Spirit Airlines Added 6 New Flights. Here’s Where They’ll Be Going

Spirit Airlines is going in a completely different direction in an attempt to get away from its “low-cost carrier” reputation. Following its exit from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the once-discounted airline with a yellow airplane fleet has been adding new destinations daily to its new and improved lineup. Here’s where they’ll be going.

Spirit Airlines Is Going to 6 New Locations From North Carolina

According to WBTV 3, Spirit Airlines added six new destinations from North Carolina as of March 10. The new locations are:

• Baltimore (BWI)
• Detroit (DTW)
• Indianapolis (IND)
• Los Angeles (LAX)
• Nashville (BNA)
• Philadelphia (PHL)

Starting Thursday, May 8, four weekly flights will operate to Baltimore and Detroit. The remaining four flights will operate twice a week beginning on Friday, May 9.

“Our Charlotte Guests have embraced Spirit’s high-value travel options, which is why we’re excited to introduce new, nonstop flights so they can visit even more destinations beginning this May,” said John Kirby, vice president of network planning at Spirit Airlines, in a statement to the outlet.

Furthermore, according to Aviation A2Z, Spirit Airlines will add 40 new routes and two additional destinations by the end of 2025. The airline will improve connectivity between its current destinations while adding Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Columbia, South Carolina, to its route network.

This growth comes at a trying moment for Spirit, as the airline navigates financial losses and aircraft groundings due to continuing engine inspections. Despite obstacles, the airline is dedicated to giving its customers more travel options.

Spirit Airlines will also begin operating flights to Columbia Metropolitan Airport in South Carolina and Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport in Tennessee in June.

Newark Liberty International Airport, Orlando International Airport, and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport will all have nonstop flights to these destinations. These new routes will have one-way tickets starting at $50.

What the Airline Will Look Like Following the Chapter 11 Exit

Last month, Spirit Airlines received approval from a bankruptcy judge to exit Chapter 11 protection. The low-cost airline emerged from bankruptcy as a private company and converted $795 million in debt to equity thanks to its exit.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane authorized the airline’s restructuring plan during a hearing in White Plains, New York. Under Spirit’s bankruptcy plan, existing stock shares are canceled, and ownership is transferred to its lenders, who include investment firms managed by Citadel Advisors, UBS Asset Management, and Pacific Investment Management Company.

“We will emerge as a stronger airline with the financial flexibility to continue providing guests with enhanced travel experiences and greater value,” said Ted Christie, CEO of Spirit Airlines.

Spirit plans to issue new equity shares to raise an additional $350 million as part of its bankruptcy arrangement. The airline’s goal is to emerge from bankruptcy by the end of the first quarter of 2025.

Following this announcement, Reuters reported that the company planned to rebrand as a luxury airline, with Christie remaining on as the CEO. The company claims that focusing on more affluent passengers rather than budget-conscious ones will increase revenue per passenger by 13%. The airline intends to restructure its reward program and partner with other airlines to attract passengers.

With more seats on each aircraft and longer flight times, Spirit’s new approach differs from its former business model, which depended on budget-conscious passengers. That strategy generated operating margins in the double digits for nine consecutive years until 2020. However, Spirit found adjusting difficult as the worldwide epidemic altered the working environment and travel habits.

As inflation disproportionately hurts lower-income spenders, middle- and upper-class households are driving the desire for premium travel, shifting consumer demand in favor of full-service airlines. Spirit Airlines thinks redesigning its product will enable it to reach more affluent tourists.