Spirit Airlines is once again facing serious financial trouble, and this time, the impact is hitting close to home for its workers. The airline has announced plans to furlough 1,800 flight attendants as part of its latest cost-cutting measures. For many of you who travel often or even know someone who works in aviation, this news raises questions about why this is happening and what comes next for Spirit and its employees.
Why is spirit airlines furloughing flight attendants?
Spirit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month, the second time in less than a year. The company said it needs to temporarily cut jobs to match staffing levels with a sharp drop in expected flight demand. In a statement, Spirit explained, “We recognize the impact of this decision on affected team members, and we are committed to treating them with care and respect during this process.”
Here is what you should know:
- Spirit is preparing to furlough 1,800 flight attendants.
- Voluntary furloughs will be offered first, starting Nov. 1.
- If not enough people volunteer, involuntary furloughs will begin Dec. 1, based on seniority.
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Which cities are losing spirit service?
As part of its bankruptcy restructuring, Spirit is pulling out of several U.S. cities. That means fewer flights and less need for staff. The airline is ending services in:
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Birmingham, Alabama
- Boise, Idaho
- Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Columbia, South Carolina
- Portland, Oregon
- Salt Lake City, Utah
In California, Spirit will also suspend operations in Sacramento, Oakland, San Diego, and San Jose. If you live in or travel through these cities, you will soon have to find other options.
What is the union doing to support workers?
The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), which represents Spirit’s cabin crew, has been trying to protect its members. In a message to its members, the union admitted that while it managed to delay job cuts at first, the scale of flight reductions has made layoffs unavoidable.
The AFA said it is pushing to secure “preferential interviews” for affected flight attendants with other airlines. This means that furloughed workers may have a better chance of being hired elsewhere rather than waiting months or years for Spirit to recover.
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How did Spirit get into this crisis again?
Spirit’s struggles go back to the pandemic. Since 2020, the airline has lost more than $2.5 billion. Rising operating costs, mounting debt, and failed buyout attempts from JetBlue and Frontier have only made things worse. Even after coming out of bankruptcy earlier this year, Spirit could not stay afloat.
The company has already announced furloughs for about 270 pilots and plans to downgrade some 140 captains to first officers. Spirit has also said it may sell off planes and real estate to cut costs.
What does this mean for passengers?
For you as a traveler, fewer Spirit flights mean fewer low-cost options, especially if you live in the cities where service is ending. Spirit is known for its budget fares, and losing those flights could mean higher prices from other airlines that remain. If you already booked a flight in one of the cities Spirit is leaving, you should check directly with the airline for rebooking or refunds.
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