Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines Airbus A320neo
IATA ICAO Call sign
NK NKS SPIRIT WINGS
Founded1964 (as Clippert Trucking Company)
Commenced operations
  • 1983 (as Charter One Airlines)
  • May 29, 1992 (1992-05-29) (as Spirit Airlines)
Ceased operations
May 2, 2026 (2026-05-02)
AOC #GTIA770S
Operating bases
Free Spirit
Fleet size131 (December 2025)
Destinations73 (at closing)
Parent companySpirit Aviation Holdings (2025–2026)
Traded asNYSE: SAVE
HeadquartersDania Beach, Florida, U.S.
Key peopleDave Davis (president and CEO at closure)
RevenueDecrease US$3.797 billion (2025)
Operating incomeIncrease −US$768.710 million (2025)
Net incomeDecrease −US$2.760 billion (2025)
Total assetsDecrease US$5.993 billion (2025)
Total equityDecrease −US$2.092 billion (2025)
EmployeesDecrease 7,482 (2025)
Website

Spirit Airlines was an American ultra-low-cost airline headquartered in Dania Beach, Florida. It operated scheduled flights throughout the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America. In 2023, it was the seventh-largest passenger carrier in North America and the region's largest ultra-low-cost carrier. Spirit ceased all scheduled flight operations on May 2, 2026.

Spirit was founded in 1964 as a trucking company before transitioning to charter flights in 1983 and adopting the Spirit Airlines name in 1992. The company became known for introducing and expanding the ultra-low-cost carrier model in the United States, offering comparatively low base fares supplemented by additional charges for optional services. This approach supported its expansion among price-conscious leisure travelers but also left the airline sensitive to changes in operating costs and consumer demand. During the 2020s, Spirit faced increasing competition as legacy carriers expanded their basic economy offerings, while labor, aircraft, and operating costs rose.

In 2022, Frontier Airlines reached an agreement to acquire Spirit, but Spirit subsequently accepted a competing acquisition proposal from JetBlue. The proposed JetBlue merger was blocked by a federal judge in January 2024 following an antitrust lawsuit brought by the United States Department of Justice and several state attorneys general. The airlines subsequently terminated their merger agreement in March 2024.

Spirit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2024 and emerged from its initial financial restructuring in March 2025. As part of the reorganization, Spirit Airlines, Inc. was converted into Spirit Airlines, LLC, becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the newly established Spirit Aviation Holdings, Inc. The company subsequently filed for Chapter 11 protection for a second time on August 29, 2025, amid continued financial and operational pressures.

On May 2, 2026, Spirit announced the immediate cessation of all flight operations following unsuccessful efforts to secure additional financing, including discussions regarding potential federal financial assistance. The company cited a material increase in oil prices and other business pressures as contributing factors in its decision. All scheduled flights were canceled effective immediately, ending more than three decades of operations under the Spirit Airlines name. The company subsequently began an orderly wind-down and liquidation of its aircraft and other assets under bankruptcy court supervision.

History

From Clippert Trucking Company to Charter One Airlines

The company began in 1964 as Clippert Trucking Company. In 1974, it changed its name to Ground Air Transfer, Inc. In 1983, Ned Homfeld founded Charter One Airlines in Macomb County, Michigan, as a Detroit-based charter tour operator offering travel packages to destinations including Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and the Bahamas.

1990s: Spirit Airlines, headquarters moved to Florida

McDonnell Douglas DC-9 in 1998, painted in Spirit's first livery used from 1992 until 2002

In May 1992, the company introduced McDonnell Douglas DC-9 and McDonnell Douglas MD-80 jet aircraft and changed its name to Spirit Airlines. Spirit expanded from charter operations into scheduled service on June 1, 1992, with flights between Detroit and Atlantic City. Flights from Boston and Providence to Atlantic City followed on June 15. Through 1994, Spirit added scheduled service to Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and St. Petersburg, Florida, Atlantic City and Fort Myers, Florida, and Philadelphia.

Spirit initially maintained its headquarters in the Kennedy Building in Eastpointe, Michigan, formerly East Detroit, in Metro Detroit. In December 1999, the airline moved its headquarters to Miramar, Florida. Before selecting Miramar, Spirit also considered Atlantic City and Detroit.

