Company:Spirit Airlines

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Short description: American ultra low-cost airline


Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines logo.svg
IATA ICAO Callsign
NK NKS SPIRIT WINGS
Founded1983 (1983)
(as Charter One Airlines)
Commenced operations
  • 1990 (1990)
    (as Charter One Airlines)
  • May 29, 1992 (1992-05-29)
    (as Spirit Airlines)
AOC #GTIA770S[1]
Operating bases
  • Atlanta
  • Atlantic City
  • Chicago–O'Hare
  • Dallas/Fort Worth
  • Detroit
  • Fort Lauderdale
  • Houston–Intercontinental
  • Las Vegas
  • Miami
  • Orlando
Frequent-flyer programFree Spirit[2]
Fleet size202[3]
Destinations91[4]
Traded as
HeadquartersMiramar, Florida, United States
Key peopleTed Christie (CEO & President)
RevenueIncrease US$5.07 billion (2022)[5]
Operating incomeDecrease US$−599 million (2022)[5]
Net incomeDecrease US$−554 million (2022)[5]
Total assetsIncrease US$9.18 billion (2022)[5]
Total equityDecrease US$1.57 billion (2022)[5]
Employees11,000 (2023)[5]
Websitespirit.com

Spirit Airlines, Inc. (stylized as spirit) is a major United States ultra-low cost airline headquartered in Miramar, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. Spirit operates scheduled flights throughout the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America. Spirit was the seventh largest passenger carrier in North America (As of 2023) as well as the largest ultra-low-cost carrier in North America.

History

Establishment and early history

The company started as Clippert Trucking Company in 1964.[6][7] In 1974, the company changed its name to Ground Air Transfer, Inc. In 1983, the airline service was founded in Macomb County, Michigan, by Ned Homfeld as Charter One Airlines, a Detroit-based charter tour operator providing travel packages to entertainment destinations such as Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and the Bahamas.[6]

1990s

In May 1992, Charter One brought jet aircraft into the fleet and changed its name to Spirit Airlines.[6][8] Scheduled flights between Detroit and Atlantic City began on June 1, 1992.[8] Scheduled flights between Boston and Providence began on June 15, 1992.[8]

In April 1993, Spirit Airlines began scheduled service to Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and St. Petersburg, Florida.[8] Flights between Atlantic City and Fort Myers, Florida, began in September 1993.[9] Service at Philadelphia began in 1994.[10] During the next five years, Spirit expanded further, increasing service from Detroit and adding service in new markets such as Myrtle Beach, Los Angeles, and New York City.

In the summer of 1994, Spirit Airlines overbooked flights, and 1,400 customers' tickets were canceled.[11] The overbooking occurred because Spirit Airlines had given incorrect instructions to travel agents, causing those tickets not to be valid, even though the customers had paid for the flights.[11] In response to criticism, Spirit Airlines said it would make sure all paid customers would always be able to fly to their destination, even if Spirit Airlines had to book them on a competitor's airline.[11]

In 1996, Janet Patton became Spirit Airlines' first female pilot.[12] In 1998, she became the first female captain.[12] At the time, Spirit was utilizing DC-9[13] and MD-80 aircraft.[citation needed]

Spirit initially had their headquarters in Eastpointe, Michigan, formerly East Detroit, in Metro Detroit.[14] It relocated its headquarters in November 1999, moving to Miramar, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area.[6][15] Prior to the decision to move the headquarters to Miramar, Spirit considered Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Detroit, Michigan.[16]

An old Spirit livery on a DC-9

2000s

In 2000, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) fined Spirit Airlines $67,000 for violating federal regulations on cabin and seat markings and placards.[17] Discrepancies were found in the marking and placarding of emergency equipment, passenger seats, storage areas and doors on eight of Spirit's DC9 and MD80 aircraft.[18][19]

In November 2001, Spirit inaugurated service to San Juan, Puerto Rico. They implemented a fully integrated Spanish-language customer service plan, including a website and dedicated reservation line.[20]

In the fall of 2003, Spirit resumed flights to Washington, D.C.'s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, which were suspended after the September 11 attacks. Spirit began service to Grand Cayman, San Francisco, and Boston in 2006. In 2007, Spirit filed DOT applications to offer service to Costa Rica, Haiti, the Netherlands Antilles, and Venezuela.[citation needed]

In January 2005, Ben Baldanza was hired as the President of Spirit, with the goal of making the company profitable. In 2006, following an investment by Indigo Partners, Baldanza was elevated to the CEO role and held the position for 10 years. This included a complete transformation of the business model and a public offering in 2011.

