The travel industry is moving fast to catch thousands of passengers left hanging by the Spirit Airlines closure.
Following the news that Spirit is shutting down all operations, the Department of Transportation has coordinated with almost every major carrier in the country to provide immediate relief. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that a massive rescue mission is underway to keep travelers from being stuck at the gate. Following conversations with the Department of Transportation, American Airlines, United, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Allegiant, Frontier, Avelo, and Breeze have all agreed to support impacted Spirit passengers in different ways,” the DOT stated.
For many, the biggest worry is the cost of a last minute ticket, but several airlines are stepping in to keep prices from spiking.
United, Delta, JetBlue, and Southwest are all putting a ceiling on ticket prices for anyone who can show a Spirit confirmation number.
United has set its economy caps at $199 for nonstop flights and $299 for connections through May 16. JetBlue is offering $99 one-way fares on competing routes through May 6, while Southwest is selling capped fares between $200 and $400 for those who head to their ticket counters in person with proof of their cancelled flight.
American Airlines and Delta are also targeting high traffic Spirit routes with reduced rates to keep travel affordable. Since American operates in 70 of the 72 airports Spirit occupied, they are even looking into using bigger planes to create more space for those who need to rebook. “We immediately put rescue fares into place on Spirit routes where American also offers nonstop service,” the airline announced. “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.”
Other budget carriers are also dropping that bag to make sure flying stays accessible.
Frontier is offering a 50% discount on base fares with the code SAVENOW, while Avelo has a promo code, TRYAVELO, that cuts 75% off select tickets. Beyond just the flights, Southwest and Avelo are even offering status match for Spirit’s frequent flyers to help them keep their loyalty perks.
While the shutdown has caused plenty of stress, the DOT and its airline partners are working to ensure that every passenger has a way to finish their trip without breaking the bank.