In the summer of 1994, Spirit canceled tickets for 1,400 customers following an overbooking incident. According to the airline, the issue resulted from incorrect instructions provided to travel agents, which caused some tickets to be treated as invalid despite customers having paid for them. In response to criticism, Spirit stated that it would accommodate all ticketed passengers, including by booking them on competing airlines if necessary.

In 1996, Janet Patton became Spirit Airlines' first female pilot. She became the airline's first female captain in 1998.

2000s: Baldanza, ultra low-cost carrier, Caribbean

Airbus A319-100 in the grayscale livery used from 2002 until 2007

In 2005, Ben Baldanza was hired as president. Following an investment by Indigo Partners in 2006, Baldanza became CEO and assumed a larger role in the airline's operations and strategy. Under Baldanza, Spirit adopted an ultra-low-cost carrier business model modeled in part on Ireland's Ryanair, emphasizing very low base fares supplemented by additional fees for nearly every service.

While this strategy received significant media criticism, the airline continued to expand its customer base and revenue from optional services. Spirit also became known for advertising campaigns and promotional fares that used provocative humor and double entendres, including its "MILF" promotion, which stood for "Many Islands, Low Fares".

Spirit rapidly expanded its network throughout the 2000s, including service to destinations in the United States and the Caribbean, and filed applications for additional international routes, but the airline's focus on high aircraft utilization in an effort to keep operating costs down contributed to weak operational reliability and limited recovery options during disruptions.

The airline also faced regulatory and labor developments, including a 2000 Federal Aviation Administration fine for aircraft marking and placarding violations, and a 2010 pilot strike that temporarily grounded operations from June 10 to 18.

2010s: Increased competition, two CEO changes

Airbus A320-200 in the blue livery used from 2007 until 2014

Spirit Airlines introduced a fee for carry-on baggage in 2010, the first U.S. airline to do so. Other U.S. ultra-low-cost carriers, including Allegiant Air and Frontier Airlines, later adopted similar charges. In 2012, the airline faced public criticism after declining to refund a fare to a terminally ill military veteran who had purchased a nonrefundable ticket. Spirit later issued an apology, refunded the fare, and made a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project.

During this period, Spirit faced increased competition from basic economy fares introduced by the legacy carriers, which incorporated elements of the ULCC model by offering low base fares supplemented with fees. Delta Air Lines introduced basic economy fares in 2012, and by the end of the decade all of the U.S. legacy carriers had implemented similar fare products. The strategy proved effective, as many passengers shifted toward legacy carriers when basic economy fares were competitively priced, drawn by broader route networks, higher frequency, and perceptions of better reliability and service.

Former AirTran Airways CEO Robert Fornaro succeeded Baldanza as CEO in 2016 and introduced initiatives aimed at improving operational performance and customer service, including collaboration with the Disney Institute. During this period, Spirit continued to expand its network and maintained its ancillary fee-based pricing model. By 2017, Spirit's on-time performance had improved compared with earlier years, ranking among U.S. carriers by that metric. In 2018, the airline began equipping its fleet with Wi-Fi service.

Ted Christie succeeded Fornaro as CEO in January 2019 and led Spirit to make significant capital investment announcements in 2019, including that it would move into a newly built headquarters in Dania Beach, Florida, and acquire 100 new Airbus A320neo family aircraft.

2020s: Decline and bankruptcy

Airbus A321neo in the yellow livery used from 2014 until 2026

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Spirit Airlines received $334 million in assistance through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act in the form of grants and loans. However, since CARES Act funds were allocated based on employment levels in mid-2019, companies experiencing rapid pre-pandemic growth, including Spirit, did not receive the same level of support as more stable competitors. The funds were used to support payroll through September 30, 2020. In July 2020, the company announced plans to place 20–30% of employees on furlough beginning in October. Some pilots and flight attendants later accepted voluntary leave or reduced schedules to limit layoffs.

During the post-pandemic recovery, Spirit faced increased competition as legacy carriers expanded basic economy fares and added capacity. Spirit also faced higher labor costs as airlines increased compensation to attract and retain pilots following pandemic-related retirements. The company never posted a profit after 2019.

