Spirit Airlines ceased all operations on May 2nd. What comes next?
For 34 years, Spirit was one of air travel’s most talked-about airlines. Known for budget flights with few included amenities, Spirit served the everyday people who needed a value-friendly way to get to family reunions, reunite with loved ones, or take a needed break.
Though sometimes scoffed at for nickel and dining passengers with charges for everything from sea assignments to a can of soda, the airline did right by its passengers where it counted.
A Young Fleet with Seasoned Pilots
Spirit was regarded in the industry as one of the safest airlines flying. It required a minimum of 1,500 flight hours for First Officers and maintained one of the youngest fleets in the U.S., with an average aircraft age of 5.9 years. More admirably, Spirit Airlines had never had a major crash or fatality in its history, although there have been several recorded incidents, such as a turbulence event that resulted in one serious injury, as reported by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in 2019.
Financial Troubles, a Sudden Closure
Unfortunately, Spirit’s finances weren’t as strong as its safety record. The airline filed for bankruptcy in November 2024, just months after celebrating the opening of its 180,000-square-foot headquarters and campus in Dania Beach, which cost approximately $250 million. Spirit emerged from that bankruptcy in early 2025 but filed a second bankruptcy in August 2025. The airline continued to struggle with high fuel costs and falling fare revenue, and ultimately ceased operations at 3 a.m. on May 2nd after talks for a $500 million federal bailout fell through. Broward County Mayor Mark Bogan
Overnight, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport’s Terminal 4 became a ghost town. “For 33 years, Spirit Airlines was a valued airline partner at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), and we’re deeply saddened by its cessation of operations and for the impact its loss will have on its employees and travelers,” said Mark Bogen, Broward County Mayor.
About 17,000 direct and indirect Spirit employees instantly lost their jobs, including more than 1,200 Fort Lauderdale-based flight attendants, according to a representative for the Association of Flight Attendants, the union that represents Spirit flight attendants. Spirit’s employees weren’t the only ones affected in South Florida. Travelers both into and out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport were left stranded for days, with other airlines rushing in to provide alternative flights.
Spirit’s demise was the domino that set off a chain of events that seemed unfathomable just a few weeks ago. That same day, fellow value carrier JetBlue announced it would provide $99 fares to stranded Spirit passengers. Additionally, it expanded its presence at FLL, adding 11 new cities to its route map and 22 additional daily flights to its schedule. Avianca, the national airline of Colombia, also added flights from Fort Lauderdale to Bogotá and Baranquilla.
The Business of Closure
When Spirit ceased operations on May 2, its fleet of 90 bright yellow “flying bananas” was scattered among the airports it served. About two-thirds of the fleet was leased and is in the process of being ferried back to its owners. The remaining 28 planes will eventually be liquidated, along with Spirit’s other assets. In the meantime, eagle-eyed people might have seen some Spirit planes taking off from FLL. These planes were bound for Phoenix, where they will be stored for the foreseeable future.
Broward County Commissioners are considering purchasing the nearly-new Spirit Headquarters, after Commissioner Michael Udine proposed the idea as an alternative to its original plans to construct a new 14-story government center to the cost of more than $663 million. Although the idea to purchase Spirit’s building is in very initial stages, Beoward County Mayor Mark Bogan did allocate $25,000 for outside council to evaluate the potential deal. At this moment, Spirit corporate employees are still in the process of closing down an airline, and a visit to the Dania Beach campus saw employees stll coming in and out of the building.
Go Fund Me
Airplanes and buildings don’t need happy endings. People do. Although Spirit Airlines promised its employees immediate compensation for hours worked in its “transition letter”, many say they haven’t received their pay yet. A class-action lawsuit was filed in the Southern District of New York claiming that the airline violated the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, which required at least 60 days of advance notice for major layoffs, with plaintiffs seeking 60 days of wages and benefits.
Many former employees have started GoFundMe campaigns. One campaign, started to help the 267 ramp agents who were laid off, states, “We were the people behind the scenes, the ones most passengers never saw. We worked in the blazing Florida heat, heavy rain, lightning delays, and exhausting overnight shifts to keep flights moving safely and on time. We loaded bags, marshaled aircraft, operated heavy equipment, handled cargo, and worked under constant pressure to make sure families made it home, vacations happened, and flights departed safely every single day.”
Spirit 2.0?
In the midst of the chaos, one man has started a grassroots campaign that would help Spirit rise from its ashes. Voiceover actor Hunter Peterson started a “Let’s Buy Spirit” campaign. Whether initially in jest, Peterson’s plea struck a major chord. As of May 9, 371,552 people pledged a total of $337 million to purchase Spirit Airlines under the premise that each person who contributes funds would receive one voting share in the airline, with profits shared proportionally according to the amount of capital invested. The website, letsbuyspiritair.com, initially crashed due to demand. The pledges, it’s important to note, are non-binding and require no actual investment, with Peterson warning his followers that there are already scam accounts asking for real currency.
Don’t be quick to write off the Spirit 2.0 model. Peterson has secured a legal fund to vet the feasibility of this idea. He’s been speaking with Spirit Flight Attendants’ Union representatives who have relayed their support for the idea. South Florida Business & Wealth reached out to the would-be airline CEO, but Peterson has repeatedly said he would not speak to media outlets at this time. If Peterson’s idea works, Fort Lauderdale’s airspace could once again be filled with flying bananas. This time around, let’s hope the sodas and peanuts are complimentary.
