They Flew Spirit for Years. Here’s What They’re Doing Now.

They Flew Spirit for Years. Here’s What They’re Doing Now.

**Former Spirit customers say finding cheap airfare is harder as fares rise and travelers adapt to life without the ultra-low-cost carrier.**

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## The End of an Era (And the Beginning of a Headache)

Let me tell you about Matthew Cappucci. He’s a senior meteorologist at MyRadar, a guy who’s used to predicting storms. But he couldn’t predict this.

For years, Cappucci lived by a simple travel philosophy: if the ticket was cheap enough, he’d go. Spirit Airlines, with its bright yellow planes and no-frills approach, was his ticket to spontaneous weekend adventures. Fifty bucks? A hundred? He’d sit in a cramped seat for however many hours it took to get somewhere exciting.

“I’d go anywhere I could,” he says.

That’s the Spirit promise. It wasn’t about comfort. It wasn’t about luxury. It was about possibility. For millions of Americans, Spirit made travel accessible in a way that felt almost revolutionary. The airline was the butt of countless jokes—the tiny seats, the fees for everything, the bare-bones experience. But here’s the thing: people kept flying. Because when you’re a college student trying to get home for Thanksgiving, or a family of eight trying to move across the country, or just someone who wants to see a new city without draining their savings, Spirit was there.

Until it wasn’t.

On May 2, 2026, Spirit Airlines ceased operations. After 34 years, two bankruptcies, and a desperate last-minute bailout negotiation that went nowhere, the airline that pioneered the ultra-low-cost model in America simply vanished. The cause was a perfect storm: a war-driven fuel price surge that roughly doubled jet fuel costs, mounting debts, and a business model that had already been struggling to stay viable.

Now, nearly five months later, the people who flew Spirit for years are figuring out what comes next. And the answer isn’t simple.

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## The New Reality: Fares Are Up, Deals Are Down

Let’s get the numbers out of the way first. Because the numbers tell a story that every American traveler is feeling in their wallet.

According to the latest CPI data, August marked the **ninth consecutive month of rising airfare**. Prices moved up another 2.7% from July. Overall, fares are now running **23% higher than a year ago**.

David Krauter, CEO of the flight deals site Going, puts it in perspective for real people planning real trips: “Right now, Thanksgiving fares are running about 13% higher year-over-year, and winter holiday fares are close behind at roughly 11% higher”.

That’s not a small bump. That’s a budget-breaker for families. That’s the difference between visiting grandma and staying home. That’s the kind of increase that makes people reconsider whether they can afford to travel at all.

A recent survey from travel insurance marketplace Squaremouth.com found that **more than 1 in 10 travelers would reconsider a trip due to rising airfares**, and nearly **1 in 4 travelers have already scaled back a trip this year**.

The pain is real. And it’s widespread.

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## The Spirit Effect: Why One Airline’s Absence Matters So Much

Here’s something that people outside the travel industry often don’t understand: Spirit’s impact wasn’t just about the people who flew Spirit. It was about everyone who flew.

Economists call it the “Spirit effect.” When an ultra-low-cost carrier enters a market, legacy airlines drop their prices to compete. Even if you never set foot on a yellow plane, you benefited from its existence. Spirit was the pressure valve that kept airfare from spiraling completely out of control.

“You do not have to fly a small carrier in order to benefit from its presence, because they will bring down the big guys’ fares,” says William McGee, a senior fellow at the American Economic Liberties Project.

McGee predicted that Spirit’s collapse would mean “everyone will be paying more.” He was right.

Matthew Cappucci, the meteorologist, sees it clearly. “With Spirit being gone, not only is that no longer an option, but all the other airlines can become progressively greedier,” he says. “Seems like everything’s starting at $300 or $400”.

Cappucci’s experience is a microcosm of what’s happening across the country. The absence of Spirit has removed the floor from the market. And when there’s no floor, prices float upward.

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## What Former Spirit Flyers Are Actually Doing

So what are people doing? The answer is complicated, and it varies depending on who you ask. But patterns are emerging.

### The Frontier Migration

If you were a Spirit loyalist, the most obvious replacement is Frontier Airlines. The Denver-based carrier has wasted no time stepping into Spirit’s shoes, taking over dozens of routes and offering introductory fares as low as **$39 each way**.