In 2006, Spirit exercised options to order 30 Airbus A320-200 aircraft for further expansion. Deliveries began in March 2010.[21]

In June 2008, Spirit Airlines made a WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notice) application to potentially relocate or lay off hundreds of pilots and flight attendants, and the closure of their San Juan and LaGuardia crew bases.[22] In September 2008, Spirit began placing advertisements on the side of aircraft, overhead bins, tray tables, seatback inserts and bulkheads.[23]

In May 2009, after more than four years of inconclusive negotiations between the airline and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), Spirit pilots overwhelmingly (98% of votes) voted in favor of strike action over compensation, work rules, and benefits. At that time, Spirit pilots were among the lowest-paid Airbus pilots in the United States. On June 12, 2010, Spirit grounded its flights when its unionized pilots walked out on strike, stranding thousands of passengers. This was the first passenger airline strike by American ALPA-represented pilots since Comair in 2001.[24][25]

On June 15, negotiations between the airline and ALPA resumed. A tentative agreement was reached late in the evening on June 16. The tentative agreement, which Spirit pilots later ratified by a 74%,[26] brought Spirit pilots' compensation and benefits in line with comparable Airbus operators in the US. Flights resumed on June 18.[27]

In 2007, Spirit Plus was rebranded as "Big Front Seat" and business class service was discontinued. For an additional fee, a person could choose "Big Front Seat", or upgrade at the airport. In December 2010, Spirit Airlines introduced the Free Spirit World MasterCard.[28]

A Spirit MD-83 at Los Angeles International Airport.

2010s

In April 2010, Spirit Airlines became the first U.S. airline to charge passengers for carry-on bags.[29] They were later followed by Allegiant Air and Frontier Airlines.[30]

In April 2012, citing the airline's strict refund policy, Spirit Airlines representative Misty Pinson announced that the airline would not issue a refund to dying veteran Jerry Meekins, who had purchased a non-refundable ticket between Florida and Atlantic City.[31] The 76-year-old Vietnam veteran and Marine tried to get his $197 back after learning his esophageal cancer was terminal and being told by his doctor not to fly.[32] The decision caused outrage among veterans' groups and the general public, some of whom threatened to boycott Spirit unless both a refund and apology were issued. In May, Spirit CEO Ben Baldanza apologized for how the situation was handled and personally refunded Meekins' ticket. The airline made a $5,000 donation to the Wounded Warrior Project in Meekins' name.[33]

In August 2013, Spirit reached an agreement on a new five-year deal with the Transport Workers Union of America, who represent the airline's flight dispatchers.[34]

In November 2014, Morgan Stanley named Spirit the top growth airline pick for investors.[35]

In January 2016, former AirTran CEO Robert L. Fornaro replaced Baldanza as CEO.[36] This prompted rumors of a merger with Frontier Airlines,[37] which would have created the largest ultra-low-cost carrier in the Americas.[38] Fornaro announced the airline would be teaming up with the Disney Institute to "create a common purpose and a fresh set of service standards", and changing policies internally to create a more welcoming environment.[39]

In November 2017, Spirit's on-time performance was second in the country, behind only Delta Air Lines, a significant improvement from December 2015, when it ranked last among thirteen airlines with 68.7% of flights arriving on time.[40] In February 2018, Spirit was the only airline in North America to make the list of the top 10 safest in the world.[41]

In May 2018, Spirit announced that they would be the first ultra-low-cost carrier to fit their aircraft with high-speed WiFi access that started in the fall of 2018. All of their aircraft were expected to be equipped with WiFi by summer 2019.[42]

In October 2019, Spirit Airlines announced plans to move their headquarters to Dania Beach, Florida. The new complex was planned to be around 500,000 square feet and will be equipped with flight simulators. The plans were changed in 2021 for the 6-story headquarters to be around 180,222 square feet, the training facility to be around 100,000 square feet and the parking garage to be around 998 square feet.[43]

In December 2019, Spirit Airlines announced its intention to purchase 100 new Airbus A320neo family aircraft.[44]

2020s

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Spirit Airlines received $334 million in aid in the form of grants and loans via the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES). The money was used to fund employees until September 30. In July 2020, the company announced that it would put 20–30% of its employees on leave of absence in October.[45] In August, some pilots and flight attendants agreed to take a voluntary leave of absence or have their work schedule temporarily reduced to avoid layoffs.[46]

In July 2020, a passenger died of COVID-19 on a Spirit Airlines flight.[47] Spirit Airlines claimed it notified the Centers for Disease Control but there was no record of the contact. Passengers on the flight were not informed that they were around an infected individual.[47]

In February 2022, Spirit announced its intention to be acquired by Frontier Airlines pending regulatory approval, with Frontier Airlines stock being the surviving entity.[48] The deal would make the combined airline the fifth largest airline in the U.S.[49][50] In July 2022, Spirit's shareholders rejected Frontier's offer.[51]

In April 2022, JetBlue proposed to acquire Spirit for $33 per share in cash, equivalent to $3.6 billion.[52][53] In May, Spirit said its board of directors has decided not to consider JetBlue's proposal. According to Spirit Airlines, JetBlue's proposed acquisition would be unlikely to be approved by the U.S. Department of Justice's Antitrust Division, because it would likely believe that an ultra-low-cost carrier being purchased by a higher-fare airline would increase fares for consumers. Spirit noted that the Antitrust Division is looking into JetBlue's strategic partnership with American Airlines for the same reason.[54]

