Business

With Spirit Airlines grounded, what should travelers do now?

By Miami Herald Staff Report

Updated May 2, 2026 2:38 PM

View of deserted Spirit Airlines counters at FLL on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com

The end of Spirit Airlines

The low-cost airline shuts down. Here’s what is happening and what it means.

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Spirit Airlines has closed up shop for good, going out of business after 34 years. What does that mean for travelers?

Here’s what to know:

Refunds: You may be out of a flight, but you’re likely not out of your money. Spirit says passengers will be refunded their money if they booked flights on credit or debit cards. Compensation for passengers who booked flights with a voucher or Free Spirit points “will be determined at a later date through the bankruptcy court process,” a Spirit statement said. The South Florida-based airline directed customers to its website for guidance.
Appeals: In addition to dealing with Spirit for a refund, customers can contact their credit-card companies, check their travel insurance or a file a bankruptcy claim, according to a U.S. Department of Transportation statement about the aftermath of the shutdown.
Airports: Spirit Airlines advised travelers not to go to the airport. Customer service operations have been shut down. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport issued a travel advisory Saturday morning: “All flights to and from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and across the network are canceled. If you have a ticket booked on Spirit, the airline is advising travelers not to go to the airport.”
Other flights: Several other airlines, including Frontier, JetBlue and American, have offered to help Spirit customers with their travel plans. JetBlue is offering $99 rescue flights and has added service at FLL.
Employment: Thousands of Spirit employees are out of a job, including personnel who worked at a new headquarters building in Dania Beach. The future of that building could be determined in the airline’s liquidation.
Vendors: Spirit says any outstanding claims will be addressed through the bankruptcy process and the court.
Future: For now, Spirit is out of business as it winds down operations, and has halted flights and customer service. Any future version of the airline could be determined by the bankruptcy process.