Spirit Airlines

The collapse of Spirit Airlines isn't the only curveball confronting people planning summer trips. Rising jet fuel costs tied to the Iran war have pushed up airfares and associated fees across the industry. Two of the remaining U.S. budget carriers just finalized a merger. The developments illustrate how difficult it's gotten for low-cost airlines to operate while squeezed by jet fuel prices, changing consumer preferences and competition.

On WLRN’s “South Florida Roundup” show, a Spirit Airlines flight attendant talks about the demise of the airline and its impact on thousands of his fellow colleagues.

When Spirit Airlines stopped flying last weekend, it left more than 90 planes scattered across the country. Many will go back to the companies that own them, while Spirit tries to monetize the rest.

Among large airports, Tampa, Orlando, Miami and Fort Lauderdale were among the most affordable from which to travel, according to an April analysis.

Spirit was the dominant airline at the Fort Lauderdale airport. It was responsible for a third of passenger traffic and 13% of Broward County’s aviation revenue. Spirit’s one-time merger partner, JetBlue, has moved the fastest, announcing expanded service at FLL.

Once worth as much as roughly $5.5 billion on the stock market, the Broward County-based airline known for its bright yellow planes said Saturday it had shut down after its final flight departed from Detroit and landed safely in Dallas.

In the wake of Spirit Airlines shutting down, American Airlines announced Saturday emergency measures to assist thousands of stranded Spirit passengers and displaced Spirit employees from the Miramar-based ultra-low-cost carrier.

Spirit Airlines is preparing to stop flying. But the timing of a final decision is uncertain, The Wall Street Journal reports. President Donald Trump, however, says he’s still looking at a taxpayer-funded takeover of Spirit Airlines.

Spirit Airlines helped pioneer ultra-cheap flying and soared. Then legacy airlines copied them, outmaneuvered them with loyalty programs, and the economy turned against their core customers.

Spirit has not confirmed a liquidation, though it has filed for bankruptcy protection twice. Experts predict rising fuel costs could push the company to close its doors for good.

Broward County-based Spirit Airlines has a deal with most of its lenders to emerge from its second bankruptcy in less than a year. It pins its hopes on flying fewer planes to return to operating profitability in 2027.

Spirit Airlines says it plans to furlough 1,800 flight attendants before the end of the year. starting Dec. 1 to match staffing with expected flight demand during its second bankruptcy in a year. The cash-strapped budget carrier said Monday that it made the “difficult decision” to put cabin crew members on temporary leave to match staffing needs with expected flight demand during Spirit’s second bankruptcy filing in a year.