In August 2023, the airline converted an order for 31 Airbus A319neo into the larger A321neo. Spirit's order had made up a third of all A319neo orders, briefly putting the type's future in question.

In January 2025, Spirit Airlines laid off 200 employees as part of cost reduction measures. In April 2025, Spirit Airlines exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy and appointed Dave Davis as CEO.

Attempted mergers and bankruptcy

Since 2022, various competing low-cost airlines announced plans to acquire Spirit. In February 2022, Frontier Airlines announced its intention to acquire Spirit, pending regulatory approval, with Frontier Airlines stock as the surviving entity. The deal would have made the combined airline the fifth-largest airline in the U.S. In July 2022, Spirit's shareholders rejected Frontier's offer.

In April 2022, JetBlue proposed to acquire Spirit for $33 per share in cash, equivalent to $3.6 billion. In May, Spirit said its board of directors had decided not to consider JetBlue's proposal. According to Spirit Airlines, JetBlue's proposed acquisition would be unlikely to be approved by the U.S. Department of Justice's Antitrust Division, because it would likely believe that an ultra-low-cost carrier being purchased by a higher-fare airline would increase fares for consumers. Spirit noted that the Antitrust Division was looking into JetBlue's strategic partnership with American Airlines for the same reason.

That July, JetBlue reached an agreement to purchase Spirit for $33.50 per share, with additional inducements for Spirit shareholders. The deal would have made the unified company the fifth-largest airline based in the United States. Spirit shareholders voted to approve the deal but the Department of Justice sued to block it, alleging that the merger would result in "higher fares, fewer seats, and harm millions of consumers". The trial began in October 2023, and at its conclusion, a federal judge blocked JetBlue's acquisition of Spirit Airlines on January 16, 2024, stating that the deal was anticompetitive towards other airline corporations and would harm consumers. As a result, Spirit Airlines' stock fell by approximately 47% and the airline expressed concern over its future. Speculators predicted that Spirit may have to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, followed by a liquidation process, if the airline could not come up with a growth plan. However, on January 18, Spirit denied these speculations, saying that the company has no plans to file for bankruptcy and was looking for new plans to maintain its future. JetBlue ended its takeover attempt on March 4, 2024, after federal judge William G. Young ruled the move would reduce competition.

In November 2024, Spirit announced that it was preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company's stock dropped over 50%, and quarterly results were not to be revealed due to the announcement. On November 18, it filed for Chapter 11, listing assets and liabilities between $1 billion and $10 billion. The company blamed mounting losses, failed merger agreements, increasing debt, and high competition. The company was to continue operating through the bankruptcy, from which it expected to emerge by the beginning of 2025. As a result of the bankruptcy filing, Spirit Airlines was delisted from the NYSE.

Frontier Airlines again offered to purchase the airline in January. Spirit rejected the offer of $2.1 billion in stock and cash, which would have also required Spirit's creditors to invest $350 million. The offer was significantly lower than the $2.9 billion merger deal the airlines had announced in early 2022. Despite rejecting the initial offer, Spirit said it would welcome further negotiations with Frontier.

By the spring of 2025, Spirit had emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after finalizing its debt and having its take-private bankruptcy plan approved in February. However, in August, Spirit announced that it was running short of cash and may not be able to stay in business for another year. On August 29, 2025, it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in less than a year, as part of a plan to reduce its fleet and stabilize its position.

To combat the airline's financial issues, Spirit began a series of layoffs. In September, Spirit announced it was planning to furlough one-third of its flight attendants—affecting around 1,800 people. The announcement came a week after the company said it planned to reduce flying capacity by 25% in its November schedule. In October, Spirit Airlines revealed further details of its "shrink-to-shine" restructuring plan, including a plan to furlough 365 pilots and downgrade up to 170 additional pilots in the first quarter of 2026 as part of broader efforts to restore profitability, including a projected net profit of $219 million in 2027.

