The Wall Street Journal reports Spirit Airlines is preparing to cease operations after failing to secure a $500 million government lifeline, a stunning fall for the carrier that reshaped U.S. airfare pricing.
UPDATE: Spirit Airlines is now expected to cease all operations around 3:00 am ET on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Spirit forced competitors to respond and changed market dynamics. In market after market, the so-called “Spirit effect” pushed fares lower, even for passengers who never set foot on the airline.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Live and Let's Fly.