In July–August 2022, Spirit's inflight Internet service, provided by Thales' FlytLIVE, transitioned to a new satellite to provide "the fastest Wi-Fi service of any US-based airline". The SES-17 high-throughput satellite from operator SES provides A320 and A321 passengers across all Spirit routes with connection speeds of up to 400 Mbps throughout their flight.[55][56][57]

In July 2022, JetBlue reached an agreement to purchase Spirit for $33.50 per share, with additional inducements for Spirit shareholders.[58][59] If the deal goes through, the unified company will become the fifth-largest airline based in the United States.[59] (As of October 2022), the deal was approved by a majority of the airline's voting shareholders.[60] The Department of Justice has sought to block the deal, taking JetBlue to court over the sale.[61] In legal filings, the Justice Department claims that the merger will result in "higher fares, fewer seats, and harm millions of consumers".[62][63] The trial began in October 2023.[64] Following a trial, a federal judge blocked JetBlue's acquisition of Spirit Airlines on January 16, 2024, citing that the deal was anticompetitive towards other airline corporations and would harm consumers. As a result, Spirit Airlines' stock fell by approximately 47%, and the airline expressed concern over its future. Speculators predicted that that Spirit may have to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection followed by a liquidation process if the airline could not come up with a growth plan.[65][66][67] However, on January 18, Spirit denied these speculations, stating that the company has no plans to file for bankruptcy and is currently looking for new plans to maintain its future.[68]

Corporate affairs

Ownership

Spirit Airlines, Inc., is a Delaware corporation[69] that is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: SAVE).

Business trends

The key trends for Spirit Airlines are (years ending December 31):

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Turnover ($m) 1,932 2,141 2,320 2,644 3,323 3,831 1,810 3,230 5,068
Net profit after tax ($m) 225 317 263 416 156 335 −429 −473 −554
Number of employees (average FTE) 3,722 4,326 5,159 6,100 7,110 8,938 8,756 9,218 11,107
Number of passengers ('flight segments')(m) 14.3 17.9 21.6 24.2 29.3 34.5 18.4 30.8 38.5
Passenger load factor (%) 86.7 84.7 84.7 83.1 83.9 84.4 69.7 78.8 81.9
Number of aircraft (at year end) 65 79 95 112 128 145 157 173 194
Notes/sources [69][70] [69][71] [69][71] [69] [69] [72] [73] [74]


Headquarters

Spirit has its headquarters at 2800 Executive Way, Miramar, Florida.[69] It moved there from its previous Eastpointe location in 1999. (As of 2016) there were 600 employees located in the office. Chris Sloan of Airways Magazine stated that the building was "nondescript low slung".[75] Sloan added that the interior, prior to a 2014 renovation, was, "To put it charitably, [...] a dump", but that employees felt ownership over the office.[75]

In 2019 the airline announced that it would move to a new headquarters of up to 500,000-square-foot (46,000 m2) in the Dania Pointe development in Dania Beach, Florida, spending $250 million. The airline anticipates that it will house 1,000 employees.[76]

Business model

Under CEO Ben Baldanza, Spirit began a transition to an ultra-low-cost carrier, following a fare model involving charging for amenities that are often included in the base ticket price of traditional carriers. Passengers who wanted to customize their itinerary or seat selection paid an add-on fee for each additional feature, which enabled the carrier to earn ancillary revenue in excess of 40% of total revenue.[77] These included having an agent print a boarding pass at check-in versus doing it online or at a kiosk,[78] for any large carry-on or checked bags, progressive fees for overweight bags, selected seat assignments, travel insurance, and more.[79]

Controversy

Spirit Airlines has been the subject of numerous complaints, and to punitive actions by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT). Most of the claims against the company were for allegations of deceptive advertising practices, customer service, and the airline's policies for charging additional fees at the time of purchase:

  • In November 2011, the DOT fined Spirit $43,900 for alleged deceptive advertising practices. The complaint claimed that the airline had been running an advertising campaign which promoted specific discounted fares on billboards, posters, and Twitter, but did not disclose full details regarding extra fees added onto the advertised rates.[80][81]
  • In January 2012, the DOT fined Spirit $100,000 for mishandling of complaints related to its treatment of customers with disabilities.[82][83]
  • In 2013, and 2015, the DOT received more passenger complaints about Spirit than any other airline. The rate of complaints was "dramatically higher" than the overall rate for the industry.[84][85]
  • On August 3, 2021, Spirit Airlines cancelled 40% of its flights, leaving travelers stranded because it had no arrangements with other airlines to book its passengers on other airlines' flights. Spirit Airlines said, "We're working around the clock to get back on track in the wake of some travel disruptions over the weekend due to a series of weather and operational challenges. We needed to make proactive cancellations to some flights across the network, but the majority of flights are still scheduled as planned."[86] By August 10, the schedule was stabilizing.[87]
  • In June 2023, a passenger was forced to urinate on the floor of a galley after a flight attendant denied her bathroom access for over two hours. The flight attendant filmed the incident and called the smell of her urine offensive. Meanwhile, the guest pleaded with the crew to allow her to use the bathroom which they continually refused.[88][89]

