Spirit Airlines, notorious for its reputation as America’s most unpredictable carrier, has abruptly ceased operations after 33 years. In a shocking move, the airline has canceled all flights with no provision for alternative travel arrangements for its passengers.
In a statement released just before 3 a.m. on Saturday, Spirit declared it was “winding down its global operations, effective immediately.” This decision leaves passengers stranded, as the airline also announced the cessation of its customer service. Travelers are unable to rebook flights with other airlines through Spirit, though automatic refunds have been promised.
Reflecting on its history, Spirit expressed pride in its impact on the travel industry through its ultra-low-cost model, stating, “We are proud of the impact of our ultra-low-cost model on the industry for the last 33 years and had hoped to serve our guests for many years to come.”
In response to the sudden shutdown, other airlines have stepped in to assist displaced passengers. Frontier Airlines, for instance, has announced plans to support affected travelers by providing low-fare options to help them continue their journeys.
Multiple airlines have announced that they would offer assistance to passengers scheduled to fly Spirit.
Frontier said on Friday that they were preparing to help impacted passengers ‘with a focus on helping people continue their travel plans with low-fare options.’
JetBlue, which sought to purchase Spirit in 2024 but was blocked by a court ruling, also announced on Friday that it would help passengers who were affected by the news.
Spirit’s update has not only caused a headache for customers scrambling for other accommodations, but has also left thousands without jobs.
Spirit Airlines canceled all flights in the middle of the night on Saturday. Pictured above is a departure board at Orlando International Airport
Passengers scheduled to fly on Spirit have been forced to scramble for other accommodations. Travelers are pictured above at the Spirit check-in at Orlando International Airport
Spirit announced that all flights were canceled and its customer service was shutting down. An employee is pictured above posting the notice at Orlando International Airport
About an hour before the official announcement, the Association of Flight Attendants notified its members that the airline would cease operations at 3am EST, CNN reported.
Spirit’s staff, including flight attendants and pilots, who are in need of a way home, are set to receive travel pass benefits and spare jump seats from most major US carriers, according to the Department of Transportation.
American Airlines and United are also creating microsites for Spirit employees seeking new positions.
The AFA has set up a resource page for Spirit flight attendants who are now out of a job.
Since stranded passengers may be forced to book with higher-budget airlines, however, the DOT has said that ticket prices will be capped for Spirit customers for flights on United, Delta, JetBlue and Southwest.
The fares will only be available for a limited time. JetBlue and Southwest are offering reduced costs for the next 72 hours.
Customers looking to book with Southwest will have to purchase their new ticket in person at an airport.
Delta is offering capped ticket prices for the next five days, while travelers can purchase seats with United for the next two weeks.
Spirit released a statement online in the early hours of Saturday, announcing that global operations were winding down
Stranded passengers who have been impacted by the news will be automatically refunded for their flight. Pictured above is an operational update posted at the Orlando International Airport
Spirit’s customer service team has also been disbanded. Pictured above is an empty bag-drop counter at the Orlando International Airport
Spirit’s greatest hits
Spirit broke the mold for air travel, emerging over three decades ago as the first budget airline.
Its existence paved the way for people to book trips who otherwise may not have been able to afford travel.
However, its low-cost prices, infamous yellow branding and the outlandish behavior that often occurred on Spirit flights became synonymous with the brand.
In 2020, Spirit passengers made headlines when three Philadelphia women were caught on camera throwing phones, shoes, water bottles and even fast food at airline staff.
In March of 2025, a video went viral of a female flyer named Rachel being dragged away from the airline’s desk after she was removed from a flight before even boarding.
During the incident, which took place on August 30, 2023, authorities quickly grabbed Rachel as she repeatedly screamed: ‘Take me to jail! Take me to jail!,’ before falling to the floor. Officers then tackled and handcuffed her as she continued to shriek.
Two women named Teresa and Tara told the Daily Mail in 2024 that they were told to ‘cover up’ by a male flight attendant on Spirit Airlines
Another woman went viral that same year for recording a video that appeared to show an employee applying tape to the wing of the aircraft before takeoff.
In 2024, two women made headlines after they claimed they were kicked off their Spirit flight by a male flight attendant for wearing crop tops.
Teresa and Tara told the Daily Mail at the time that they were told to ‘cover up’ after taking off their sweaters on the plane.
The airline also took heat for introducing a dress code last year that banned trashy looks.
The rule dictated that a guest ‘shall not be permitted to board the aircraft’ if they are ‘barefoot or inadequately clothed.’
Among the examples of inappropriate travel outfits included are: see-through clothing, exposed breasts, buttocks, or other private parts; lewd, obscene, or offensive clothing and tattoos.
The regulation came after multiple instances of passengers wearing inappropriate attire.
Another instance of a bizarre interaction on a Spirit flight was in July, when a 16-year-old went viral after he made a ‘bomb’ joke referring to his ‘masculinity,’ prompting a police response on the flight.
Desperate attempts to save Spirit
Spirit’s last flight comes after a long battle to save the budget airline. The company has struggled to churn a profit since the pandemic, when travel restrictions were put in place.
Even after restrictions were lifted, travel took a backseat as many Americans faced financial hardship amid a crumbling economy.
Larger airlines were able to bounce back from the pandemic by cutting flights and increasing costs, but Spirit’s reputation for low-budget travel prevented it from doing the same.
The company started bleeding money, losing over $2.5 billion from 2020 to 2024. They reported a negative free cash flow of $1 billion at the end of the second quarter in 2025.
JetBlue and Spirit reached a merger deal in 2024 for $3.8 billion, but guidelines from the Justice Department ended the proposal.
The Justice Department sued to stop the merger, arguing that it would reduce competition and drive up fares. Spirit then filed for bankruptcy again in August of 2025.
Customers have been forced to contact other airlines to rebook flights. A ticket counter at Detroit Metro Airport is pictured above after the announcement
Spirit Airlines CEO Dave Davis, pictured above, said the decision to close operations was ‘tremendously disappointing’ in a statement
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy blamed Spirit’s ultimate demise on the Justice Department’s decision under the Biden administration, writing in a statement: ‘Yet another mess the traveling public has to inherit thanks to the radical policies of Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg.
‘In blocking the Jetblue/Spirit merger in 2024, they turned their backs on the American consumer and our great aviation workforce,’ he continued.
‘Regardless of how we got here, the Trump Administration is committed to taking care of you and your family when you fly. In a matter of hours, we’ve activated our airline partners to ensure passengers are not stranded, communities maintain route access, fares do not skyrocket, and Spirit’s workforce is connected to new job opportunities.’
The Trump administration had previously been in talks to save the airline in bankruptcy court.
The president said on Friday that he was ‘looking’ at a deal and a final proposal was given.
However, a source familiar with the negotiations told CNN that a key group of creditors rejected the plan because it would have given the government a majority control of Spirit’s shares.
Spirit filed for bankruptcy twice before ceasing all operations on Saturday. A merger with JetBlue also failed in 2024 to save the airline
Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy blamed the Biden administration in a statement after news broke that Spirit would be disbanding. He’s pictured above at a summit in March
The AFA had initiated a campaign to save the airline. The union shared several flight attendants’ stories on Friday to advocate for the deal.
Darlene, a flight attendant with Spirit for four years, said being a flight attendant allowed her to support her household and care for her 81-year-old mom.
‘Every flight, I try to make a real impact; whether that’s helping a nervous passenger feel safe, creating a moment of joy for someone who needs it, or just showing up for my crew on long, challenging days,’ she said.
‘Spirit Airlines provides opportunities for people like me to build a life, support our families, and serve communities that rely on affordable travel.’
