Following the recent shutdown of Spirit Airlines, fellow budget airline Avelo Airlines is offering discounted air fares for former Spirit customers, including 75% off base fares on select routes across its network. The airline is also encouraging displaced Spirit employees to apply to join its growing team of crew members, following thousands of job losses caused by its closure.
Why did Spirit shut down?
Founded in 1983 in Detroit, Spirit Airlines was once a leading U.S. ultra-low-cost carrier. However, rising costs and increasing competition across the aviation sector in recent decades ultimately plunged the airline into financial insecurity.
In August 2025, the airline filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection amid rising debts, citing “substantial doubt” about its viability to continue operating as a business. The Trump administration offered Spirit some hope of remaining above water by initiating talks of a potential $500 million loan from the federal government. However, rescue talks collapsed, signalling the final nail in the coffin for Spirit.
On May 2, 2026, the airline completely shut down its operations and all remaining flights were cancelled. Customers are now being refunded the cost of the cancelled flights.
What is Avelo Airlines offering instead?
Founded in 1987, Avelo Airlines is a Houston-based budget airline with hopes to fill the gap in the market left by Spirit’s absence.
On their website, they pledged to reduce stress for those affected by the Spirit Airlines shutdown, saying:
“We know this has been a stressful stretch for a lot of travelers. What we can pledge is that Avelo will keep showing up — with low fares, amazing Crew, and the soul of service.”
To deliver this, they are offering discounted air fares to former Spirit customers, including 75% off base fares for select routes across its network for travel through Nov. 17, 2026.
Avelo Airlines is currently expanding its operations, including opening a new base in the North Dallas region. As its team grows, the airline is encouraging former Spirit Airlines customers who may now be out of work to apply to join its ranks. The International Business Times estimates that between 14,000 and 20,000 jobs were affected by Spirit’s closure.
The expansion of Avelo also includes the addition of new routes for the airline as it continues to grow.
Have you been affected by the shutdown of Spirit Airlines? What do you think of Avelo’s offer? Let us know in the comments below!
