Spirit to End Operations

Updated: May 1, 2026

The end has come to Spirit Airlines today. The New York Times, among many others, reports that the ultra-low-cost (ULCC) carrier is preparing to shut down.

Over the past few weeks, Spirit had been in talks with the Trump administration to secure a $500 million lifeline. The deal hit a wall though. Some of Spirit’s existing investors pushed back hard against the terms because the government would have ended up owning 90 percent of the airline, which would have left those investors in a worse spot if Spirit eventually went under anyway. On top of that, several Republican lawmakers were not on board with bailing out the airline at all.

With all that said, is the overall traveler worse off for Spirit leaving the industry? The answer is yes. I expand on it more below, but at the end of the day, jobs are lost and this is one less way to fly affordably, even if the company was sub-par at best.

Originally published August 14, 2025

Is Spirit Airlines Flying Its Last Route? What It Means for Travelers and Airports

Months ago, Spirit Airlines hinted we might be nearing the final chapter of their story. In recent days, that caution has escalated into a warning — they now believe they may be turning the very last page in their history.

Is it bad news? Absolutely. According to Spirit’s 2024 annual report, the airline employed 11,331 people as of that year. If they do shut down, it’s reasonable to expect that most, if not all, of these employees will lose their jobs. The ripple effects go far beyond payroll. Spirit currently serves 88 airports across 16 countries (as of August 2025) and maintains crew bases in major hubs including Atlanta, Chicago–O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston–Intercontinental, Las Vegas, Miami, Newark, and Orlando.

Data shows Spirit operates over 10% of flights at several airports, including Fort Lauderdale (27.6%), Myrtle Beach, Orlando, Las Vegas, Detroit, San Juan, and Atlantic City — where, in 2019, they were responsible for 91% of operations. In places like Atlantic City or Myrtle Beach, the loss of Spirit could mean reduced demand for airport concessions, fewer late-night dining options, and less foot traffic overall. Yes, other airlines will eventually fill routes and gates, but that transition doesn’t happen overnight.

Beyond the direct job losses at Spirit and the broader aviation industry, entire communities could feel the impact. I’m never a fan of losing any travel option that helps people explore the world affordably. I’m also not a fan of Spirit Airlines — I haven’t flown them in years due to poor customer service, and their track record hasn’t improved much. In 2024, they had a complaint rate of 12.8 per 100,000 passengers, the second-worst among major U.S. airlines (Frontier took the bottom spot at 23.3) [Source: U.S. PIRG Education Fund, Plane Truth 2025].

So, is there any good news? From a traveler’s perspective — yes. Spirit’s exit opens the door for other, better airlines to expand. Among ultra-low-cost carriers, I’m a fan of Avelo Airlines. They offer competitive pricing, transparent policies, and strong customer service. Even major carriers often match ULCC pricing. For instance, a recent Google Flights search showed Boston–Fort Lauderdale round trips at $113 on Spirit and $147 on Delta. The extra $34 with Delta includes a carry-on bag, a personal item, and access to their vast route network — meaning if your flight cancels, they can rebook you within hours or even on another airline when it’s their fault.

At the end of the day, the bad news is a massive workforce facing layoffs, retail investors losing money, and negative economic impacts for the communities Spirit serves. The good news? Travelers may gain more reliable, customer-friendly options — and the chance to explore the world with airlines that deliver a better experience.