"Spirit Airlines is preparing to shut down.

The ailing budget airline had been hoping to finalize a $500 million lifeline from the government before running out of cash. The discount carrier hasn’t been able to get sufficient support between certain bondholders and the government to secure the funding to keep it in business, people familiar with the matter said.

Spirit is currently expected to cease operations around 3 a.m. ET Saturday.

Spirit had been in talks with the Trump administration about a deal that would have provided a cash infusion in exchange for warrants that could convert into a stake of up to 90% of the company."

Wow , thanks . That was a great piece of info!

What about the pilots on a layover? Maybe they should just JS now while CASS is still active? What a shame...

I probably would go home today, while it's easy. After the door is shut on the ride home, call in sick, just to be safe.

I mentioned that earlier. Call in sick and go home. Your paycheck for the trip you currently are on isn’t coming. Every man for themselves. Even if this isn’t the real end, I’m sure it’s causing a panic with people with future bookings. They are scrambling for refunds if they are paying attention. So the end is coming one way or another.

How nice and compassionate.
Btw……Karma is a real beatch.

ALPA is working with carriers to maintain ZED fares and potentially non-CASS flow back for at least a week

Good luck Spirit peeps. I'm sorry it ended this way and that y'all find work post Spirit quickly.

I truly feel for those in that workgroup. I've caught jumpseat rides on your aircraft a handful of times and the crews were nothing but professional and extremely courteous. This industry is such a pain in the ass.

This happened to me many moons ago Boogie while you can!

second this. Same company and same experience with a bunch of ex-NK pilots.

very sorry this is happening to you guys. Wishing for the best for everyone affected by this.

really hoping all the legacies move quickly to hire as many NK pilots as possible

To a man or woman, every spirit pilot I’ve interacted with has been absolutely awesome. I hope they all land on their feet quickly.

This sucks yall, big shoutout to all of you, everyone was always happy and in a great mood while I was commuting on your plane. Thank you again a million times for the ride home ❤️. We got your back

Oh AA played a role, no doubt, but what I was suggesting is that DAL likely had a hand in making sure the wind down was predictable as to not strand any DAL passengers. Of course, COVID seriously sped up the timeline.

7% (28) cancelled and 23% delayed. Was 6 cancelled a few hours ago.....

ABC News in FLL is live at Terminal 4.
 

The news in FLL (ABC) showed people carrying boxes out of Spirit HQ. Those people are likely concerned that they will not have access to the building if Spirit shuts down.

They were broadcasting live from Spirits ticket area in FLL.

1800 pilots in the street isn't good for any of us, especially those pilots.

Bitter much

If you're paying $500/yr for WSJ, you're doing it wrong.

About what, exactly?

How would Compass have affected any DAL passengers by the time of Compass shutdown?

One of my guys taxing in MSY just heard a Spirt jet return to the gate. Captain told ATC thanks for the help over the years. Sounds like they’re closing it down right now in real time. Hate this for everyone there. I’ve meet several Spirt pilots over the years and they were all good dudes. I hope you all land on your feet and very soon. Would love to fly with you guys!

This sucks. Wish it didn't have to end like this, always had a good experience on spirit both as a normal pax and as a commuter. Thanks spirit crews for being awesome.

$2.12/month for digital if you cancel and wait 3 hours.

And I was lucky to be home when EWA shut down. Crews were all over the world.

Sucks when it comes to this.

12% or 49 cancelled now. All red eyes appear to be cancelled. Make the walk because there’s commuters showing to plan b and c options just trying to get home.

Compass was a DAL only connection / express carrier.

As someone that has experienced an airline shut down i sincerely feel what you are all going through and it sucks!
t.y. For the jump seats I’ve ridden on and the great hospitality. I hope you all land on your feet and come to mother U and I hope to fly with
you all. So far my experience flying with the ex Spirit guys has been awesome.

Latest from WSJ at 21:52 EDT


Spirit Airlines’ time ran out Thursday evening.

In a 15-minute phone call, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Spirit Chief Executive Dave Davis agreed that the budget carrier had run out of options.

Davis, an industry executive picked to lead the embattled airline about a year ago, thanked Lutnick for his efforts leading the rescue talks, people familiar with the discussions said, and the Commerce secretary referred him to the Transportation Department for help winding down the Florida airline.

The brief conversation, as recounted by people familiar with the matter, marked the end to a weekslong saga featuring negotiations between members of President Trump’s inner circle, executives leading major U.S. airlines, and investment firms wrapped up in Spirit’s bankruptcy—and which could determine the airline’s fate.

CPZ flew for Eagle after 2016 until they repoed the last bird to the desert in April 2020

Sorry everyone. Please please please reach out to alpa SOAR or any similar program, call a loved one. You’re going to be ok, it’s **** right now but you’ll be ok.

Try again.

I was there and heard his sign off.

I'm so sorry. I wish there was something we could do to prevent this. The loss of good union jobs is horrible. There is nothing I can say to make this feel any better but we are all here for you.

0600z shutdown. Sorry guys and gals,been there before. It effing sucks.

Can you cite a source for this information? Appreciate it.

There are a lot of things being said right now, and it’d be good if we can all make sure verifiable, credible information is being shared.

Thanks

The only thing you can do is remember this the next time management comes hat in hand begging for concessions:

https://i.imgur.com/gtEXisn.jpeg

To be clear, I am not throwing shade or blaming Spirit pilots for taking concessions, just showing how ruthless these c-suite executives are. They become multimillionaires off the backs of hard working pilots who keep the operation running with limited resources and support.

Probably all of them coming to an Airline near you

A very sad day, to be sure. All of the ex-NK guys I've flown with at UAL have been great. I hope I get to fly with a lot more of y'all in the near future.

The Journal is now reporting 0300 EST in the original article I linked. For the record it was a link that was supposed to bypass the paywall

from another journal article

So sorry to all NK crews. You all have been fantastic on all of my commutes, always went above & beyond. Truly appreciated and hope everyone has a soft landing.