If you’ve checked a flight tracker lately, you might have noticed something odd about those bright yellow planes. It isn’t just your imagination. Spirit Airlines is currently navigating the most turbulent chapter in its 30-plus-year history, and honestly, the situation is changing by the hour.
We aren't just talking about a few late arrivals. As of January 2026, Spirit is deep in a high-stakes second Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring. It’s a messy, complicated process that has left travelers wondering if their tickets will even be worth the digital paper they’re printed on by summertime.
The Reality of Spirit Airlines News Today
Let’s get the big question out of the way first: Yes, they are still flying.
But "flying" and "flying reliably" are two different things right now. In the first few days of January 2026, Spirit hit a massive wall. On New Year’s Day alone, the airline scrapped about 11% of its flights. By the next day, that number jumped to 14%. Imagine standing at the gate in Fort Lauderdale or Orlando, bags packed, only to realize every seventh flight on the board is just... gone.
What's actually happening behind the scenes is a "sick call" crisis. During the recent holiday peak, employee sick calls surged by a staggering 250% compared to previous years. It’s a classic domino effect. The airline is already running on a "lean" budget because of the bankruptcy, so when crews call out, there’s no backup. There’s no safety net.
Why the Bankruptcy is Different This Time
Most people remember the first filing back in late 2024. That was supposed to be a quick fix. It wasn't.
✨ Don't miss: Getting to Burning Man: What You Actually Need to Know About the Journey
Spirit filed for Chapter 11 again in August 2025 because the original plan basically fell apart. They are currently sitting on over $3.3 billion in debt. To keep the lights on, they’ve had to take some pretty desperate measures:
- Selling the fleet: They’ve shed nearly half of their Airbus planes.
- Dumping airports: In January 2026, Spirit officially pulled out of Phoenix, St. Louis, Milwaukee, and Rochester.
- Cutting routes: Over 40 routes have been adjusted or axed entirely this month alone.
The pilots’ union (ALPA) is currently pleading with bondholders like Citadel to keep the money flowing. It’s a game of chicken. If the lenders stop the cash, the airline could move from "reorganizing" to "liquidating."
Is Your Ticket Safe?
If you have a flight booked for next week, you’re probably fine. Most experts, including those monitoring the bankruptcy court in New York, agree that a total shutdown is unlikely in the next 30 days. Spirit just secured a $100 million lifeline in December 2025 to keep the engines turning through the winter.
The real danger zone starts in the spring of 2026.
The court has set a "Bar Date" of January 27, 2026. This is the deadline for people the airline owes money to—creditors, vendors, even some passengers—to file their claims. It's a technical milestone, but it’s a big one. It signals the beginning of the end for the restructuring phase. By Q2 2026, we will know if Spirit emerges as a smaller, "premium-lite" airline or if they finally cave and merge with Frontier.
🔗 Read more: Tiempo en East Hampton NY: What the Forecast Won't Tell You About Your Trip
The New Spirit Experience: "Go Comfy"
Surprisingly, while the company fights for its life in court, it’s also trying to change its personality. Gone are the days when Spirit prided itself on being the "bare fare" villain.
They’ve introduced a "Go Comfy" tier. It gives you 32 inches of legroom (about four inches more than the standard seat) and a guaranteed empty middle seat. If you're a Free Spirit Gold member, you even get a free snack and a drink—yes, even the alcoholic ones—which was unthinkable three years ago.
It feels a bit like the airline is trying to dress up for a job interview. They need to prove they can make money from people who aren't just looking for a $19 fare. They need the "premium" dollars to survive.
The Loyalty Loophole
What about your points? Honestly, this is where it gets tricky.
Technically, your Free Spirit points are "unsecured debt." If the airline were to disappear tomorrow, those points would likely vanish with it. However, under the current restructuring, Spirit is fighting tooth and nail to keep the loyalty program active. They know that if people stop trusting the points, they stop booking the flights.
💡 You might also like: Finding Your Way: What the Lake Placid Town Map Doesn’t Tell You
They even launched a "More Fly" promotion recently, offering up to 7,500 bonus points for round trips. It’s a clear move to keep cash coming in. If you have a mountain of points sitting in your account, the smartest move is to use them sooner rather than later.
Actionable Steps for Travelers in 2026
The travel landscape is shifting fast. If you're looking at a Spirit flight because the price is right, you need a strategy.
1. Watch the Hubs
If you are flying out of Fort Lauderdale, you have a better shot. Spirit is actually expanding there, aiming for 100 daily departures. If you're in a "fringe" city like St. Louis or Phoenix, be careful. You might find your route discontinued before you even get to the airport.
2. Book with a Credit Card (Always)
This is non-negotiable right now. If the airline liquidates, your credit card’s "failure to provide services" protection is your only real way to get a refund. Don't use points or debit if you can avoid it for high-value trips.
3. Have a Backup Plan
If you have a "must-attend" event—a wedding, a cruise, a job interview—Spirit might not be the right gamble this month. With the current crew shortage causing 10% to 14% cancellation rates, the risk of a "day-of" collapse is higher than at United or Delta.
4. Check the Claim Deadline
If the airline owes you money for a past flight cancellation or a lost bag from 2025, you must file your claim by the January 27, 2026 deadline. After that, the door slams shut.
Spirit is trying to prove it can be a "standalone" airline by 2027. It’s a bold goal for a company that’s currently being propped up by emergency loans and union concessions. Whether they make it depends entirely on whether the bondholders believe in the "Go Comfy" future or if they’d rather just sell the yellow planes to the highest bidder.