Destinations

Spirit currently flies to 83 destinations throughout Central America, the Caribbean, South America, and the United States. (As of July 2022), It maintains crew bases at Atlanta, Atlantic City, Chicago–O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston–Intercontinental, Las Vegas, Miami, and Orlando.[90][91]

Fleet

A Spirit Airlines Airbus A319-100 in the earlier blue paint scheme, used from 2007 until 2014
A Spirit Airlines Airbus A319-100 painted in the grayscale livery used from 2002 until 2007
A Spirit Airlines Airbus A321-200 in the current yellow livery, carrying the former "Bare Fare" titles used from 2014 until 2018

Current fleet

(As of January 2024), Spirit Airlines operates an all-A320 and all-A320neo family fleet.[92] A February 2020 fleet plan outlines 293 aircraft planned by 2027.[93] An order of 100 additional aircraft with 50 options was announced in October 2019.[94][95]

Spirit Airlines fleet
Aircraft In
service 		Orders Passengers Notes
C Y Total
Airbus A319-100 17 — 10 135 145 To be retired by 2025.[96]
Airbus A320-200 64 — 8 174 182
Airbus A320neo 82 39 Orders include 50 options.
Airbus A321-200 30 — 8 220 228
Airbus A321neo 8 60 8 227 235 31 converted from A319neo in July 2023.[97]
Total 202 101[97]

Historical fleet

The following aircraft formerly operated in the Spirit Airlines fleet:[92]

Spirit Airlines historical fleet
Aircraft Total Introduced Retired Replacement
McDonnell Douglas DC-9-21 3 1995 1997 None
McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31 6 1992 2003 McDonnell Douglas MD-80
McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32 7
McDonnell Douglas DC-9-41 2 1996
McDonnell Douglas MD-81 6 1999 2005 Airbus A320 family
McDonnell Douglas MD-82 15 1998 2007
McDonnell Douglas MD-83 15 2010
McDonnell Douglas MD-87 1 2000 2009

Services

Frequent-flyer program

Spirit Airlines' frequent-flyer program is called Free Spirit.[98] Spirit has a three-tier frequent flyer status program. The tiers are Free Spirit Member, Silver (Earn 2,000 status qualifying points in a calendar year), and Gold (Earn 5,000 status qualifying points in a calendar year).

