Exploring the (now-dead) Spirit Airlines Network

Fri, 22 May 2026 21:54:54 -0700

On May 2nd, Spirit Airlines permanently ceased operations. The airline, which had been the seventh-largest in the US, leaves behind 172 planes (many of which are currently being ferried back to their lessors) and 73 destinations.

It’s those destinations I’m most curious about - what will happen to them when Spirit exits?

While Spirit may have been a terminally flawed business, boxed out by labor costs and the “k-shaped” economic recovery following the pandemic, it did have a genuine role in the US aviation world as a low-fare spill carrier, keeping more premium competitors honest on cost and capacity. This role benefited American consumers, even if they didn’t fly on Spirit directly.

Transportation on Conor McLaughlin

Exploring the (now-dead) Spirit Airlines Network