(2 May 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Houston - 2 May 2026
1. Mid of a sign announcing Spirit Airlines’ shutdown on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston.
2. Mid of a man removing plastic-covering from self check-in machine
3. Sign announces Spirit Airlines’ shutdown.
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Saadia Alleyne, Traveler:
"So I've Been Flying With Spirit for about a decade Now; but I've always the boys final season prime had a good experience except for waking up this morning to a text saying that my flight was canceled for today, and I panicked for a little bit, but I had to go ahead and fly with another Airline.
5. Mid of self-check-in machine covered in plastic sheets.
6. Wide of self-check-in machines covered in plastic sheet seen at Spirit Airline counter area.
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Sheri Terrell, Traveler:
“The affordableness that I was enjoying has now gone away. It has been ripped one of the things. It's just usda new snap retailer rules another wrinkle you can say in today's economy with everything else.”
8. Pan of Spirit Airline counter area
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Saadia Alleyne, Traveler:
"I feel like Spirit has usually been the leeds elections 2026 economical way to fly, but as in recent times, we've been having difficulties with just keeping their booking. So it was signs, It was telling signs that the end was near, but you know, it's here and I got caught up in the middle of it."
10. Wide of Spirit Airline counter area.
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Sheri Terrell, Traveler:
“This is just another thorn I have to do. Which is just kind of unfortunate again because I'm already dealing with a lot of things. So, this on top of what I am already dealing with, It's just unfortunate, truly unfortunate.
12. Mid of man walking past Spirit Airline counter area
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Saadia Alleyne, Traveler:
"I feel really bad for the people who are not financially equipped to be able to re-book as quick because there's no refunds that was issued yet."
14. Wide of Spirit Airline counter area
STORYLINE:
The collapse of the U.S.-based Spirit Airlines may mark the end of an era for travelers with a certain financial sensibility.
But if you’ve been snagged in their now-defunct flight schedule, here are some things to know on how to get home, and get whole.
Many airlines that used to compete with Spirit are now parachuting in with deals to save their travelers.
Airlines including American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines are capping or reducing ticket prices for people to book new flights.
There is a limited window for this deal, which prioritizes now-stranded travelers who need to find a new way to their next destination.
For those who were planning to fly Spirit and now need to find an alternative to the ultra low cost carrier, American, Allegiant, Frontier and Delta advertised reduced fares on the same routes Spirit once flew.
Spirit Airlines said they were prepared for an “orderly wind-down” of its operations, and that it will automatically process refunds for any flights booked on a credit or debit card.
Travelers who booked through third-party travel agencies should direct refund requests to those agents.
Anyone else who got their reservation through vouchers, credit or points will have to wait and see though Spirit’s bankruptcy process.
If there are questions about whether your money will make a safe landing back to your wallet, there are other ways to try to claw back your cash for the Spirit flight not taken.
AP video by Lekan Oyekanmi
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