On April 15, 2026, reports indicated that Spirit Airlines was at risk of imminent liquidation as surging jet fuel prices—driven sharply higher by the 2026 Iran war—deepened the carrier's already severe financial distress. The conflict‑related spike in global oil markets pushed fuel costs to levels that Spirit's ultra‑low‑cost model could not absorb, compounding the airline's ongoing losses from high debt, labor expenses, and intense fare competition. By April 18, the airline was actively seeking a federal bailout in an effort to avoid liquidation, and later that month the Trump administration said it was considering acquiring a controlling stake in the company.

End of operations

Spirit check-in kiosk at Detroit Metropolitan Airport informing passengers of Spirit's closure

The airline ceased operations on May 2, 2026, at 3:00 a.m. EDT after bailout negotiations between its creditors and the Trump administration collapsed. The airline blamed sharply rising fuel costs associated with the 2026 Iran war for the shutdown decision, though the carrier was already in a weakened financial position following years of losses, failed merger attempts, and two Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings. The final Spirit Airlines flight landed in Dallas–Fort Worth shortly after midnight on May 2, 2026, after its trip from Detroit.

Spirit said that it would automatically issue refunds for tickets customers had purchased directly from the airline, but that tickets purchased through third-party booking platforms were subject to separate refund processes. Following the shutdown, several airlines introduced discounted "rescue fares" for affected passengers, and U.S. carriers extended travel accommodations to Spirit employees seeking to return home and, in some cases, offered or pledged to offer expedited or priority consideration in hiring. Former employees have proposed a class action suit, claiming the airline did not provide proper notice of termination as required by the WARN Act.

Several Spirit pilots were mobilized to move former Spirit aircraft to long-term storage by Nomadic Aviation Group.

In August 2026, Google won a bankruptcy auction for a de-identified archive of Spirit Airlines' internal business data, including employee and workplace data, with a bid of $10 million; Mercor was named the alternate bidder at $7.5 million. The sale requires the approval of the bankruptcy court; as of November 2026 it had not been approved, and the hearing on it had been adjourned to November 17, 2026. The Association of Flight Attendants filed a lawsuit against the sale, arguing that it failed to protect employees' personally identifying information. On 8 October 2026, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers led by Representative Steven Horsford and Senator Elizabeth Warren raised privacy concerns about Google's proposed $10 million purchase of Spirit Airlines' internal data for artificial intelligence training citing records included approximately 100 million emails, 500 million Microsoft Teams messages and employee information, and warned that de-identification might not adequately protect workers' privacy.

Corporate affairs

The key trends for Spirit Airlines were (as of the end of the calendar year):

Year Revenue,
in million US$		 Net profit/(loss),
in million US$		 Employees
(FTE)		 Passengers
(in millions)		 Load factor
(%)		 Aircraft Ref.
2010 781 73 2,192 7.0 82.1 32
2011 1,071 77 2,456 8.5 85.6 37
2012 1,318 109 2,767 10.4 85.2 52
2013 1,654 177 3,224 12.4 86.6 54
2014 1,932 225 3,722 14.3 86.7 65
2015 2,141 317 4,326 17.9 84.7 79
2016 2,320 263 5,159 21.6 84.7 95
2017 2,644 416 6,100 24.2 83.1 112
2018 3,323 156 7,110 29.3 83.9 128
2019 3,831 335 8,938 34.5 84.4 145
2020 1,810 (429) 8,756 18.4 69.7 157
2021 3,230 (473) 9,218 30.8 78.8 173
2022 5,068 (554) 11,107 38.5 81.9 194
2023 5,362 (447) 12,798 44.1 81.3 205
2024 4,812 (1,230) 11,331 44.2 82.4 213
2025 3,720 (2,833) 7,482 32.0 78.4 131

Ownership

Spirit Airlines, Inc., was a Delaware corporation that was publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange until its bankruptcy filing in 2024.

Headquarters

In 2019, the airline announced that it would move to new headquarters of up to 500,000 square feet (46,000 m2) in the Dania Pointe development in Dania Beach, Florida, spending $250 million. The airline anticipated the facility would house 1,000 employees. The Dania Pointe headquarters opened for business in April 2024.

Previously, Spirit had been headquartered at 2800 Executive Way, Miramar, Florida, having moved there from its previous Eastpointe location in 1999. As of 2016, there were 600 employees located in the office. Chris Sloan of Airways Magazine stated that the building was "nondescript low slung". Sloan added that the interior, prior to a 2014 renovation, was, "To put it charitably, [...] a dump", but that employees felt ownership over the office.