Frontier’s CEO, Jimmy Dempsey, has been explicit about the opportunity. “Given our network, low cost structure and disciplined approach to capacity deployment, Frontier is best positioned to provide low fares and the best value in those markets,” he said during a May earnings call.

The airline operated more than 100 routes previously flown by Spirit by May, announced additional flights in 18 former Spirit markets, and launched eight more routes in July. It also offered “rescue fares” to stranded Spirit customers, a savvy move that built goodwill and captured market share.

Tisha Savage, a travel advisor specializing in travelers with disabilities, tried Frontier and Allegiant. She found prices “pretty comparable” to what she used to pay on Spirit. That’s good news for her. But she still preferred Spirit.

Why? Because of the hidden disabilities program. Spirit recognized the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, an initiative that discreetly signals to staff that a traveler might need extra time or assistance. Savage has psoriatic arthritis, and she says every Spirit employee she encountered understood the program immediately.

That’s the kind of human touch that doesn’t show up in fare comparisons. And it’s gone.

### The Allegiant Alternative

Allegiant Air is another option, particularly for travelers near smaller regional airports. The airline links about 120 destinations, focusing on leisure hubs like Las Vegas, Orlando, and beach destinations around the Southeast. Base fares commonly fall between **$38 and $92 one way**.

The trade-off is frequency. Allegiant doesn’t offer as many daily flights as Spirit once did. But if you’re flexible and you live near a smaller airport, it can be a sleeper hit.

### The Breeze Option

Breeze Airways is the newer player, having launched in 2018. It serves more than 60 destinations, with a focus on direct routes between midsize cities that larger airlines often ignore. Intro and sale fares often start around **$39 to $99 one way**.

Breeze’s cheapest option, the No Flex Fare, includes just one personal item that fits under the seat. But the onboard experience is generally nicer than Spirit’s—more legroom, fewer horror stories. As Reader’s Digest put it, “If Spirit was the cheapest option but also a gamble, Breeze can feel like the slightly more polished cousin”.

### The Legacy Carrier Compromise

For some former Spirit flyers, the answer isn’t a low-cost carrier at all. It’s a mix.

Joshua Sheats, host of the podcast Radical Personal Finance, used to love Spirit’s à la carte model. He could pay for exactly what he wanted—nothing more, nothing less. He once checked **40 pieces of luggage** for a family move with eight people, paying only for carry-ons and using the free personal item allowance for everyone.

“Now that Spirit has gone out of the marketplace, if you wanted to repeat that… about the best you can come up with is purchasing business class seats that can give you two 70-pound checked bags,” he says.

These days, Sheats flies a mix of airlines depending on the trip. For direct, point-to-point flights where he doesn’t need network reliability, he’ll use a low-cost carrier. For multi-connection trips where disruptions are a risk, he chooses a full-service carrier.

“If I have multiple connections and I’m worried about travel disruptions or delays… I will choose a full-service carrier because of that stability, knowing that they might have another flight or two that same day to get me where I need to go,” he explains.

It’s a pragmatic approach. But it’s also more expensive. And it requires more thought, more planning, more work.

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## The Hidden Cost: The Death of Spontaneity

Here’s what nobody talks about when they talk about Spirit’s collapse: the death of the spontaneous trip.

For years, Spirit made it possible to wake up on a Friday, see a cheap fare, and just go. No months of planning. No saving up for weeks. Just a whim and a willingness to endure a cramped seat for a few hours.

Cappucci feels that loss acutely. “Nowadays, I’m just not really doing that as much,” he says. “It’s disappointing. I know that’s true for a lot of people”.

That’s the human cost of Spirit’s disappearance. It’s not just about dollars and cents. It’s about the freedom to say yes to an adventure. It’s about the ability to visit a friend for a weekend without breaking the bank. It’s about the possibility that travel is for everyone, not just those who can afford it.

A college student interviewed by WPTV summed it up brutally: “So now you take away the most affordable airline, and charge us more for literally everything else… and as a college student, I’m not doing anything actually, I’m not traveling anywhere because it’s not affordable anymore”.

