Major airlines offer rescue fares, backup options to stranded Spirit customers, employees
Editor's Note
Immediately after Spirit Airlines grounded all its planes early Saturday morning, its former competitors across the airline industry raced to offer backup options to stranded passengers and employees.
Most major airlines are offering at least some accommodations to travelers affected by the Florida-based budget airline's grounding. Depending on the route and airline, we're seeing everything from rescue fares to discounts — plus, several airlines are offering up seats to Spirit flight attendants and pilots displaced after the airline abruptly stopped flying
All told, if you were supposed to fly Spirit this weekend and ended up stuck somewhere, you may have options on another airline — options that won't involve paying exorbitant last-minute ticket prices.
Meanwhile, some of Spirit's top former foes were quick to add flights in some cities previously served by the carrier.
Below, you'll find an option of what each of the largest U.S. airlines is doing to assist:
American Airlines
American Airlines on Saturday morning said it was offering cheaper rescue fares on routes and key cities where it went head-to-head with Spirit.
The carrier also planned to consider adding extra flights and swapping in larger aircraft on key routes "to support as many affected passengers as possible."
Beyond that, American said it would provide transportation for Spirit employees displaced, and would hold recruiting events in the coming weeks for former Spirit workers looking for jobs.
COMPLETE COVERAGE FROM TPG: Spirit Airlines shuts down
- Spirit Airlines has gone out of business, canceling all flights
- Spirit's big yellow planes are grounded for good: A sad ending for the storied budget carrier
- What consumers need to know: Protections, tips for travelers after Spirit shuts down
- Will your credit card reimbursed you if you booked a flight on Spirit?
- How (and when) to dispute a credit card charge
"We recognize this is a difficult moment for the Spirit Airlines team and the airline's customers, and American stands ready to assist however we can," the Fort Worth-based carrier said in a statement Saturday.
Delta Air Lines
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Delta Air Lines planned to cap ticket prices and reduce fares on high-volume routes where it overlapped with Spirit.
Delta would leave those reduced fares in place for up to five days, the DOT said early Saturday.
United Airlines
United Airlines sent an open letter to Spirit customers and employees early Saturday detailing the assistance the carrier would offer.
United launched a website with special fares for stranded passengers. Most fares, United said, were capped at $199 one-way and cover most cities Spirit flew from — most notably Atlanta, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Newark, New Orleans and Orlando.
Rescue fares on longer flights were capped at no more than $299, United said.
To qualify, Spirit customers can go to united.com/specialfares, enter their Spirit confirmation number and proof of purchase for travel between May 2 and 16.
In order to qualify, they'll also have to sign up for United's MileagePlus loyalty program.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines said it would charge Spirit customers set, flat fares at airport ticket counters for domestic flights as follows:
- Flights of 500 miles or less: $200 one-way
- Flights of 501 to 1,000 miles: $300 one-way
- Flights of 1,000 miles or more: $400
The Dallas-based carrier also noted that Spirit loyalists with Free Spirit Silver or Gold elite status can match into the airline's Rapid Rewards program with A-List status.
"Southwest looks forward to extending its hospitality to Spirit customers and offers its heartfelt sympathies to Spirit's employees," the carrier said Saturday.
JetBlue
JetBlue announced it would offer $99 rescue fares to Spirit customers.
To qualify for these fares on JetBlue, passengers would need to show they were scheduled to fly on Spirit between now and May 6, and on the same (or similar) route.
The airline urged travelers to call 1-800-JETBLUE to discuss options.
JetBlue also said it would extend its jumpseat agreement for Spirit employees, and offer interviews to workers for open roles.
"This is really tough news for the thousands of Spirit team members affected, as well as the customers who were planning trips on Spirit," JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty said in a statement Saturday. "We want to help fill the void created by this loss."
Plus, the airline said it would cap all Blue Basic (basic economy) fares at $299 on JetBlue-operated nonstop routes it went head-to-head with Spirit on to and from:
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
- San Juan's Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU)
Meanwhile, JetBlue didn't waste any time in adding service at FLL, where it had already been rapidly expanding its presence as Spirit had pulled back its flight offerings in recent months.
JetBlue on Saturday announced 11 new destinations out of FLL, each launching between July and October. It also said it would bolster its flying on existing routes.
JetBlue and Spirit had pursued a merger earlier this decade, but the tie-up was blocked in federal court after the Biden administration sued on antitrust grounds.
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines, arguably Spirit's top competitor in the budget airline space, said Spirit flyers can qualify for up to 50% off of base fares.
You have to book by May 10, but it can apply to flights through Nov. 19.
There are some restrictions and blackout dates, including: you have to fly on Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday to qualify for the biggest discounts, though Frontier will offer 10% off on other days.
And, you have to book at least three weeks in advance.
However, these fares are available across Frontier's entire network. The Denver-based ultra-low-cost carrier noted it operated service on more than 100 routes previously flown by Spirit.
You'll find the full details here.
"Spirit Airlines played an important role in expanding access to affordable travel and bringing more low fares to more people," Frontier's Chief Commercial Officer Bobby Schroeter said Saturday.
We'll continue to update this story with new information as we learn more.
Related reading:
- When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
- The best airline credit cards
- Which US airline is best? TPG's latest rankings
- Flight delayed or canceled? Here's what to do
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations
- Summer sticker shock: Airfare up 15% as high jet fuel costs take hold