Following Spirit's closure, the Broward County Board of County Commissioners voted in May 2026 to explore purchasing the building.

On August 13, 2026, DPC HoldCo, an affiliate of Boston-based investment firm, Hill City Capital, bought the Spirit HQ for 93.25 million dollars in cash after the bid submission got accepted as part of the auction hosted on August 11th.

Business model

A Spirit check-in counter at O'Hare International Airport in 2014. As an ultra low-cost carrier, Spirit charged fees for many services, including printing boarding passes with an agent and checking luggage.

Under CEO Ben Baldanza, Spirit began a transition to an ultra low-cost carrier, following a fare model involving charging for amenities often included in the base ticket price of traditional carriers. Passengers who wanted to customize their itinerary or seat selection paid an add-on fee for each additional feature, enabling the carrier to earn ancillary revenue in excess of 40% of total revenue. These included having an agent print a boarding pass at check-in versus doing it online or at a kiosk, fees for large carry-on or checked bags, and progressive fees for overweight bags, selected seat assignments, travel insurance and more.

Frequent-flyer program

Spirit Airlines had a three-tier frequent-flyer program called Free Spirit.

Controversy

Spirit Airlines had been the subject of numerous complaints, and punitive actions by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Most of the claims against the company were for allegations of deceptive advertising practices, customer service, and the airline's charging additional fees at the time of purchase as a matter of policy:

  • In November 2011, the DOT fined Spirit $43,900 for alleged deceptive advertising practices. The complaint claimed that the airline had been running an advertising campaign which promoted specific discounted fares on billboards, posters, and Twitter, but did not disclose full details of extra fees charged in addition to the advertised rates.
  • In January 2012, the DOT fined Spirit $100,000 for mishandling complaints related to its treatment of customers with disabilities.
  • In 2013 and 2015, the DOT received more passenger complaints about Spirit than any other airline. The rate of complaints was "dramatically higher" than the overall rate for the industry.
  • In February 2018, a 21-year-old passenger flushed her hamster down a toilet in an airport bathroom, after the company refused to let her take the hamster on the flight. The passenger was misinformed by a reservation representative that she could bring the emotional support animal. She said that a flight attendant suggested that she flush the hamster down the toilet, which the airline denied.
  • On August 3, 2021, Spirit Airlines canceled 40% of its flights, leaving travelers stranded because it had no arrangements with other airlines to book its passengers on other airlines' flights. Spirit Airlines said, "We're working around the clock to get back on track in the wake of some travel disruptions over the weekend due to a series of weather and operational challenges. We needed to make proactive cancellations to some flights across the network, but the majority of flights are still scheduled as planned." By August 10, the schedule was stabilizing.
  • In June 2023, a passenger was forced to urinate on the floor of a galley after cabin crew persistently denied her bathroom access for over two hours. The flight attendant filmed the incident and called the smell of her urine offensive.

Destinations

US states, countries and dependencies served by Spirit Airlines prior to bankruptcy.

Spirit's route network combined extensive domestic service within the United States with international leisure routes across Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. International destinations included Cancún, Bogotá, Medellín, Lima, San José, San Juan, and Santo Domingo.

Interline agreements

Spirit had interline agreements with French Bee and Norse Atlantic Airways.

Fleet

Final fleet

As of December 2025, the final Spirit Airlines fleet consisted of an all-Airbus A320 family fleet. Spirit operated the following aircraft at the time of ceasing operations:

Aircraft In service Orders Passengers Notes
J W Y Total
Airbus A320-200 62 — 8 42 126 176
12 156
Airbus A320neo 19 — 8 42 126 176
12 156
Airbus A321-200 29 — 8 12 209 229
Airbus A321neo 21 — 8 42 179 229
Total 131 —

Historical fleet

Throughout its history, Spirit Airlines operated the following aircraft types:

