Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines, founded in 1980 as Charter One and rebranded in 1992, was headquartered in Miramar, Florida. Spirit operated as an ultra-low-cost carrier with a business model centered on offering the lowest base fares in the US market while generating revenue through ancillary fees for carry-on bags, checked bags, seat selection, and other optional services. The airline operated focus cities at Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Las Vegas, Detroit, Atlantic City, and Dallas/Fort Worth. Spirit's fleet consisted of Airbus A319, A320, and A321 aircraft configured in high-density, all-economy layouts with the industry's thinnest seats, branded as Big Front Seats for the extra-legroom section. The Free Spirit loyalty program allowed members to earn and redeem points on Spirit flights. Spirit did not belong to any global airline alliance. The airline's bright yellow livery and bold marketing campaigns made it one of the most recognizable brands in US aviation. Spirit played a significant role in driving down airfares in markets it entered, competing primarily on price with both legacy and other low-cost carriers. After a failed merger attempt with JetBlue Airways that was blocked by antitrust regulators in 2024, Spirit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in late 2024, subsequently restructuring its operations and fleet as part of its reorganization plan.