History of Spirit Airlines in Timeline

Spirit Airlines is an American ultra low-cost carrier headquartered in Dania Beach, Florida, serving the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America. By 2023, it was the seventh-largest passenger carrier in North America and the largest ultra low-cost carrier on the continent. Spirit Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2024, and after financial restructuring emerged in March 2025. However, the airline filed for bankruptcy again in August 2025.

1964: Company Start

In 1964, the company that would become Spirit Airlines started as Clippert Trucking Company.

1974: Name Change

In 1974, Clippert Trucking Company changed its name to Ground Air Transfer, Inc.

1983: Airline Service Founded

In 1983, the airline service was founded in Macomb County, Michigan, by Ned Homfeld as Charter One Airlines, a Detroit-based charter tour operator providing travel packages.

May 1992: Jet Aircraft Introduced

In May 1992, Charter One brought jet aircraft into the fleet and changed its name to Spirit Airlines.

June 1, 1992: Scheduled Flights to Atlantic City Began

On June 1, 1992, scheduled flights between Detroit and Atlantic City began.

June 15, 1992: Scheduled Flights to Boston and Providence Began

On June 15, 1992, scheduled flights between Boston and Providence began.

April 1993: Service Expansion to Florida

In April 1993, Spirit Airlines began scheduled service to Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and St. Petersburg, Florida.

September 1993: Flights between Atlantic City and Fort Myers Begin

In September 1993, Spirit Airlines began flights between Atlantic City and Fort Myers, Florida.

1994: Service Begins at Philadelphia

In 1994, Spirit Airlines began providing service at Philadelphia.

1994: Overbooked Flights Incident

In the summer of 1994, Spirit Airlines overbooked flights, causing 1,400 customers' tickets to be canceled due to incorrect instructions given to travel agents. Spirit Airlines responded by pledging to ensure all paid customers would reach their destination, even if booked on a competitor's airline.

1996: First Female Pilot

In 1996, Janet Patton became Spirit Airlines' first female pilot.

1998: First Female Captain

In 1998, Janet Patton became Spirit Airlines' first female captain. At the time, Spirit was utilizing DC-9 and MD-80 aircraft.

December 1999: Headquarters Relocation

In December 1999, Spirit Airlines relocated its headquarters from the Kennedy Building in Eastpointe, Michigan, to Miramar, Florida.

1999: Spirit Headquarters Moves to Miramar, Florida

In 1999, Spirit Airlines relocated its headquarters to 2800 Executive Way, Miramar, Florida, from its previous location in Eastpointe.

2000: FAA Fine

In 2000, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) fined Spirit Airlines $67,000 for violating federal regulations on cabin and seat markings and placards.

November 2001: Service to San Juan Inaugurated

In November 2001, Spirit inaugurated service to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and implemented a Spanish-language customer service plan including a website and dedicated reservation line.

2001: Previous Comair Strike

The June 12, 2010 Spirit Airlines strike was the first passenger airline strike by American ALPA-represented pilots since Comair in 2001.

2003: Flights to Washington, D.C. Resumed

In 2003, Spirit resumed flights to Washington, D.C.'s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, which were suspended after the September 11 attacks.

January 2005: Ben Baldanza Hired

In January 2005, Ben Baldanza was hired as the President of Spirit, with the goal of making the company profitable.

2006: Service Expansion

In 2006, Spirit began service to Grand Cayman, San Francisco, and Boston.

2006: Airbus A320 Order

In 2006, Spirit exercised options to order 30 Airbus A320-200 aircraft for further expansion.

2006: Baldanza Becomes CEO

In 2006, following an investment by Indigo Partners, Ben Baldanza was elevated to the CEO role and held the position for 10 years.

2007: Spirit Plus Rebranded

In 2007, Spirit Plus was rebranded as "Big Front Seat" and business class service was discontinued.

2007: DOT Applications Filed

In 2007, Spirit filed DOT applications to offer service to Costa Rica, Haiti, the Netherlands Antilles, and Venezuela.

June 2008: WARN Application

In June 2008, Spirit Airlines made a WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notice) application to potentially relocate or lay off pilots and flight attendants, and the closure of crew bases.

