Goodbye Spirit Airlines. It’s been fun
Posted by militaryrat155@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 205 comments
Thank you for all the dirt cheap flights while I was in college. Clear skies and tailwinds
Kylearean@reddit
TIL that Continental no longer exists... guess I should read the news more often.
ThatOneGayDJ@reddit
*Its been 14 years*
102Mich@reddit
Yep, thank goodness and what a good riddance to that ULCC. I'd love to see all of the LCCs and ULCCs be eliminated so that the only carriers left are the big Legacy Carriers.
militaryrat155@reddit (OP)
Are you crazy? ULCCs and LCCs encourage market competition. If only major/legacy carriers are left, demand will far exceed supply allowing majors/legacy carriers to charge whatever they want for flights
102Mich@reddit
LCCs and ULCCs will be irrelevant sooner than later; only the big players (Delta, United, and American) will survive, as they'll feed on the smaller carriers for lunch!
militaryrat155@reddit (OP)
This is not true. Industry diversification is good for everybody from the customers to the employees. I’m guessing you don’t work in the aviation industry but we are very union heavy. More competition means the unions have better contract arguments as every company tries to one up one another. If you have 3 big companies with no competition it will be a race to the bottom
Zilox@reddit
Lmao ULCC and LCCs are the reason why some flights dont include free checked bags ffs. They realized "hey! Some people like flying only with carry on, so make this optional and charge em a fuck ton now"
Aishas_Star@reddit
Need to add Ansett into that mix. They were a main carrier in Australia and at their height was our second-biggest airline. When they went tits up in 2001 it was a huge deal
hgwelz@reddit
grumpyfan@reddit
The loss of all those Caribbean flights is going to hurt some of those destinations for tourists and for those who live there.
JetsLag@reddit
Hey, they have JetBlue
reads the headlines
...for a little while
a_berdeen@reddit
JetBlue ticket prices have straight up increased 50-80% overnight with spirit gone in my country.
Prudent_Bandicoot_87@reddit
No it won’t other carriers can now take a spot where they we’re .
grumpyfan@reddit
Sure, some will but it won’t happen overnight. Takes time to get approved. Probably take several months.
Prudent_Bandicoot_87@reddit
No new carriers at fuel Prices . Good riddance unsafe airline should have never been allowed to Operate .!treated customer like crap .
grumpyfan@reddit
Safest airline flying for the last 35 years. Not a single plane lost due to accident or failure.
palmarni@reddit
I know a lot of folks who tool Spirit from Fort Lauderdale to Montego for weekend trips countless times a year. Because the flights were mad cheap and quick.
TheSmartDog_275@reddit
Didn’t know they fly deep into South America.
NoYOUGrowUp@reddit
*Flew
B777X_787-9@reddit
So many people who live on a budget were able to fly thanks to Spirit Airlines.Farewell, buddy.
Prez_Det@reddit
What are you talking about? Spirit go stupid expensive lately. I can't remember the last time I flew from Detroit to Ft.lauderdale for less than $250 round trip. Even higher on Easter or Christmas. High prices on a cargo plane.
srsnyder90@reddit
Of course flights will be more expensive around major holidays. What do you expect happens when demand is higher?
$250 is not a bad price..
polytique@reddit
I see $130. Regardless, this is really cheap for a 3-hour flight.
Leliaj@reddit
Very outdated map. Spirit pulled out of Denver like 3 years ago
under_psychoanalyzer@reddit
3 years ago is only "very outdated" if you're a may fly.
gcalfred7@reddit
Pam Am is here....kinda lol...
julias-winston@reddit
I also loved NWA, but we're all getting old.
engiknitter@reddit
That acronym means something quite different in my brain
foosgreg@reddit
Haha that took me longer than it should have …
tigernet_1994@reddit
The old 747-400s. I flew them in 87 when they first came out.
Far_Breakfast_5808@reddit
It's missing ExpressJet and several others like Independence Air and World Airways (which I know was mostly a charter carrier, but still).
And how can you forget about Eastern?
Western-Knightrider@reddit
How about Western Airlines, it was great!
taint_tattoo@reddit
I still have a set of Eastern wings that I got from a FA back in the 70s.