Spirit Airlines historical fleet
Aircraft Total Introduced Retired Replacement
Airbus A319-100 35 2005 2025 Airbus A320neo family
McDonnell Douglas DC-9-20 3 1995 1997 None
McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 13 1992 2003 McDonnell Douglas MD-80
McDonnell Douglas DC-9-40 2 1996
McDonnell Douglas MD-81 6 1999 2005 Airbus A320 family
McDonnell Douglas MD-82 15 1997 2007
McDonnell Douglas MD-83 15 1998 2010
McDonnell Douglas MD-87 1 2003

Accidents and incidents

Notes

  1. ↑ Website used following Spirit Airlines' cessation of flight operations.
  2. ↑ The operating company, formerly Spirit Airlines, Inc., was converted into Spirit Airlines, LLC in March 2025. The legal entity continued to exist following the airline's cessation of flight operations.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Chokshi, Niraj (May 2, 2026). "Spirit Airlines, a Pioneer of Low-Fare Flights, Shuts Down". The New York Times. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Spirit Airlines Begins Orderly Wind-Down of Operations". Spirit Airlines. May 2, 2026. Retrieved October 1, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Federal Aviation Administration – Airline Certificate Information – Detail View". av-info.faa.gov. Archived from the original on August 2, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Spirit Airlines to Open New Crew Base for Pilots at Newark Liberty International Airport". Archived from the original on September 14, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Spirit Airlines Hub System". Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Join – Free Spirit". Spirit Airlines. Archived from the original on February 9, 2019. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2025 (Report). Spirit Aviation Holdings, Inc. March 16, 2026. Retrieved October 1, 2026.
  8. ↑ Rosalsky, Greg (April 29, 2026). "Spirit Airlines tried to be the Dollar General of the skies. Then the big airlines beat it at its own game". NPR. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Justice Department Statements on JetBlue Terminating Acquisition of Spirit Airlines". United States Department of Justice. March 4, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2026.
  10. ↑ Madhani, Aamer; Yamat, Rio; Amy, Jeff; Catalini, Mike (May 2, 2026). "Spirit Airlines shuts down as company says it can't keep up with higher oil prices". Associated Press. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  11. ↑ Debtors' Motion Regarding Leased Aircraft Fleet Wind-Down (Report). United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. May 4, 2026. Retrieved October 1, 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Spirit Airlines – History" (PDF). Spirit Airlines, Inc. August 1, 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  13. ↑ Nicas, Jack (May 14, 2012). "A Stingy Spirit Lifts Airline's Profit". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Wittkowski, Donald (May 30, 1992). "Small airline expands A.C. flights with jets". The Press of Atlantic City. Atlantic City, New Jersey. p. B7. Retrieved May 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "Spirit expands Fla./A.C. air service". The Press of Atlantic City. Atlantic City, New Jersey. September 5, 1993. p. B5. Retrieved May 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "Atlanta-based line plans Phila. flights". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. April 12, 1994. p. C1. Retrieved May 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ "World Airline Directory". Flight International. March 25–31, 1998. p. 92. Archived from the original on July 18, 2014 – via Flight Global/Archive. Spirit Airlines: 18121 East 8 Mile Road, Eastpointe, 48021, Michigan, USA
  18. ↑ "Spirit Airlines Honored as 'Good Corporate Citizen of the Year'". Miramar Business Appreciation 2003. Business Wire. February 13, 2003. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
  19. ↑ "As the Spirit Moves Them". Sun Sentinel. August 8, 1999. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  20. ↑ Sangiacomo, Michael (June 8, 1994). "Spirit Airlines pledges that anyone with ticket will fly". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio. p. 3-B. Retrieved May 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ Bryant, Paul (April 9, 2021). "Commercial pilot, daughter team up to fly hot air balloons over Denton". Denton Record-Chronicle. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Snyder, Brett (May 4, 2026). "The Spirit is Gone". Cranky Flier. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  23. ↑ Melewar, T. C. (April 10, 2015). Corporate Branding: Areas, arenas and approaches. Routledge. p. 47. ISBN 978-1-317-95091-2.
