Spirit Airlines shutting down after 34 years

Passengers were told to expect refunds, but the airline will not assist with rebooking on other carriers.

Published: May 2, 2026 7:11am

Updated: May 2, 2026 7:15am

Spirit Airlines announced on Saturday that it is shutting down after 34 years in operation.

The ultra-low-cost carrier, which once ran hundreds of daily flights on its signature yellow planes and employed roughly 17,000 people, said it has begun an “orderly wind-down” of operations, effective immediately.

According to a notice on the company's website, all flights have been canceled and customer service has been discontinued.

“We are proud of the impact of our ultra-low-cost model on the industry over the last 34 years and had hoped to serve our guests for many years to come,” the company said in a statement.

Passengers were told to expect refunds, but the airline will not assist with rebooking on other carriers.

The Trump administration had explored the possibility of a bailout to keep the struggling airline afloat, but no agreement was ultimately reached.

JetBlue and Spirit had planned a $3.8 billion merger during the Biden administration but a federal judge blocked the move. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., was an outspoken critic of the merger at the time. 
 

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