Kevin-747-400-2206@reddit
I mean Eastern technically was brought back to life and is still operating, but yeah they should be with the others.
redsox1804@reddit
I wouldn’t count the new Eastern. They’re a charter airline that happens to use the same name
ActualSupervillain@reddit
The new Eastern bought the assets to one of my previous jobs and we all got a week's notice that we were ceasing operations.
Rip to Spirit, hope everybody ends up at a job with good benefits with even better pay. That shit sucks.
Drunkenaviator@reddit
Also missing TSA
Cute_Flatworm_9049@reddit
Thirty-four years of bright yellow planes that made flying possible for people who otherwise couldn’t afford it. And an end of an era for the bare-bones, no-frills, “you-get-what-you-pay-for” experiment in American aviation. 💛 You will be missed 🥺
No_Anteater_58@reddit
I wish they would have taken that offer from Frontier after the first bankruptcy. I know every willkey in on the failed Jetblue merger but I think the second Frontier merger was the moment of truth.
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bubblemania2020@reddit
The Spirit passengers/ customers are now going to travel on other airlines. Brace yourself.
militaryrat155@reddit (OP)
Yes that’s how air travel works
Inevitable_Shirt_462@reddit
Why the fuck am I crying to this? I'm Australian ffs. I've never even seen a Spirit plane in person and still, I'm crying.
rohepey@reddit
Because Spirit went under?
Spiritual-Election94@reddit
Because you knew there was a cheap flight with your name on it somewhere.
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Paulogiacomo1960@reddit
Guess we’ll all miss the yellow planes like flying inside a highlighter with extra leg cramps.
militaryrat155@reddit (OP)
It was cramped and uncomfortable but the 30 buck tickets to go from college in Philadelphia all the way down to the beaches in Miami for the weekend was unparalleled. I will miss them
multic94@reddit
This is honestly the biggest loss. It is now harder for people without money to travel.
Mr-Blackheart@reddit
Where there’s a will, there’s a greyhound!
No_World5707@reddit
LOL true but too bad it's like $200 from Philly to Miami via bus.. if it was $50-100 maybe.
Prudent_Bandicoot_87@reddit
Good because they act like animals on planes .
whatdahelldamnguy@reddit
I’ve flown Spirit dozens of times and not once was there an incident. Don’t let a few viral clips cloud your judgement about a valuable service for those of us who can’t afford seven hundred dollar round trip flights
Prudent_Bandicoot_87@reddit
I flew and they sucked evertime. . I glad I Have $ now . Let them ride the greyhound .
whatdahelldamnguy@reddit
Choke on your own vomit you smug prick
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Prez_Det@reddit
When was the last time you paid $30 for a ticket on Spirit? Their fares became outrageously expensive. I flew from Detroit down to Ft.Lauderdale for Easter for $338. Talk about ripoff. No luggage, no carry on. All extra. Quality of flight was well below what you should expect for that price. I'm not even going to comment on the types of passengers that fly Spirit. I for one am not one bit surprised.
69Turd69Ferguson69@reddit
Literally one week ago. I paid $37 for my ticket from Atlanta to FLL. Last time I flew Detroit to FLL was $72.
slutmachine666@reddit
Um, a little over a month ago I got my return ticket from MCO on 3/25 for $38 after almost a month of bopping around Florida. Granted, my flight down to FLL on 3/6 was $77 gasps. You flew during EASTER, that’s one of the most expensive times to fly lol
Middle-Object2550@reddit
I am SCREAMING!
militaryrat155@reddit (OP)
I went to college 2021-2025. Tickets averaged anywhere from 30-70 one way. It helped to be flexible with dates and look for cheaper days rather than having a fixed date
Also I’m a reservist in the military so my bags and seat assignments were always complimentary because spirit was very supportive of military travelers
Thank you spirit. You will be missed!
