Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Secures Relief for Spirit Airlines’ Flyers and Employees

Coordination across aviation industry will ensure ticketholders get where they need to go, workforce has new job opportunities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today announced a series of actions in coordination with U.S. carriers to support Spirit ticketholders, the general flying public, and airline employees impacted by Spirit ceasing operations.

“Yet another mess the traveling public has to inherit thanks to the radical policies of Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg. In blocking the Jetblue/Spirit merger in 2024, they turned their backs on the American consumer and our great aviation workforce,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. “Regardless of how we got here, the Trump Administration is committed to taking care of you and your family when you fly. In a matter of hours, we’ve activated our airline partners to ensure passengers are not stranded, communities maintain route access, fares do not skyrocket, and Spirit’s workforce is connected to new job opportunities.”

Below is a summary of the various actions the airline industry is offering. Members of the media and the general public are encouraged to check out airlines individual websites for additional information.

A complete breakdown of Airlines for America’s member actions can be found HERE.

Actions for Flyers:

Following conversations with the Department of Transportation, America Airlines, United, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Allegiant, Frontier, Avelo, and Breeze have all agreed to support impacted Spirit passengers in different ways.

1. Capped ticket prices

United, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest are all capping ticket prices specifically for Spirit customers who now need to rebook cancelled flights. To access these special prices, individuals will need to provide at a minimum a Spirit flight confirmation number and proof of payment. Please refer to each individual airlines website for additional specifics.

These fares will only be available for a select time period:

• JetBlue: Available for 72 hours
• Southwest: Available for 72 hours only in person at an airport ticket counter
• Delta: Available for 5 days
• United: Available for two weeks online 

2. Reduced fares

For any consumers worried about higher prices, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines are offering reduced fares on high-volume Spirit routes. Allegiant has also committed to freezing fare prices across routes that overlap with Spirit. To support impacted travelers, Frontier is offering up to 50% off base fares across its network until May 10th.

Actions for Former Spirit Employees:

Most major U.S. carriers are extending travel pass benefits and spare jump seats to Spirit pilots, flight attendants, and other employees who need to return home. They have also offered Spirit team members preferential employment interviews to ensure they jump the queue.

In addition, both American Airlines and United Airlines are creating microsites for Spirit employees looking to continue a career in aviation.

Refresher on Compensation Rules:

Bankruptcy proceedings are complex, and they can potentially impact what compensation consumers were entitled to.

Spirit ticketholders pursuing a refund should:

1. Contact your credit card company: If you purchased your ticket with a credit card, you may be protected under the Fair Credit Billing Act. Contact your issuer to request a "chargeback" for services not rendered.

2. Check your travel insurance: If you have travel insurance, contact your provider to see if your policy covers “insolvency” or “service cessation.”

3. File a bankruptcy claim: You may file a formal "proof of claim" with the bankruptcy court. Please note that this process can take time and may only result in a partial refund.

Reminder:

When the Biden and Buttigieg administration blocked a proposed Spirit/JetBlue merger in 2024, they bragged it was "a victory for U.S. travelers who deserve lower prices and better choices."

Democrats in Congress opposed to the merger said it would “have led to fewer flights and higher fares.”