See also

  • Air transportation in the United States
  • JetBlue

References

  1. ↑ "Federal Aviation Administration – Airline Certificate Information – Detail View". https://av-info.faa.gov/detail.asp?DSGN_CODE=GTIA&OPER_FAR=121&OPER_NAME=SPIRIT+AIRLINES+INC. 
  2. ↑ "Join – Free Spirit". https://www.spirit.com/FreeSpiritEnrollment.aspx. 
  3. ↑ "A Look at Spirit Airlines' Fleet". September 2, 2023. https://simpleflying.com/spirit-airlines-fleet-september-2023. 
  4. ↑ "Spirit Airlines on ch-aviation" (in en). https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/airline/NK. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 "Spirit Airlines, Inc., 2022 Annual Report (Form 10-K)". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. February 6, 2023. https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1498710/000149871023000080/save-20221231.htm. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Spirit Airlines – History". Spirit Airlines, Inc.. August 1, 2011. https://www.spirit.com/Content/Documents/en-US/Spirit%20Airlines%20History.pdf. 
  7. ↑ Nicas, Jack (May 14, 2012). "A Stingy Spirit Lifts Airline's Profit". The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/DJFLBO0020120514e85en8quu. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Wittkowski, Donald (May 30, 1992). "Small Airline Expands A.C. Flights with Jets". http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_product=AWNB&p_theme=aggregated5&p_action=doc&p_docid=0EAEA993C4A53F89&p_docnum=1&p_queryname=5. 
  9. ↑ "Spirit Expands Fla./Atlantic City Air Service". September 5, 1993. http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_product=AWNB&p_theme=aggregated5&p_action=doc&p_docid=0EAEAA63E256D6D7&p_docnum=8&p_queryname=6. 
  10. ↑ Belden, Tom (April 12, 1994). "Atlanta-based Line Plans Phila. Flights". https://infoweb.newsbank.com/home/login?destination=infoweb.newsbank.com%3Fdb%3DAWNB%26wedirect%3Dtrue. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Sangiacomo, Michael (June 8, 1994). "Spirit Airlines Pledges That Anyone With Ticket Will Fly". http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_product=AWNB&p_theme=aggregated5&p_action=doc&p_docid=0F807D0AE6E11C92&p_docnum=18&p_queryname=6. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Bryant, Paul (April 9, 2021). "Commercial pilot, daughter team up to fly hot air balloons over Denton". Denton Record-Chronicle. https://dentonrc.com/news/commercial-pilot-daughter-team-up-to-fly-hot-air-balloons-over-denton/article_01058015-8ce6-58ca-8fa2-d10ef89581ac.html. 
  13. ↑ "Three 99s earn United Airlines Type Ratings together". International Women Pilots (The Ninety-Nines Inc.). August 1997. https://www.ninety-nines.org/pdf/newsmagazine/19970708.pdf. 
  14. ↑ "World Airline Directory". Flight International. March 25–31, 1998. p. 92. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1998/1998%20-%200756.html?search=. "Spirit Airlines: 18121 East 8 Mile Road, Eastpointe, 48021, Michigan, USA" 
  15. ↑ "Spirit Airlines Honored as 'Good Corporate Citizen of the Year'". Miramar Business Appreciation 2003. Business Wire. February 13, 2003. http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-22389646_ITM. 
  16. ↑ "AS THE SPIRIT MOVES THEM". Sun Sentinel. August 8, 1999. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1999/08/08/as-the-spirit-moves-them/. 
  17. ↑ "- SPIRIT AIRLINES INC | Violation Tracker" (in en). https://violationtracker.goodjobsfirst.org/violation-tracker/-spirit-airlines-inc-21. 
  18. ↑ "FAA To Fine TWA, Spirit For Violations" (in en). http://aviationweek.com/awin/faa-fine-twa-spirit-violations. 
  19. ↑ "Ex-employee of Spirit Airlines files suit on maintenance records" (in en-US). Skift. February 17, 2013. https://skift.com/2013/02/17/spirit-airlines-ex-employee-files-suit-on-falsified-maintenance-records/. 
  20. ↑ Melewar, T. C. (April 10, 2015). Corporate Branding: Areas, arenas and approaches. Routledge. p. 47. ISBN 978-1-317-95091-2. https://books.google.com/books?id=SKcGCAAAQBAJ&q=In+November+2001%2C+Spirit+inaugurated+service+to+San+Juan%2C+Puerto+Rico%2C+and+implemented+a+fully+integrated+Spanish-language+customer+service+plan+including+a+website+and+dedicated+reservation+line.&pg=PA47. 
  21. ↑ "Production List Search". https://www.planespotters.net/production-list/search?fleet=Spirit-Airlines&manufacturer=Airbus&subtype=A320-200&fleetStatus=current. 
  22. ↑ "New York Business News – Business, Money, Financial & Corporate News" (in en). http://www.wnbc.com/money/16476021/detail.html. 
  23. ↑ Hugo Martin (May 21, 2010). "Are carry-on bag fees hurting Spirit Airlines?". Los Angeles Times. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/money_co/2010/05/are-carryon-bag-fees-hurting-spirit-airlines.html. 
  24. ↑ "Spirit Airlines cancels all flights as pilots go on strike" (in en). CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/06/12/airline.strike/index.html?iref=allsearch. 
  25. ↑ "Spirit Airlines cancels all flights as pilots go on strike". CNN. June 12, 2010. https://edition.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/06/12/airline.strike/index.html. 
