There are other options for now.
Spirit Airlines has bitten the dust. The troubled low-cost carrier has been financially unviable since the pandemic and filed for bankruptcy twice in recent years, with the second as recent as August 2025. Its demise was predicted, but the final chance for rescue with a federal bailout was extinguished last week, and the airline shut down overnight. Now, 17,000 people are out of jobs, and thousands of travelers are scrambling to salvage their travel plans.
Meanwhile, other airlines are swooping in to help stranded flyers and to snatch up Spirit’s assets, such as its gates and routes. There is no doubt that the death of the ultra-low-cost airline will hike up prices, which were already trending upward after the U.S.-Iran war. However, American passengers still have some budget options, especially if they take quick action.
Rescue Missions
Spirit canceled all its flights on Saturday and, as of now, has refunded passengers who booked with credit cards. Earned miles are no longer valuable after the collapse, and Spirit is not helping customers rebook their journeys with other airlines. However, for the time being, Spirit customers still have options—and they should act fast. Airlines in the U.S. are advertising discounted prices for those with Spirit tickets. Swap them as soon as possible, because these offers won’t last.
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After Spirit’s collapse, Frontier jumped in to announce it is slashing prices on flights through November. Those who book on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday can get up to 50% off, while other days offer up to 10%. This offer is valid until May 10.
It’s not the only one. JetBlue was also quick to offer $99 one-way fares to stranded Spirit passengers with valid proof of itineraries until May 6. It also capped its Basic Blue fares at $299 for nonstop flights to and from Fort Lauderdale and San Juan airports until May 8.
Other airlines have also capped their fares to win over Spirit customers. United is offering special fares up to $299 until May 16 to passengers whose flights were canceled. These include cities where Spirit operated, such as Atlanta, Miami, Las Vegas, and Orlando, among others.
American Airlines also said it is introducing rescue fares on Spirit routes. It highlighted that it serves 70 of the 72 airports that Spirit operated, along with 67 specific routes. “We are also reviewing opportunities to add additional capacity—including utilizing larger aircraft and adding flights on critical routes—to support as many affected passengers as possible.”
Similarly, Delta announced nonrefundable, one-way fares for five days in affected markets, not just for Spirit customers but for anyone who may need a last-minute deal. Avelo has 75% off base fares on its website for travelers and is matching the status of eligible members through May 31.
Related: Your Spirit Ticket Is Now Worthless — Here’s What You Can Do Next
Saving Summer
Spirit was a pioneer in basic flying, and after its demise, there is one less competitor forcing prices to stay low. The bad news is that flight prices will continue to soar—also due to jet fuel costs—but a few airlines might still have better deals.
Denver-based Frontier Airlines is an ultra-low-cost carrier that hasn’t always won customers over with its strict bag policies. You pay for every extra service (even carry-ons), there is no Wi-Fi or entertainment, and the seats don’t recline. But if you’re willing to accept the trade-offs, you can fly for a fraction of the price of other airlines.
With Spirit gone, Frontier is one of the last standing budget airlines. Passengers can fly on specific routes using its GoWild Summer Pass for $199, though you should read the fine print carefully. The airline is also adding nine new routes and 15 daily flights to serve former Spirit customers.
Related: Frontier Introduced a $299 ‘Unlimited’ Flights Pass. What’s the Catch?
Ultra-low-cost carrier Breeze Airways might also be a good option for travelers. Spirit held a 75% share of flights at Atlantic City, a gap that Breeze is now trying to fill. It has added flights to Orlando, Fort Myers, Myrtle Beach, and West Palm Beach. The Salt Lake City-based airline is known for transiting to underserved destinations and focuses on smaller airports. This year, it has also added international routes to its network and managed to keep costs affordable. Breeze is the fastest-growing airline in the U.S., and it’s not competing with legacy carriers on popular routes. It has an edge because it is the sole operator on 90% of its routes. Reddit users recommend the airline for being affordable, comfortable, and running direct flights.
Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air is another option to consider, as it is temporarily holding fares steady on routes that Spirit operated. It also has flights from Atlantic City and is allowing Spirit customers to earn 50% of the points on rebooked itineraries through May 12.
If you want affordability with more legroom and reliable Wi-Fi, JetBlue is a solid choice. It is the second-largest airline at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Spirit’s base. JetBlue announced it will add routes to serve passengers in the area, now offering nonstop service from Florida to Barranquilla and Cali in Colombia, Baltimore, Charlotte, Columbus, and Indianapolis. It has also added nonstop flights to cities it previously served, including Nashville, Detroit, Houston, Chicago, and Ponce. JetBlue will honor rewards from Spirit loyalists as well. “For a limited time, Spirit Airlines Free Spirit Silver and Gold members can request a status match to JetBlue’s TrueBlue Mosaic program, giving travelers access to many of the benefits that make the JetBlue experience stand out,” the airline said.
Related: Let Bad Airlines Die (and Stop Bailing Them Out)
