The airline, which had been operating for more than three decades, had been beset by financial challenges in recent years; it filed for bankruptcy in 2024 and again in 2025. On Saturday, Spirit said soaring fuel costs—a product of the war in Iran, and a trend that has forced other airlines to raise their prices or cancel flights altogether—was the final straw that drove it out of business.
Read More: What You Can Do If Your Flight Is Canceled Amid the Jet Fuel Crisis
Yes. All Spirit flights were canceled, starting on Saturday. The carrier advised all customers not to go to the airport.
If I booked a Spirit flight, will I get a refund?
Unfortunately, if you booked your flight on an old credit or debit card that isn’t active anymore, Spirit said it can’t refund you for the trip. The carrier said that customers who fall under that category can try submitting a claim to the U.S. bankruptcy court, but that there is no guarantee that they would receive a refund.
A Spirit spokesperson told TIME that most of the customers who booked their flights on a credit or debit card were refunded as of Saturday evening. The spokesperson said that refunds could take some time to appear in a customer’s bank account, adding that Monday is the first banking day since the company shuttered its operations.
Karen Schaler, the creator of Travel Therapy TV, advises Spirit customers to be proactive about their refund. Even if you purchased your flight through an active credit card, Schaler recommends calling your credit card company to dispute the charge for services not rendered.
“I would not advise sitting back,” she adds.
No. Spirit said on its website that it can’t help impacted customers rebook their trips with another carrier. But on Saturday, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced that several airlines are offering services to support travelers who are affected by Spirit’s shutdown. For instance, United, Delta, JetBlue, and Southwest are capping airfares for Spirit customers who need to rebook their flights. American and Delta are also offering reduced fares in certain situations.
I’m nervous to book flights amid these travel disruptions. Is there anything I should do differently or keep in mind as I’m planning trips right now?
Spirit customers are not the only travelers grappling with travel disruptions right now. Jet fuel is one of the most expensive operating costs for airlines, and its price tag has soared in recent weeks. The rising cost is attributed to the war in Iran, which started on Feb. 28 and has resulted in a global shortage of jet fuel. Airlines around the world are trying to offset those costs by raising prices for customers, including baggage fees and airfares, or canceling flights altogether.
The U.S. Travel Association said in a statement to TIME that it recommended travelers plan ahead, book trips earlier, and “build in flexibility where possible,” amid the uncertainty around costs associated with traveling.
Schaler says the biggest tips she has for travelers are to plan ahead, be prepared, and to travel smart.
“Now more than ever,” she says, “you want to book your trip early.”
She recommends setting a flight price alert, such as through Google Flight; that way, you can grab the best airfare offer quickly when you see it’s available. She also suggests buying your tickets during off-peak times. In other words, don’t purchase your flights on Friday night or over the weekend; try getting your tickets in the middle of the week, around midnight.
She also suggests purchasing flexible fares wherever possible so that you can change or cancel your trip without being charged any fees. And she encourages people to use their travel points, which can also give travelers more flexibility.
And she urges people to do their research and be prepared for any situation. She recommends checking out the U.S. Department of Transportation’s website, which allows you to select your airline and see what the carrier has committed to offer you if your flight is canceled or delayed. Checking that online tool, she says, will help you know what your rights are in those situations so you can remain calm if something does end up disrupting your flight.
“Have a Plan B and a Plan C, especially if you’re traveling for an important event,” Schaler says. “You have to be your own travel expert right now. It’s the only way to really survive. Spend the extra half hour before you fly, make a little file, put it in your phone or print it up so you have … this information. It’ll take away your stress [and] it’ll take away your anxiety.”
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