wrap-up

    Let me know if you enjoyed these articles and comment with any opinions you might have. You can also share any other interesting articles about deals, travel, credit cards and more.

    Use the social media buttons below to share this article. Your support and engagement is always greatly appreciated.

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  • Spirit Airlines ends cancellation and change fees

    Spirit Airlines ends cancellation and change fees

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    ERIE, Pa. (WJET) — Just days after Frontier Airlines announced they plan to remove most change and cancel fees, Spirit Airlines announced they will end these fees as well. The new plans go into effect immediately and apply to all tickets offered by Spirit.

    Before Spirit implemented the new changes, passengers had to pay anywhere from $69 to $119 for ticket changes or cancellations, the cost largely dependent on how far away your flight date was. During the pandemic, larger airlines like Delta and American got rid of change fees for most of their tickets.

    A Spirit Airbus A321 airplane at Las Vegas Airport (LAS) in the United States. (Getty Images)

    The move comes after the Department of Transportation (DOT) passed new rules that require airlines to promptly provide passengers with automatic cash refunds when owed as the crackdown on junk fees continues.

    Frontier, while also getting rid of their change and cancellation fees, introduced new flight bundles and transparent pricing. The cheapest bundle is the economy bundle, while the business bundle is the most expensive, which includes two checked bags as well as priority seating and other benefits.

    Frontier also said it is bringing back phone support for customers within 24 hours of their flight.

    Frontier has not earned a full-year profit since 2019, and it has lost about $400 million since then and failed in an attempt to merge with Spirit.

    The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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    Joshua Hallenbeck

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  • Delta, Spirit planes collide at Cleveland Hopkins airport; no injuries

    Delta, Spirit planes collide at Cleveland Hopkins airport; no injuries

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    CLEVELAND (WJW) — An airplane collided with another airplane while passengers were boarding at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

    It happened at about 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 12, according to a statement from the FAA. No injuries were reported.

    Delta Airlines Flight No. 2577 was taxiing when its wingtip struck Spirit Airlines Flight No. 655, which was parked at the gate and boarding passengers.

    “Our guests deplaned normally through the jet bridge and no injuries to Spirit guests or team members were reported,” reads a Monday statement from a Spirit spokesperson. “Safety is our top priority, and the aircraft was removed from service to be thoroughly inspected by our maintenance team.”

    Spirit was giving its passengers alternative travel arrangements “as quickly as possible,” reads the statement.

    The Delta plane was a Boeing 739 with 180 passengers headed for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Its passengers were delayed about four hours while waiting for another aircraft on Sunday night.

    Delta is also planning to investigate. Delta issued the following statement:

    “Delta teams worked to reaccommodate customers to their final destination to Atlanta after the wingtip from Delta flight DL2577 made contact with a parked aircraft at CLE. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.”

    The collision happened near Gate B2, according to an airport spokesperson. There was no impact to air traffic.

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    Justin Dennis

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  • Spirit Airlines Unveils New Spirit Central Campus in Florida

    Spirit Airlines Unveils New Spirit Central Campus in Florida

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    Spirit Airlines celebrated the official opening of Spirit Central, its new corporate campus at Dania Pointe in Dania Beach, Florida.

    The campus spans more than 11 acres and features four buildings, including a support center with offices, an amenity building, a new crew training facility built for hands-on experience in flight simulators, and a corporate housing facility. Additionally, the campus also includes dedicated parking garages for Spirit Team Members.

    The new Spirit Central provides an expansive, centralized location for the airline’s main support teams and is only a few minutes away from Spirit’s largest operating base at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).

    “The opening of Spirit Central marks a major milestone as we celebrate a new chapter in our more than 30-year history and reflect on how far we’ve come in our mission to deliver high-value travel options across the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean,” said Ted Christie, Spirit’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Spirit is proud to make this major investment in Broward County, drive local economic development, and further strengthen our commitment to the South Florida community.”

    The new campus interior includes design features that pay tribute to Spirit, including an 18-foot-long Airbus A321neo model plane, a 3D engine cowling, a gallery showcasing the famous “Howdy” sharklet, a history wall, and more. The main buildings on the campus include:

    • Support Center: The largest of all four buildings is approximately 180,000 square feet and features six floors of office space for more than 1,000 corporate Team Members from the Operations Control Center, IT, Flight Operations, Inflight and more.
    • Fueling Station: The amenity building is easily accessible from the first floor of the Support Center and features a café, fitness center, and lounge spaces exclusive to our Team Members.
    • Training Hub: The state-of-the-art training facility for Inflight and Flight Ops Teams will boast several high-tech flight simulator bays and fixed flight simulators, an advanced Cabin Emergency Evacuation Trainer (CEET), a door trainer, classrooms, and debriefing rooms.
    • The Landing: The corporate housing facility will be the home away from home for out-of-town Team Members visiting for company business and features accommodations for up to 400 Team Members, several meeting rooms, a grab-and-go market, a pool, a fitness center, and its own parking garage.

    In celebration of Spirit Central’s official opening, the Spirit Charitable Foundation donated $25,000 to Dania Beach PATCH (Peoples Access to Community Horticulture), an urban farm and market created to provide local access to healthy foods and horticulture. The donation advances the Foundation’s Environment pillar by investing in a platform for education, cultural growth, access to healthy foods & community gardening, and economic development.

    Spirit partnered with Florida-based architectural firm HuntonBrady, general contractor Brasfield & Gorrie, and project advisor Jones Lang LaSalle to design and build Spirit Central. The airline worked with Kimco Realty, the owner and principal developer of Dania Pointe, to secure the land.

    The relocation from Spirit’s Miramar, Florida, facilities to Spirit Central in Dania Beach is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

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