Ahgd374@reddit
Back in October, me and 2 friends were considering going to Detroit for the weekend. Round trip for all 3 of us MSY-DTW was like $107 total.
richhomy@reddit
i paid $70 to go from ATL to FLL.. now i’m stuck on palm beach with no way home. abt to drop $300 on a 1hr one way flight
NoTakeBacks90@reddit
Reach out to United. They are offering special rates to those impacted by the Spirit shutdown. I was suppose to fly from IAH to ATL this morning and my flight was cancelled. United is capping their special rates at $199
gerarar@reddit
I regularly fly from IAH to MCO and vice versa. Most recent trip was back in February for $19 one way, then $29 back.
Gonna really miss my super cheap trips.
BurdenedClot@reddit
I guess I lacked some skill, because both times I flew low cost airlines, it ended up being crazy expensive due to the extra fees and baggage costs. Like, I have to have a bag.
Bulky-Succotash4734@reddit
I think people without money shouldn’t travel.
ApoTHICCary@reddit
One of my colleague’s estranged father passed away a week ago. He wasn’t a great person, but he was still a father. My colleague was able to fly his entire family out for significantly cheaper than any other airline for such a short time constraint, which was perfect for their financial situation.
Air travel is not always a luxury. For some, the first time they step foot on an airplane is out of necessity or a bad situation. Budget airlines offer a solution for many financial problems, luck like getting to enjoy fiber optic internet for cheaper than landline connection back in the day.
Why are you so judgmental?
whatdahelldamnguy@reddit
I think people who say things like this should have their homes taken away and bank accounts emptied. See how you like it.
Holycroc_RVA@reddit
There'll always be someone to fill that slot tho ....Next!!!!
B777X_787-9@reddit
Banana planes were called on the plane spotting YouTube channel LAFLIGHTS
Prudent_Bandicoot_87@reddit
Never good riddance scammer airline .
GHz-Man@reddit
Who is "we"?
OsoGrandeTx@reddit
This is not good for anyone who loves to travel and has little extra funds
grumpytarantula@reddit
Where's Braniff?
Shark-Force@reddit
And Eastern?
tigershrike@reddit
I've got you
hopewhatsthat@reddit
Believe it!
ReasonableGas8904@reddit
I’ll miss all the crazy videos I’ve been seeing people flipping out
Inner-Thought9665@reddit
*Playing Katy Perry’s Fireworks*
Dapper_Tradition_987@reddit
My favorite Onion headline. "Valujet cleared to resume flights to ocean floor."
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De_latte@reddit
Best cup of noodles in the air you could have
capucjin@reddit
You missed Braniff, CP Air, Eastern Airlines
Im-Wasting-MyTime@reddit
Eastern Airlines still exists as a cargo carrier today in the United States. They bought Eastern Airlines’ intellectual property and continue to operate today.
samaramatisse@reddit
I get nostalgic seeing the ATA. "When you're on ATA, you're on vacation..."
NoYOUGrowUp@reddit
Should have been "When you're on ATA, you're in a cattle carrier." Worst airline that ever existed.
One-Awareness6574@reddit
I uswd to work for them. They sucked. Lots of stories too about their suckiness.
samaramatisse@reddit
I'm so sorry that was your experience.
davidspdmstr@reddit
Where is Braniff
ImpossibleSchedule97@reddit
😂😂
Cerulean_Malstrom074@reddit
That America West gut punch
manniesalado@reddit
They got to be less of a bargain over time.
shelf6969@reddit
still cheaper than others, for some routes.
as long as you knew what you were signing up for... I'll miss having the option.
ScholarErrant@reddit
As an aside, isn’t there a serious attempt resurrect the PanAm brand (beyond the flight school in Florida, that is)?
CreativeParsley8967@reddit
What’s ValuJet doing at the top? It should be down below in the depths of hell. Press S to spit.
Straight-Will7659@reddit
S
InTheSky57@reddit
S
BobBartBarker@reddit
I think US airways belong a lot lower. A lil darker. And hotter.
Go fuck yourself, US airways.
downbadmilflover@reddit
I just liked their paint scheme. What was wrong with them?
BobBartBarker@reddit
Their baggage claim in Philly was notorious.
YMMV25@reddit
US Airways still exists. It’s AA that died 12 years ago.