  26. ↑ "Spirit Airlines pilots approve a new contract". Sun Sentinel (Sun-Sentinel Company). https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2010/07/23/spirit-airlines-pilots-approve-a-new-contract/. 
  27. ↑ Johnsson, Julie (June 16, 2010). "Spirit, pilots reach deal to end strike". Chicago Tribune. https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-xpm-2010-06-16-ct-biz-0617-spirit-airlines-20100616-story.html. 
  28. ↑ "Spirit Airlines World MasterCard® Credit Card". Bank of America. https://www.bankofamerica.com/credit-cards/products/spirit-airlines-credit-card.go. 
  29. ↑ "Spirit Airlines to Charge New Fee for Carry-On Luggage" (in en). April 6, 2010. https://abcnews.go.com/Travel/spirit-airlines-charge-fee-carryon-luggage-bag-surcharge/story?id=10298802. 
  30. ↑ Gilbertson, Dawn (October 19, 2018). "Flying Spirit, Frontier or Allegiant? Here are 12 things you need to know" (in en). https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/2018/10/19/spirit-frontier-allegiant-baggage-fees-seat-fees-users-guide/1645179002/. 
  31. ↑ "Spirit Airlines' final answer to dying Vietnam vet seeking ticket refund: No". Fox News. April 30, 2012. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/04/30/spirit-airlines-stands-by-policy-denies-dying-florida-man-refund-request/. 
  32. ↑ Miller, Joshua Rhett (May 3, 2012). "Spirit Airlines' boss calls industry-high complaint rate 'irrelevant,' says dying veteran should've bought insurance". Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/us/spirit-airlines-boss-calls-industry-high-complaint-rate-irrelevant-says-dying-veteran-shouldve-bought-insurance. 
  33. ↑ Miller, Joshua Rhett (May 4, 2012). "Spirit bows to pressure: Airline CEO to refund dying veteran's fare". Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/us/spirit-bows-to-pressure-airline-ceo-to-refund-dying-veterans-fare. 
  34. ↑ "TWU Dispatchers Ratify New Agreement With Spirit Airlines". Transport Workers Union of America. August 20, 2013. https://www.twu.org/twu-dispatchers-ratify-new-agreement-with-spirit-airlines/. 
  35. ↑ Tuttle, Brad (October 29, 2014). "America's Cheapest Airline Looks to Make Flights Even Cheaper". Money.com. https://money.com/spirit-airlines-cheap-flights/. Retrieved November 12, 2014. 
  36. ↑ Mayerowitz, Scott (January 5, 2016). "Brash, fee-happy CEO of Spirit Airlines abruptly replaced". AP News. Associated Press. https://apnews.com/ce55f96013544575a9e8812b22b670af. 
  37. ↑ "ANALYSIS: New Spirit chief refuels Frontier merger rumours" (in en-GB). FlightGlobal. January 6, 2016. https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-new-spirit-chief-refuels-frontier-merger-r-420538/. 
  38. ↑ Levine-Weinberg, Adam (November 1, 2016). "Spirit Airlines Gets a New CEO: Reading Between the Lines". The Motley Fool. http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/01/06/spirit-airlines-gets-a-new-ceo-reading-between-the.aspx. 
  39. ↑ Martin, Hugo (November 18, 2017). "Spirit Airlines turns to Disney to improve its customer service". http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-travel-briefcase-spirit-20171118-story.html. 
  40. ↑ Martin, Grant. "Spirit Airlines Now Delivers More Flights On Time Than American Or United" (in en). Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/grantmartin/2018/01/14/spirit-airlines-now-delivers-more-flights-on-time-than-american-or-united/. 
  41. ↑ James, Nancy (2023-10-04). "Is Spirit Airlines Safe To Fly? – Spirit Airlines Safety Record". https://airlinespolicy.com/blog/is-spirit-airlines-safe-to-fly/. 
  42. ↑ "Spirit is first budget airline in the US to offer WiFi". May 11, 2018. https://www.engadget.com/2018/05/11/spirit-airlines-wifi/. 
  43. ↑ "Spirit Airlines Plans Smaller Headquarters in Dania Beach". September 14, 2021. https://therealdeal.com/miami/2021/09/14/spirit-airlines-slashes-size-of-planned-headquarters-at-dania-pointe/. 
  44. ↑ "Spirit Airlines to buy 100 Airbus A320neo family aircraft". December 23, 2019. https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/23/spirit-airlines-to-buy-100-airbus-a320neo-family-aircraft.html. 
  45. ↑ Arrojas, Matthew (July 30, 2020). "Spirit Airlines prepares to furlough 20% to 30% of employees". South Florida Business Journal. https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2020/07/30/spirit-airlines-prepares-to-furlough-workers.html. 
  46. ↑ "Spirit Airlines Reaches Deal With Pilots to Avoid Layoffs". https://www.travelpulse.com/news/airlines/spirit-airlines-reaches-deal-with-pilots-to-avoid-layoffs.html. 
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 Duncan, Ian (October 31, 2020). "A woman died of coronavirus on a plane. Her fellow passengers were never notified.". The Washington Post (Washington, DC). https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/woman-dies-coronavirus-plane/2020/10/31/2d8246dc-1878-11eb-82db-60b15c874105_story.html. 
  48. ↑ "Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines to Combine, Creating America's Most Competitive Ultra-Low Fare Airline" (Press release). Securities and Exchange Commission.
  49. ↑ LeBeau, Phil (February 7, 2022). "Frontier and Spirit to merge creating fifth-largest airline in U.S." (in en). CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/07/frontier-and-spirit-to-merge-creating-5th-largest-airline-in-us.html. 