That’s the reality. For a generation of young travelers, Spirit was the gateway. Now the gate is closed.

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## The Frontier Gamble: Can Cheap and Comfortable Coexist?

Frontier wants to be the answer. But Frontier is trying something tricky.

Under CEO Jimmy Dempsey, Frontier isn’t just trying to replicate Spirit’s bare-bones model. It’s attempting to keep the cheap fares while adding premium features. First-class seats. Extra legroom. High-speed Starlink Wi-Fi starting in 2027.

“Customers are seeking more premium products,” Dempsey told The Wall Street Journal.

It’s a bold bet. Frontier’s cost differential is about 40% compared to the rest of the industry, which gives it room to maintain low fares even as it adds features. But the question is whether travelers will trust Frontier to deliver both.

Reddit forums are already buzzing with debate. Some travelers welcome the prospect of fast Wi-Fi and more comfortable seating. Others are skeptical, wondering whether Frontier can add premium features without losing the low fares that attract customers in the first place.

Dempsey insists Frontier has no intention of abandoning its traditional customer. “Our business model continues to grow the addressable market and encourages people to travel who wouldn’t normally travel,” he said.

In other words: Frontier wants to have it both ways. Cheap and comfortable. Budget and premium. It’s a gamble. And only time will tell if it works.

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## The Strategies That Still Work

If you’re one of the millions of Americans trying to figure out how to fly affordably in a post-Spirit world, here’s the good news: there are still ways to save. They just require more effort.

### The Goldilocks Window

Katy Nastro, spokesperson for Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights), recommends using what she calls the “Goldilocks Window.” For domestic off-season flights, book **one to three months out**. For peak summer or holidays, extend that to **three to seven months**. For international trips, widen the window to **two to eight months off-season** and **three-and-a-half to nine months over peak periods**.

Google’s data supports this. For domestic trips within the U.S., average flight prices are lowest **39 days before departure**. For international flights, prices are lowest **49 days or more before departure**.

### Set Alerts and Track Prices

Julian Kheel, founder of Points Path, recommends setting alerts as early as **10 months before departure** for peak periods. “You can use tools like Google Flights to set price alerts on flights you’re tracking, so when the price changes, you’ll get an email letting you know,” he says.

Deal alert websites like Thrifty Traveler, Going, and Dollar Flight Club can automate the search. It’s not as easy as stumbling upon a $50 Spirit fare, but it’s the next best thing.

### Be Flexible—Really Flexible

Midweek flights are almost always cheaper than weekend flights. Mid-day flights are often cheaper than early morning or evening departures.

The Points Guy’s Clint Henderson notes that flying on the actual holiday—Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day—can often be cheaper than flying a few days before or after. Early departures can save money and help you avoid cancellations and delays.

### Consider the “Positioning Flight” Strategy

Sometimes, booking separate tickets to a major hub and then a long-haul flight from that hub can be cheaper than booking the whole journey as one ticket. The catch is that you need to leave enough time between connections—at least five hours—to handle delays.

### Use Points and Miles

When cash prices are high, points and miles become more valuable. If you’ve been accumulating rewards, now might be the time to use them. Henderson recommends looking at the actual cash value you’re getting per point to make sure it’s a good redemption.

### Book Now, Not Later

This is the advice that hurts. Travel experts are unanimous: if you’re planning holiday travel, book now. “It could get a lot worse from here,” Henderson warns. “That’s why our advice is go ahead and book now”.

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## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Is Spirit Airlines really gone forever?**

A: Yes. Spirit ceased all operations on May 2, 2026, after failing to secure creditor backing for a federal bailout. The airline announced an “orderly wind-down” of its business, canceled all flights, and stopped customer service operations. It is not expected to return.

**Q: What happened to Spirit’s refunds?**

A: Spirit promised refunds to passengers with canceled tickets. The Department of Transportation advised passengers to check with their credit card providers or travel insurers regarding refunds. If you’re still waiting for a refund, contact your credit card company.

**Q: Which airline is most like Spirit?**

A: Frontier Airlines is the closest replacement. It operates a similar ultra-low-cost model, has taken over many former Spirit routes, and offers base fares as low as $39. Allegiant and Breeze are also viable alternatives, particularly for travelers near smaller regional airports.

