Spirit Airlines had the lowest rating on the annual American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) survey. The airline scored a 66 on the 100–point scale in 2026, dropping below low-cost rival Frontier Airlines, an airline that doesn’t even offer internet service, and putting it 13 points behind category winner Delta Air Lines.
Before it ceased all operations on May 2, after a failed Chapter 11 reorganization attempt, the airline served a vital role in keeping prices down, even if consumers didn’t actually like to fly the no-frills airline.
Spirit’s march to closure began when the federal government blocked its merger with JetBlue. At the time, the government argued that the airline played a vital role in forcing its competitors to keep prices down.
“The rest of the industry — including JetBlue –has been forced to respond to Spirit’s innovations and low prices. Spirit estimates that when it starts flying a route, average fares fall by 17%; JetBlue estimates that when Spirit stops flying a route, average fares go up by 30%,” according to a Justice Department Lawsuit.
Ultimately, the merger was blocked, leading Spirit Airlines to its Chapter 11 filing, and its eventual shutdown.
Now, the airline, which has been selling off its assets, has a hope for a revival as an offer has been submitted to buy the brand.
Spirit Airlines gets thrown a lifeline
“Spirit’s success — and other airlines’ response to it—has led to the “Spirit Effect”: when Spirit enters a new route, prices for consumers across all airlines tend to fall and demand for air travel goes up,” the Justice Department’s lawsuit said.
Texas-based Mooney International has submitted a bid to acquire Spirit Airlines and related assets, CBS News reported.
Mooney International said its proposal would combine operations involving Spirit Airlines, Mooney International and SEAirunder what it described as a shared focus on affordable and accessible air travel.
“Our objective is not only to preserve the Spirit Airlines legacy, but to create a new chapter focused on operational excellence, enhanced customer experience, expanded route connectivity, sustainable aviation initiatives, and long-term growth,” the company said in its announcement.
Spirit Airline’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy was filed in New York’s Southern Bankruptcy court, which would have to make a ruling on the offer.
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Spirit Airlines played a key role
As a frequent Spirit Airlines customer, I mourned its loss, not because I liked the low-cost, no-frills airline, but because it sometimes offered me the opportunity to travel when airfare otherwise would have been a deterrent.
Spirit was often my lowest-cost option to Las Vegas, for example, and being able to hop on a $3-400 flight from Fort Lauderdale to Sin City made a quick weekend trip reasonable. Yes, the seats were uncomfortable and facing added charges for bags, seat assignments, soda, and more than justify the ACSI rating, the price mattered to (and likely many others).
Spirit’s existence kept airfares down.
“A Business Insider analysis of domestic airline schedules and fare data from the aviation analytics company Cirium found that airfares rose an average of about $19, or 14%, across the roughly 90 routes Spirit exited between 2024 and 2025, as consumers faced fewer options,” Business Insider reported.
It’s shutdown has likely led to fare increases.
“When any airline leaves a market, it results in a drop in the supply of seats,” Mike Arnot, an airline industry consultant, told Business Insider. “That generally means that airfare will increase, and it doesn’t much matter which airline departs a market.”
Skift spelled it out in simple terms.
“Spirit Airlines may have been the butt of jokes — and even hated by some — but there’s no doubt it drove down airfares,” the website posted.
Spirit Airlines’ Chapter 11 timeline
Spirit Airlines Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Timeline
- Jan. 16, 2024: U.S. District Judge William Young blocked JetBlue’s proposed $3.8 billion acquisition of Spirit Airlines, dealing a major blow to Spirit’s turnaround efforts, according to Reuters.
- Nov. 18, 2024: Spirit Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The airline said customers could continue booking and flying normally during the restructuring process, according to a press release.
- Nov. 18, 2024: Spirit announced a prearranged restructuring agreement with bondholders that included approximately $795 million of funded debt being converted to equity, a $350 million equity investment, and $840 million in new senior secured debt, the company shared on its Investor Relations page.
- Nov. 19, 2024: The bankruptcy court approved Spirit’s first-day motions, allowing the airline to continue normal operations, pay employees, and honor customer programs during Chapter 11, according to court documents.
- Feb. 20, 2025: The U.S. Bankruptcy Court confirmed Spirit’s Chapter 11 plan of reorganization, clearing the way for the company to exit bankruptcy, Spirit shared in a press release.
- March 12, 2025: Spirit Airlines officially emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after completing its financial restructuring, the airline shared.
- Aug. 29, 2025: Spirit Aviation Holdings, parent of Spirit Airlines, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in less than a year in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, TheStreet reported.
- March 13, 2026: Spirit filed a formal Restructuring Support Agreement and Plan of Reorganization with the bankruptcy court, according to a press release.
- May 2, 2026: Spirit announced an immediate orderly wind-down of operations and canceled all flights. The carrier ceased passenger operations after 33 years in business, reported TheStreet.
- June 2026: Spirit began preparing auctions of key remaining assets, including LaGuardia slots, its loyalty program, operating equipment, and corporate real estate as part of the liquidation process, according to court filings.
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