  50. ↑ Schaper, David; Hernandez, Joe (February 7, 2022). "Frontier-Spirit merger promises better deals and service; critics aren't so sure". NPR. https://www.npr.org/2022/02/07/1078842162/spirit-frontier-spirit-airlines-merger. 
  51. ↑ Chokshi, Niraj (2022-07-27). "Spirit Airlines and Frontier call off a proposed merger." (in en-US). The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/27/business/spirit-airlines-frontier-jetblue.html. 
  52. ↑ Josephs, Leslie (April 5, 2022). "JetBlue makes all-cash offer for Spirit Airlines, complicating planned Frontier tie-up" (in en). CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/05/spirit-airlines-shares-spike-20percent-on-report-jetblue-has-made-bid-to-buy-airline.html. 
  53. ↑ "JetBlue Submits Superior Proposal to Acquire Spirit,Positioning America's Much-Loved Airline as the Most Compelling National Low-Fare Challenger to the 'Big Four' Airlines" (Press release). Securities and Exchange Commission.
  54. ↑ Isadore, Chris (May 2, 2022). "Spirit rejects JetBlue's offer, saying it wants to be bought by Frontier". CNN Business. https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/02/investing/spirit-rejects-jetblue-offer/index.html. 
  55. ↑ "Spirit Airlines Completes Initial High-Speed Wi-Fi Installation, Takes Ultra-Low Fare Air Travel Experience to New Heights" (Press release). Spirit Airlines. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  56. ↑ Kirby, Mary (2022-08-21). "Spirit's transition to SES-17 satellite capacity continues apace". https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2022/08/spirit-ses-17/. 
  57. ↑ "Spirit Airlines Passengers Enjoy Fast Wi-Fi in the Sky Enabled by High-Powered SES-17 Satellite" (Press release). Spirit Airlines. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  58. ↑ "Ex-99.1". https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1158463/000119312522204208/d319514dex991.htm. 
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 Sider, Alison (28 July 2022). "JetBlue Agrees to Buy Spirit Airlines for $3.8 Billion After Frontier Deal Dies". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. https://www.wsj.com/articles/jetblue-agrees-to-buy-spirit-for-3-8-billion-11659005196?mod=hp_lead_pos1. 
  60. ↑ Koenig, David (October 19, 2022). "Spirit Airlines shareholders approve $3.8B sale to JetBlue" (in en). Yahoo!finance. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/spirit-airlines-shareholders-approve-3-131610163.html. 
  61. ↑ Raymond, Nate (October 31, 2023). "US seeks to block JetBlue's Spirit Airlines deal at trial" (in en). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/us-seeks-block-jetblue-spirit-airlines-merger-trial-2023-10-31/. 
  62. ↑ Bartz, Diane; Shepardson, David (March 7, 2023). "US sues to stop JetBlue's deal for Spirit, cites consumer harm". Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/business/us-announce-antitrust-enforcement-action-tuesday-2023-03-07/. 
  63. ↑ Isidore, Chris (2023-03-07). "US Justice Department sues to block JetBlue's purchase of Spirit Airlines | CNN Business" (in en). https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/07/business/justice-department-jetblue-spirit-antitrust/index.html. 
  64. ↑ Raymond, Nate (2023-10-31). "US seeks to block JetBlue's Spirit Airlines deal at trial" (in en). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/us-seeks-block-jetblue-spirit-airlines-merger-trial-2023-10-31/. 
  65. ↑ Michaels, David; Sider, Alison (January 16, 2024). "Federal Judge Blocks JetBlue's $3.8 Billion Acquisition of Spirit Airlines". The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/business/airlines/jetblue-spirit-airline-merger-blocked-4b2ba920?mod=hp_lead_pos1. 
  66. ↑ "US judge blocks JetBlue from acquiring Spirit Airlines" (in en). January 16, 2024. https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/us-judge-blocks-jetblue-acquiring-spirit-airlines-2024-01-16/. 
  67. ↑ "Focus: Spirit Airlines finds itself with few options after judge blocks deal with JetBlue" (in en). January 16, 2024. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/spirit-airlines-finds-itself-with-few-options-after-judge-blocks-deal-with-2024-01-16/. 
  68. ↑ "Spirit Air Says No Bankruptcy Planning After JetBlue Setback" (in en). January 18, 2024. https://news.bloomberglaw.com/bankruptcy-law/spirit-air-says-no-plans-for-restructuring-after-jetblue-setback?context=search&index=0. 
  69. ↑ 69.0 69.1 69.2 69.3 69.4 69.5 69.6 "Spirit Airlines FORM 10-K December 31, 2018". Spirit Airlines. February 13, 2019. http://ir.spirit.com/Cache/396731595.pdf. 
  70. ↑ "Spirit Airlines, Inc., 2014 Annual Report" (in en). February 18, 2015. https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/s/NASDAQ_SAVE_2014.pdf. 
  71. ↑ 71.0 71.1 "Spirit Airlines, Inc., 2016 Annual Report" (in en). February 13, 2017. https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/s/NASDAQ_SAVE_2016.pdf. 
  72. ↑ "Spirit Airlines, Inc., 2019 FORM 10-K Annual Report" (in en). April 16, 2020. http://s24.q4cdn.com/507316502/files/doc_financials/2019/ar/2019-Form-10-KA.pdf. 