**Q: Are airfares really higher because Spirit is gone?**

A: Yes. Industry experts and consumer advocates agree that Spirit’s presence kept fares lower across the board, even for travelers who never flew Spirit. With Spirit gone, legacy carriers have less pressure to compete on price. Fares are up 23% year-over-year, and experts expect them to remain elevated.

**Q: What’s the cheapest day to book a flight now?**

A: The old advice about booking on a specific day (like Tuesday) doesn’t really work anymore. What matters more is **when you fly**, not when you book. Midweek and mid-day flights are generally cheaper. For domestic flights, booking one to three months in advance is ideal. For international flights, two to eight months is the sweet spot.

**Q: Will Frontier really offer first-class seats?**

A: Yes. Frontier plans to introduce two-by-two first-class seating in the first two rows of its aircraft, with UpFront Plus (extra legroom and guaranteed empty middle seat) continuing behind them. The airline is also partnering with Starlink to offer high-speed Wi-Fi starting in 2027.

**Q: Is it still possible to find cheap flights?**

A: Yes, but it requires more effort. Strategies include booking within the Goldilocks Window, setting price alerts, being flexible with travel dates, checking multiple booking platforms, and using points and miles. The days of stumbling upon a $50 Spirit fare are over, but deals still exist for those willing to search.

**Q: What happens to Spirit’s employees?**

A: Spirit had nearly 7,500 employees at the end of 2025. Unions representing them criticized the failure to reach a deal. Some airlines, including Frontier, have sought to hire former Spirit staff. The shutdown was described by the Air Line Pilots Association as a decision whose “pain will not be felt in boardrooms” but by “pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, dispatchers, and ground crews”.

**Q: Will other budget airlines collapse too?**

A: There are concerns about the broader budget airline sector. High fuel prices and intense competition are pressuring multiple carriers. Other low-cost operators have sought federal assistance. If fuel prices remain elevated and government support doesn’t materialize, additional failures are possible.

**Q: How can I protect myself if an airline shuts down?**

A: Book with a credit card that offers travel protection. Consider travel insurance for expensive trips. Avoid booking basic economy if you might need flexibility. And monitor airline financial news if you’re booking with a carrier that’s under financial stress.

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## Conclusion: The New American Travel Reality

Spirit Airlines was never beloved in the traditional sense. People complained about the seats. They complained about the fees. They joked about the experience.

But they flew. Millions of them. Because Spirit offered something that mattered more than comfort: access. Access to travel. Access to adventure. Access to the possibility that a weekend getaway didn’t have to cost a paycheck.

Now that access is harder to find. Fares are up. Deals are scarcer. The spontaneous trip has become a luxury good.

Former Spirit customers are adapting. They’re flying Frontier. They’re trying Allegiant. They’re mixing budget and legacy carriers depending on the trip. They’re setting alerts and booking earlier and being flexible with dates.

But something has been lost. The ease. The simplicity. The feeling that you could just go.

Tisha Savage, the travel advisor, still prefers Spirit for one specific reason: the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. Every Spirit employee she encountered understood what it meant. That kind of training and awareness doesn’t happen by accident. It reflects a culture.

“I feel like every single agent or employee I ever came across with Spirit knew what it was immediately,” she says.

That’s the thing about Spirit. It wasn’t just a business model. It was a set of choices about who gets to fly and how. And for a while, it worked.

Now, the yellow planes are gone. The cheap fares are harder to find. And American travelers are figuring out what comes next.

The answer, it turns out, is complicated. It’s more expensive. It requires more planning. But for those who still believe that travel should be for everyone—not just those who can afford it—the search continues.

Because the Spirit is willing. Even if the airline isn’t.

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## Disclaimer

**This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, travel, or legal advice. The author has no affiliation with Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Allegiant Air, Breeze Airways, or any other airline mentioned. Airfare prices and availability are subject to change and vary by route, date, and booking time. Readers should verify all information with airlines and travel providers before making travel decisions. The quotes and anecdotes presented are based on published reports and interviews. The views expressed are those of the individuals quoted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the author or publisher.**