Spirit Airlines built a model the industry copied. Then it collapsed.

NewsWorldAmericasSpirit Airlines built a model the industry copied. Then it collapsed.Spirit Airlines has ended its 34-year run, closing the chapter on a discount carrier that reshaped U.S. air travelBernard Condon & Rio YamatSaturday 02 May 2026 16:55 BSTBookmarkBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":false,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"3e7dd24da12e6a092346e790221db2e3","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/spirit-spirit-airlines-detroit-dallas-atlanta-b2969494.html","title":"Spirit Airlines built a model the industry copied. Then it collapsed."}}Spirit Airlines (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekdayYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USEmail*SIGN UPI would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice{"className":"sc-1ge0fwe-0","newsletterData":{"regSourceNewsletter":"IND_Evening_Newsletter","regTitle":"Evening Headlines","subscriptionGroup":"us_evening_headlines","subscriptionGroupId":"4326e634-422a-4447-8e1e-604a937cd3b5","type":"daily_news","pathPrefix":["/us","/news/world/americas","/news/world/americas/crime"],"title":"The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday","mobileTitle":"Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US","imageSrc":"https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/images/newsletters/usEveningHeadlines1_1.png","label":"I would like to receive morning headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts by email","newsletterKey":"receiveEveningHeadlinesUSNews","regSourceSection":"Americas","regSourceMethod":"NSCs"},"isClimate":false}Spirit Airline...