  24. ↑ "Spirit Continues Latin Expansion From FLL Hub | Aviation Week Network". aviationweek.com. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  25. ↑ "FAA To Fine TWA, Spirit For Violations". aviationweek.com. Archived from the original on April 8, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Ex-employee of Spirit Airlines files suit on maintenance records". Skift. February 17, 2013. Archived from the original on April 8, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Spirit Airlines cancels all flights as pilots go on strike". CNN. June 12, 2010. Archived from the original on June 18, 2010. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  28. ↑ Johnsson, Julie (June 16, 2010). "Spirit, pilots reach deal to end strike". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on June 21, 2010. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Spirit Airlines to Charge New Fee for Carry-On Luggage". ABC News. April 6, 2010. Archived from the original on April 15, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  30. ↑ Gilbertson, Dawn (October 19, 2018). "Flying Spirit, Frontier or Allegiant? Here are 12 things you need to know". USA Today. Archived from the original on January 29, 2019. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Spirit Airlines' final answer to dying Vietnam vet seeking ticket refund: No". Fox News. April 30, 2012. Archived from the original on May 14, 2012. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
  32. ↑ Miller, Joshua Rhett (May 3, 2012). "Spirit Airlines' boss calls industry-high complaint rate 'irrelevant,' says dying veteran should've bought insurance". Fox News. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  33. ↑ Miller, Joshua Rhett (May 4, 2012). "Spirit bows to pressure: Airline CEO to refund dying veteran's fare". Fox News. Archived from the original on May 9, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  34. ↑ Chokshi, Niraj (May 2, 2026). "Spirit Airlines, a Pioneer of Low-Fare Flights, Shuts Down". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  35. ↑ Mayerowitz, Scott (January 5, 2016). "Brash, fee-happy CEO of Spirit Airlines abruptly replaced". AP News. Associated Press. Archived from the original on January 6, 2016. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  36. ↑ Martin, Hugo (November 18, 2017). "Spirit Airlines turns to Disney to improve its customer service". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 8, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  37. ↑ Martin, Grant. "Spirit Airlines Now Delivers More Flights On Time Than American Or United". Forbes. Archived from the original on April 8, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  38. ↑ Fingas, Jon (May 11, 2018). "Spirit is first budget airline in the US to offer WiFi". Engadget. Archived from the original on May 21, 2018. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  39. ↑ "Spirit Airlines picks insider to become next CEO in 2019". TribLIVE.com. The Associated Press. December 13, 2017. Archived from the original on January 3, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  40. ↑ Seemuth, Mike (September 14, 2021). "Spirit Airlines Plans Smaller Headquarters in Dania Beach". The Real Deal. Archived from the original on December 4, 2025. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  41. ↑ "Spirit Airlines to buy 100 Airbus A320neo family aircraft". Reuters. December 23, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  42. ↑ "Spirit Airlines finalises order for 100 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft". Airbus. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  43. ↑ Arrojas, Matthew (July 30, 2020). "Spirit Airlines prepares to furlough 20% to 30% of employees". South Florida Business Journal.
  44. ↑ "Spirit Airlines Reaches Deal With Pilots to Avoid Layoffs". TravelPulse. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  45. ↑ "Hat Spirit Airlines der A319neo den Todesstoß versetzt?" [Did Spirit Airlines deal the death blow to the A319neo?] (in German). aero.de. August 9, 2023.
  46. ↑ Campinoti, Marie Sole (January 16, 2025). "Spirit Airlines cuts 200 jobs amidst bankruptcy scramble". CNN.
  47. ↑ "Spirit Airlines names new CEO after emerging from bankruptcy". CNBC. April 17, 2025.
  48. ↑ "Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines to Combine, Creating America's Most Competitive Ultra-Low Fare Airline" (Press release). Securities and Exchange Commission. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  49. ↑ LeBeau, Phil (February 7, 2022). "Frontier and Spirit to merge creating fifth-largest airline in U.S." CNBC. Archived from the original on November 23, 2024. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  50. ↑ Schaper, David; Hernandez, Joe (February 7, 2022). "Frontier-Spirit merger promises better deals and service; critics aren't so sure". NPR. Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  51. ↑ Chokshi, Niraj (July 27, 2022). "Spirit Airlines and Frontier call off a proposed merger". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on July 27, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  52. ↑ Josephs, Leslie (April 5, 2022). "JetBlue makes all-cash offer for Spirit Airlines, complicating planned Frontier tie-up". CNBC. Archived from the original on November 16, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
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