MidnightSurveillance@reddit
Yeah, AWE shouldn’t be in this video it’s literally just called American now.
yourlocalFSDO@reddit
US airways died when they were bought out by America West 2007. They just kept the US Airways name
Wikadood@reddit
No bonanza airlines on that list makes me sad
NotBannedAccount419@reddit
Dang this sucks. My family and I frequently fly to Florida 3-5 times a year. We always flew Spirit because it’s hard to beat tickets <$50/person when Delta wants $400
BrianBAA@reddit
Left out Eastern Airlines.
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Spazrelaz@reddit
Dang what happened to spirit?? Did I miss something??
militaryrat155@reddit (OP)
Spirit has ceased all operations as of May 2, 2026 due to long term financial difficulties
Spazrelaz@reddit
Oh man 🥺
one_rainy_wish@reddit
https://youtu.be/vRFo72wuU6w
No-Wallaby-4329@reddit
You forgot Hooters Air!
Remarkable_North_999@reddit
Tbf America West is still alive, it's just running around committing homicides wearing the faces of it's victims.
Rerrun@reddit
i am going to miss all the crazy spirit fight videos
TESLAMIZE@reddit
Dont worry, same fights, just on another airline now.
Mr-Blackheart@reddit
Frontier.
Prudent_Bandicoot_87@reddit
Another cheap sss airline that sucks y
MoreCranberry3@reddit
Reddit where speaking the truth gets you downvoted.
Private_Kyle@reddit
Don't know why you're being downvoted when their customer satisfaction score is balls low
GoalStillNotAchieved@reddit
What do you mean?
saveyourtissues@reddit
Coming to an airline near you.
FactAdvanced8705@reddit
So, Spirit Airlines is defunct?
reallybig4head@reddit
Does anyone know why this happened??? I’m trying to find out but nobody is saying the real reason
CGKilates@reddit
Sorry to the workers but it will always be fuck them. A 100 going and coming back. Get some
fdwyersd@reddit
less competition is never good... loved the highlighter livery... could always find a spirit plane on the airfield
WittmanTrading@reddit
Side note; perfect music choice for this clip!
LesSharp987987@reddit
I have a flight with them on May 16th. I haven't been notified it's been canceled yet. Think I should just buy another flight? Think I'll get a refund?
michaeltewtew@reddit
Hate to see to yellow jet go. It was pleasant to see since all the other jets are plain.
AlarmMedical2921@reddit
The Spirit in the sky 🪽
hydrobunny@reddit
the expedia add in the comment feed is diabolical
jikesar968@reddit
Never flew with them. Lost opportunity.
Prudent_Bandicoot_87@reddit
Lucky it sucks big time .
jikesar968@reddit
Yeah that's what I've heard, hence why I never flew with them. Still sucks to not even have the option anymore. Less competition isn't good.
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Donnerficker@reddit
Where is Kingfisher?
Common-Charity9128@reddit
Simple context if anyone’s confused:
They broke man, gas is gold now. They ain’t got no money to sutain itself.
SeaUrchin_University@reddit
Need to add Skybus Airlines to the departed list. Gone almost twenty years now. I just found an old email showing my $36.30 RT GSO-BUR fare. Good times!
runs_with_airplanes@reddit
That spirit in the sky
Paulino2272@reddit
Rip
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BreakingPitch@reddit
And yet Ryanair lives!!
NormalAssistance9402@reddit
No it hasn’t
ForsakenRacism@reddit
What’s America west doing on there. They are American now
seriouslynotanotaku@reddit
Pan Am: "Join us, Spirit."
SanMaldito@reddit
Nah, pretty sure there are levels in heaven. Lounges, of you will. PanAm and Spirit will not be found in the same one.
yellekc@reddit
Spirit gets the perfect safety record lounge.
Prudent_Bandicoot_87@reddit
Totally different reason .
SpenB@reddit
The full list if anyone's curious.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_defunct_airlines_of_the_United_States
aristhought@reddit
I dug through countless 1 star reviews to find this gem. RIP to the "it's a bus" airline.
Prudent_Bandicoot_87@reddit
Good riddance
AlternativeEdge2725@reddit
I never flew them but sure will miss them. Who else can we collectively shit on now? Allegiant?
