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Low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines, which had been struggling for years, ceased operations in the early morning of May 2.
The airline has filed for bankruptcy twice since 2024, seeking to emerge as a leaner, more competitive operation. But the combination of rising fuel costs and changes in the industry proved too much to overcome.
The airline's official website has a notice saying they've "started an orderly wind-down of our operations, effective immediately."
"To our Guests: all flights have been cancelled, and customer service is no longer available. We are proud of the impact of our ultra-low-cost model on the industry over the last 33 years and had hoped to serve our Guests for many years to come," the statement continued.
For those who planned on flying with Spirit in the near future, this is quite a blow, as that means cancelations and changes of plans. The good news is that for most travelers who paid by credit or debit card, refunds are being processed automatically.
However, for loyalty program members who used Free Spirit® loyalty points, travel credits, or vouchers to book a flight with Spirit, the situation is more uncertain. In these cases, compensation will not be handled like standard refunds. In case of bankruptcy, those will be determined through the bankruptcy court process, which can be a lengthy and uncertain process. That means customers who booked using points, vouchers, or credits will have to arm themselves with patience.
Those who had a booked flight with Spirit directly through their website with a credit or debit card should automatically receive refunds to their original form of payment. Those who booked via travel agents should contact the travel agent directly to request a refund.
For more information, affected travelers can visit Spirit Airlines' website. Customers can check their refund status and find answers to frequently asked questions there.
