Know
Spirit Airlines is out of business, effective today
The no-frills carrier filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy status in 2024 and again in 2025.
South Florida-based Spirit Airlines will cease all operations today, following extensive efforts to restructure the business. Locally, all flights in and out of Tampa International Airport have been canceled.
“Despite the Company’s efforts, the recent material increase in oil prices and other pressures on the business have significantly impacted Spirit’s financial outlook,” officials said in today’s announcement. “With no additional funding available to the Company, Spirit had no choice but to begin this wind-down.”
Mounting pressure from competitors offering similar no-frills, low-cost flights caused Spirit to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy status in 2024 and again in 2025.
The airline ceases operations with $2.4 billion in long-term debt.
“Sustaining the business required hundreds of millions of additional dollars of liquidity that Spirit simply does not have and could not procure,” President and CEO said in today’s prepared statement. “This is tremendously disappointing and not the outcome any of us wanted.”
The airline had hoped for a $500 million federal bailout, which did not materialize.
Spirit will automatically process refunds for flights purchased directly through the airline with a credit or debit card. Refunds for flights booked through a travel agent are available through the agent.
Compensation for guests who booked flights using any other methods, including a voucher, credit or Free Spirit points, “will be determined at a later date through the bankruptcy process,” according to today’s statement.
Guests are directed to this link for more information about the airline’s wind-down process.
Hugh Hazeltine
May 3, 2026at6:48 am
This is a brutal business. In a 41 year career, I worked for two airlines that went out of business and a third that went into bankruptcy but survived. The business requires huge capital expenses, risk taking, and the ability to predict future demand for seats. The dispatchers, ground handlers, gate agents, mechanics, flight attendants, and pilots have all been through these kinds of trials to work in this industry. Think about that on your next flight.