Prudent_Bandicoot_87@reddit
They sucked
KAugsburger@reddit
Frontier and Allegiant are pretty similar. They will also probably struggle if the high fuel prices persist longer term.
airplaneboi77@reddit
why did you put VALUJET in heaven
Prudent_Bandicoot_87@reddit
Because they killed a bunch of folks in a plane doing bad crap .
flyingforfun3@reddit
A cheap 135 I once worked for paid for my one and only ticket on spirit. It wasn’t an awful experience except for the company trying to make me pay for a bag. Which of course I charged in. The flight attendants were great. It was a decent sized plane. I feel like they have more leg room than any 737.
Prudent_Bandicoot_87@reddit
U don’t travel Much
TERRAIN_PULL_UP_@reddit
I never even had the privilege of flying Spirit
Prudent_Bandicoot_87@reddit
Horrible did not miss misery . Seats sucks service sucked and crew was unprofessional.
Express-Way9295@reddit
Spirit’s Big Front Seats were a good product at a better price.
captain_flak@reddit
Every time I have a hard landing that hits my spine like a jackhammer, I’ll think of them!
EmergencyGarlic2476@reddit
Way more than enough to make anyone cry
Prudent_Bandicoot_87@reddit
Good worst airline totally unpredictable and unorganized. Happy to see go. GOOD RIDDANCE.
bigassgoon@reddit
Where’s Eastern? Or are they in airline hell?
Sorry_Exercise_9603@reddit
Think of all the body cam videos we’re losing.
willreadforbooks@reddit
I just have to say I’ll miss hearing the Spirit call sign. I always say “Spirit fingers!” in my head when I hear it
rolandontheriver@reddit
Last flight just touched down in DFW - RIP. NK1833
Few-Log6852@reddit
Someone forgot eastern
yourlocalFSDO@reddit
America west is not dead it lives on as American
pb_in_sf@reddit
PSA & Pan Am 😭
Admirable-Muffin7027@reddit
If Spirit actually shuts down, how much will that flood the A&P job market? Are new mechanics screwed or is the demand still there?
LionStar115@reddit
You missed Song Airlines!
Alternative-Bee-3594@reddit
Continental and AirTran merged
LilWhiteCastle@reddit
So did PSA, America West, US Airways, and NWA for what it’s worth
NoDoze-@reddit
Is this official?
mencival@reddit
In two hours and six minutes unless a small miracle happens
Onphone_irl@reddit
isn't there a failed airline that got my precious comment mod deleted that should be there? or is it in hell?
Onphone_irl@reddit
a white house related airline perhaps?
Max_Gerber@reddit
Lots of operations in NYC. A Shuttle, if you will.
nirrinirra@reddit
Eastern airlines? National Airlines?
Mderose@reddit
They really should bring back PanAm. I miss ATA. As a kid, that is what we always flew on to go to Orlando.
SouthernCharm-86@reddit
i flew them often from IAH to Vegas and up and down the Cali coast. Didn't mind them for the most part! wonder who will fill the gap? Frontier?
Onphone_irl@reddit
what about trump airline? is it in HELL?
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fromcjoe123@reddit
RIP Sky Fight Club
darrenmackie@reddit
America West is alive and well
domesystem@reddit
Pan am prob ain't coming back now eh?
Kevin-747-400-2206@reddit
The new Pan Am can do the exact same thing that Breeze Airways did when Covid-19 happened and postpone their launch for now and wait until fuel prices calm down.
Ragnarotico@reddit
I will not stand for this Hooters Air erasure!
trubol@reddit
Talk show hosts and their writing staff just lost about three cheap jokes per week
Junior-Tourist3480@reddit
Good riddance.
pickles_and_mustard@reddit
Most of the top tracked flights on FR24 right now are Spirit
whip_lash_2@reddit
Based on my experiences with Spirit, that's not the direction they're going.
Not a knock on the employees (most of them anyway), just the corporate entity.
IceBoxPete@reddit
what happened to spirit? I still see it flying though…
militaryrat155@reddit (OP)
It is expected to see operations effective at 3 AM eastern time due to long term financial difficulties
jikesar968@reddit
Unless someone saves them within the next few hours, they're done by tomorrow.
Shamrockah@reddit
I had forced myself to forget all about AirTran, until I saw this. Ugh.
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