Spirit Airlines airplanes have taken flight for the final time.
Over the weekend, Spirit Aviation Holdings, the airline’s parent company, announced its immediate closure after failing to secure a $500 million federal bailout. They revealed:
“It is with great disappointment that on May 2, 2026, Spirit Airlines started an orderly wind-down of our operations, effective immediately. To our Guests: all flights have been cancelled, and customer service is no longer available. We are proud of the impact of our ultra-low-cost model on the industry over the last 33 years and had hoped to serve our Guests for many years to come.”
Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revealed the same day the airline luckily has a reserve to refund tickets for passengers whose flight have been canceled, but other than that, they’re dunzo.
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Since 2024, the airline has filed for bankruptcy twice. And with fuel prices skyrocketing in the wake of the Iran conflict, they reportedly just couldn’t stay above water! Donald Trump attempted to keep the company afloat by proposing a bailout that would give the US government a 90 percent stake, but was unsuccessful. Duffy compared Trump to “a dog on a bone trying to figure out a way to keep Spirit afloat,” but “in the end, a deal couldn’t be reached.”
In the time since, Spirit Airlines passengers have taken to TikTok to share emotional goodbyes. In one video recorded mid-air on the second-to-last flight before closing down, a pilot breaks into tears while announcing the news.
@osnadrach I feel so bad so all the workers ???? #fyp #spiritairlines #spiritflight @Redakted
♬ Classic classical gymnopedie solo piano(1034554) – Lyrebirds music
In another video, various Spirit Airlines planes are tracked up until the very last flight.
@t_oh_d The last @Spirit Airlines flights on May 2, 2026. I only flew them once, but sad to see the Flying Bananas are no more. I feel for all the employees, but hopefully they can land on their feet soon enough! #spiritairlines #aviation #aviationlovers #flightradar24
In a third, a family thanked the airline for “allowing” them to travel with their daughter without “breaking [the] bank.”
@stoddardfam From her first flight, to her last #ripspirit you will be missed @Spirit Airlines ???? #airport #spiritairlines #flyingwithkids #travel
A fourth video set to Charlie Puth’s See You Again, a signature yellow airplane is seen landing.
@ingaviation Rest in peace Spirit Airlines ???? #farewell #spiritairlines #airbus #shutdown #goodbye
In a fifth video, a passenger documents a pilot who was supposed to “fly his retirement” with the airline prior to the shutdown.
@liv.plessl Caught me crying on the plane #spirit I love you @Southwest Airlines #airport #travel #pilot #fyp
So sad!
What are YOUR reactions, Perezcious readers??
[Images via MEGA/WENN]
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