The Rise And Fall Of Spirit Airlines

For 34 years, Spirit Airlines made waves with its rock-bottom fares, racy advertising, and bright yellow planes. At its peak, it was the largest ultra-low-cost carrier in the US, selling flights to Florida for $39. But in May 2026, Spirit shut down completely. It canceled 9,000 flights and left staff with little information. So what happened to the low-cost behemoth? And what does its sudden closure mean for cheap airfare in America? Also read "I lost my flight attendant job when Spirit shut down. I've had to manage my emotions and am hopeful I'll find new work soon": https://bit.ly/4fpMTW6 00:00 - Intro 01:07 - The Rise 03:43 - The Fall 06:19 - The Impact 11:23 - Credits ------------------------------------------------------ #spiritairlines #airlines #budgettravel WATCH MORE: The Rise And Fall Of Hooters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuTTamqrHWE The Rise And Fall Of Southern Cafeterias https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9AQJj2Pquo Red Lobster's Fall Is A Case Study Of How To Kill A Business https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AM2K20qtDZ8 Business Insider is a global newsroom covering business, technology, innovation, and the economy. Visit our homepage for the top stories of the day: https://www.businessinsider.com/?utm_source=youtube Sign up for our newsletters: https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter?utm_source=youtube Find Business Insider on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/businessinsider ... on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/businessinsider ... on X: https://x.com/BusinessInsider ... on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessinsider The Rise And Fall Of Spirit Airlines | Business Insider