  73. ↑ "Spirit Airlines, Inc., Annual Report" (in en). 2020. https://s24.q4cdn.com/507316502/files/doc_financials/2020/ar/c2a41aa1-7a65-44e3-86c4-6a7e7a917c1a.pdf. 
  74. ↑ "Spirit Airlines, Inc., Annual Report" (in en). 2022. https://s24.q4cdn.com/507316502/files/doc_financials/2022/q4/SAVE-2022.12.31-10K-filed-2.6.23.pdf. 
  75. ↑ 75.0 75.1 Sloan, Chris (May 13, 2016). "A Look into Spirit Airlines' Frills-Free Corporate HQ and OCC". Airways Magazine. https://airwaysmag.com/airlines/spirit-airlines-frills-free-corporate-hq-occ/. 
  76. ↑ Pounds, Marcia Heroux (October 17, 2019). "Spirit Airlines to invest $250 million in new headquarters and move 1,000 employees". South Florida Sun Sentinel. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/fl-bz-spirit-headquarters-dania-beach-20191017-aczpimcvdffopgnuegakniyfjy-story.html. 
  77. ↑ "Spirit Airlines tops global ancillary revenue per PAX rankings" (in en-US). http://www.frontiermagazine.co.uk/news/spirit-airlines-tops-global-ancillary-revenue-per-pax-rankings-21-07-2016/. 
  78. ↑ Satchell, Arlene (March 13, 2013). "Spirit to double fee for agent-printed boarding passes in April". Sun Sentinel. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2013/03/20/spirit-to-double-fee-for-agent-printed-boarding-passes-in-april/. 
  79. ↑ "Our optional fees". Spirit Airlines. http://www.spirit.com/optionalfees.aspx. 
  80. ↑ "DOT Fines Spirit Airlines for Violating Price Advertising Rulest" (in en). US Department of Transportation. November 21, 2011. https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/dot-fines-spirit-airlines-violating-price-advertising-rulest. 
  81. ↑ Martin, Hugo (November 22, 2011). "Spirit Airlines fined for how it advertised $9 airfares". Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/2011/nov/22/business/la-fi-spirit-fine-20111122. 
  82. ↑ "DOT Fines Spirit Airlines Over Handling of Disability Complaints" (in en). US Department of Transportation. January 27, 2012. https://www.transportation.gov/affairs/2012/dot1412.html. 
  83. ↑ Martin, Hugo (January 27, 2012). "Spirit Airlines fined $100,000 over disabled passengers' complaints". Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jan/27/business/la-fi-mo-spirit-airlines-fine-20120127. 
  84. ↑ LeBeau, Phil (February 18, 2016). "Spirit Airlines triggered the most complaints". CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2016/02/18/spirit-airlines-triggered-the-most-complaints.html. 
  85. ↑ Christie, Les (April 11, 2014). "Spirit Airlines tops complaint list". CNN Money. https://money.cnn.com/2014/04/11/pf/airline-complaints/index.html. 
  86. ↑ Torres, María Paula Mijares; Rosenberg, Amy S. (August 3, 2021). "Philadelphia-area travelers are left stranded as Spirit Airlines cancels flights across the country". https://www.inquirer.com/news/spirit-airlines-phl-philadelphia-international-airport-20210803.html. 
  87. ↑ Josephs, Leslie (August 10, 2021). "Spirit Airlines stabilizes after more than a week of travel chaos". CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2021/08/10/spirit-airlines-stabilizes-after-more-than-a-week-of-travel-chaos.html. 
  88. ↑ "Woman Urinates on Plane's Floor, Claims Airline Didn't Let Her Use Washroom". https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/woman-urinates-on-planes-floor-claims-airline-didnt-let-her-use-washroom-4233480. 
  89. ↑ "Spirit Airlines Crew Refuses to Let Passenger Use the Restroom, She's Forced to Go on the Floor". July 21, 2023. https://viewfromthewing.com/spirit-airlines-crew-refuses-to-let-passenger-use-the-restroom-shes-forced-to-go-on-the-floor/. 
  90. ↑ Satchell, Arlene (June 3, 2015). "Spirit recruits hundreds of flight attendants". Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale). http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/tourism/fl-spirit-air-job-fair-20150603-story.html. 
  91. ↑ "Spirit Airlines expands again, adds new route to U.S. Virgin Islands". https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/todayinthesky/2018/02/20/spirit-airlines-expands-again-adds-new-route-u-s-virgin-islands/354199002/. 
  92. ↑ 92.0 92.1 "Spirit Airlines Fleet Details and History" (in en). https://www.planespotters.net/airline/Spirit-Airlines. 
  93. ↑ "Fleet Plan – Spirit Airlines, Inc.". Spirit Airlines, Inc.. June 20, 2020. https://ir.spirit.com/resources/fleet-plan/default.aspx. 
  94. ↑ "Spirit Airlines to buy 100 Airbus A320neo family aircraft" (in en). Reuters. December 23, 2019. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spirit-airlines-orders-idUSKBN1YR22H. 
  95. ↑ "Spirit Airlines finalises order for 100 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft" (in en). https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2020-01-spirit-airlines-finalises-order-for-100-airbus-a320neo-family. 
  96. ↑ "US's Spirit Airlines to retire A319s by the end of 2025". https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/123747-uss-spirit-airlines-to-retire-a319s-by-the-end-of-2025. 
  97. ↑ 97.0 97.1 "Orders and deliveries | Airbus". September 30, 2023. https://www.airbus.com/en/products-services/commercial-aircraft/market/orders-and-deliveries. 
  98. ↑ "Free Spirit® Status Match FAQ". https://spirit.statusmatch.com/faq/. 

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