Spirit Airlines aircraft are situated on the airport apron at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on May 2, 2026, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.Joe Raedle/Getty Images
The Transportation Department communicated on Saturday that a majority of air carriers will be limiting ticket costs for Spirit Airlines passengers needing to reschedule their grounded flights.
Certain companies have even lowered prices on heavily traveled routes where Spirit previously provided service.
Spirit initiated the ceasing of operations early Saturday morning after negotiations involving the airline and the federal authorities concerning a $500 million bailout package reached an impasse.
Spirit stated that passengers who secured their tickets using either a credit or debit card will obtain automatic reimbursements.
United, Delta, JetBlue, and Southwest indicated they are restricting ticket values particularly for Spirit clientele who must rebook impacted flights.
Spirit Airlines planes are parked on the tarmac at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on May 2, 2026, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.Joe Raedle/Getty Images
To gain access to these unique fares, people will have to furnish at least a Spirit flight booking number and proof of expenditure, the airlines remarked.
These fares will only be valid for a limited duration:
- JetBlue: Available for 72 hours
- Southwest: Available for 72 hours; only in person at an airport ticket counter
- Delta: Available for five days
- United: Available for two weeks online
American Airlines and Delta Air Lines are presenting lessened prices on heavily utilized Spirit corridors.
United Airlines conveyed that throughout the subsequent two weeks, clients who possessed bookings on Spirit can procure one-way tickets on United flights originating from the majority of cities where Spirit formerly functioned, encompassing Atlanta, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Newark, New Orleans, and Orlando.
The company stated it has limited a large portion of its fares to $199, although exceptions apply with extended flights not valued beyond $299.
Travelers will be obliged to input their Spirit confirmation number and validate they were scheduled to journey between May 2 through May 16 in order to meet requirements for these unique costs.
American Airlines communicated it has additionally launched a page on its website showcasing rescue fares to and from a spectrum of domestic and international locales for Spirit customers in need of rescheduling travel.
The carrier communicated it is as well examining adding further capacity, involving operating larger planes and incorporating extra flights on routes Spirit once serviced, so as to accommodate as many passengers as viable.
Allegiant Air has also pledged to maintain current fare values across routes that are the same as Spirit. To aid affected travelers, Frontier Airlines is extending up to 50% off base prices across its whole system until May 10.
To assist Spirit staff, the Department of Transportation communicated that the most prominent U.S. airlines are granting travel pass benefits and unassigned jump seats so employees are able to get back to their home locations.
Airlines are also presenting Spirit team members preferred employment interviews to guarantee they progress ahead in the line. American and United indicated they are developing microsites for Spirit employees hoping to continue a career in aviation, according to the federal entity.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com