Spirit Airlines shuts down after 34 years, leaving travelers stranded

Spirit Airlines has abruptly shut down after decades of operation, citing rising costs and debt. The collapse leaves thousands of workers and travelers impacted and could worsen travel challenges for Haitians relying on affordable flights.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Spirit Airlines, an impish upstart that shook the industry with its irreverent ads and deep discount fares, announced Saturday that it has gone out of business after 34 years.

The ultralow cost airline that once operated hundreds of daily flights on its bright yellow planes and employed about 17,000 people said it had “started an orderly wind-down of our operations, effective immediately.”

Although Spirit had gone bankrupt twice before, the company said high oil prices, which have been rising because of the war with Iran, made it impossible to stay aloft.

The airline said on its site that all flights have been canceled and customer service is no longer available. Some passengers arrived Saturday for flights and were stunned to find them canceled, while workers learned overnight they were out of jobs.

“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,” Spirit’s announcement said.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Saturday that Spirit had a reserve fund set up for customers who bought directly from the airline to get refunds. People who bought from third-party vendors like travel agents would have to seek refunds from them.

Duffy said United, Delta, JetBlue and Southwest were offering $200 one-way flights for people who had Spirit confirmation numbers and proof of purchase for a limited time. Other airlines would also help Spirit employees who might be stranded as well as offering them a preferential application process as they look for work.

Spirit said in a statement it was working to get more than 1,300 crew to their home bases and that the final Spirit flight landed at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport from Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

The company advised customers that they could expect refunds but there would be no help in booking travel on other airlines.

For Haitian travelers, Spirit’s shutdown could carry consequences beyond the immediate disruptions seen in U.S. airports.

Before suspending its Haiti service in 2025 due to security concerns, Spirit was one of the primary low-cost carriers serving South Florida-Cap-Haïtien routes. Its fares often provided one of the most affordable options for the Haitian diaspora traveling between the United States and Haiti.

Haiti’s aviation network remains severely constrained, with U.S. airlines largely absent from Port-au-Prince and limited service in other regions. The loss of a budget airline like Spirit reduces competition and may drive ticket prices higher for travelers who already face limited routes and rising costs.

For many Haitian families, these flights are essential — not only for visits but for maintaining economic and social ties across borders. Spirit’s closure, while rooted in global financial pressures, adds another layer of difficulty for a diaspora navigating an already fragile travel system.

Five Spirit flights were still showing as “on time” on Saturday morning on the departure board in Atlanta. A trickle of passengers who hadn’t heard the news were still showing up.

“What!?” exclaimed Taylor Nantang as she, her husband and four children arrived for a Saturday afternoon Spirit flight from Atlanta to Miami for a spur-of-the-moment vacation.

“So the whole airline at every airport is out of business?” she asked. “Oh my, that’s crazy.”

Other passengers wondered whether the airline would still answer its customer service phone or when refunds for canceled flights might arrive.

Joshua Sigler, who had bought a ticket Friday for a flight Saturday to Miami, said he would return home instead of trying to rebook. “They get you there,” he said. “It was cheap.”

Former Spirit flight attendant Freddy Peterson said he learned about the shutdown early Saturday after finishing a flight the night before.