September 2008: Aircraft Advertisements Begin

In September 2008, Spirit began placing advertisements on the side of aircraft, overhead bins, tray tables, seatback inserts and bulkheads.

May 2009: Pilots Vote for Strike Action

In May 2009, after negotiations, Spirit pilots voted in favor of strike action over compensation, work rules, and benefits.

March 2010: Airbus A320 Deliveries Begin

In March 2010, Spirit started receiving deliveries of the Airbus A320-200 aircraft that were ordered in 2006.

April 2010: Carry-On Bag Fee Introduced

In April 2010, Spirit Airlines became the first U.S. airline to charge passengers for carry-on bags.

June 12, 2010: Pilots Strike

On June 12, 2010, Spirit grounded its flights when its unionized pilots walked out on strike, stranding thousands of passengers.

December 2010: Free Spirit World MasterCard Introduced

In December 2010, Spirit Airlines introduced the Free Spirit World MasterCard.

2011: Public Offering

In 2011, Spirit had a public offering.

April 2012: Refusal to Refund Veteran's Ticket

In April 2012, Spirit Airlines refused to refund a terminally ill American military veteran's non-refundable ticket. This decision caused outrage among veterans' groups and the public.

August 2013: Agreement with Transport Workers Union

In August 2013, Spirit Airlines reached an agreement on a new five-year deal with the Transport Workers Union of America, representing the airline's flight dispatchers.

November 2014: Top Growth Airline Pick

In November 2014, Morgan Stanley named Spirit Airlines the top growth airline pick for investors.

2014: Spirit Airlines Miramar Office Renovation

Spirit Airlines renovated its Miramar office prior to 2014, after it had been described as a 'dump' by Chris Sloan of Airways Magazine.

December 2015: Lowest On-Time Performance Ranking

In December 2015, Spirit ranked last among thirteen airlines for on-time performance, with 68.7% of flights arriving on time.

January 2016: New CEO and Disney Institute Partnership

In January 2016, Robert L. Fornaro replaced Ben Baldanza as CEO of Spirit Airlines. Spirit also announced a partnership with the Disney Institute.

2016: Spirit Airlines Employee Count at Miramar Office

As of 2016, Spirit Airlines had 600 employees located in its office at 2800 Executive Way, Miramar, Florida.

November 2017: On-Time Performance Improvement

In November 2017, Spirit's on-time performance was second in the country.

February 2018: Top 10 Safest Airlines

In February 2018, Spirit was the only airline in North America to make the list of the top 10 safest in the world.

May 2018: High-Speed WiFi Announcement

In May 2018, Spirit announced that they would be the first ultra low-cost carrier to fit their aircraft with high-speed WiFi access that started in the fall of 2018.

October 2019: Headquarters Relocation Announced

In October 2019, Spirit Airlines announced plans to move their headquarters to Dania Beach, Florida. The new complex was planned to be around 500,000 square feet and will be equipped with flight simulators.

December 2019: Airbus A320neo Purchase

In December 2019, Spirit Airlines announced its intention to purchase 100 new Airbus A320neo family aircraft.

2019: WiFi Implementation Completion

By the summer of 2019, Spirit expected all of its aircraft to be equipped with WiFi.

2019: Spirit Airlines Announces New Headquarters in Dania Beach, Florida

In 2019, Spirit Airlines announced its plan to relocate to a new headquarters spanning up to 500,000 square feet in the Dania Pointe development in Dania Beach, Florida, with an investment of $250 million.

February 2020: Fleet Expansion Plan

A February 2020 fleet plan outlines 293 aircraft planned by 2027.

July 2020: Employee Leave of Absence Announcement

In July 2020, Spirit Airlines announced that it would put 20–30% of its employees on leave of absence in October.

July 2020: Passenger Death on Flight

In July 2020, a passenger died of COVID-19 on a Spirit Airlines flight. Passengers on the flight were not informed that they were around an infected individual.

2021: Headquarters Plan Changes

In 2021, the plans for the Spirit Airlines headquarters were changed for the 6-story headquarters to be around 180,222 square feet, the training facility to be around 100,000 square feet and the parking garage to have 998 spaces.

February 2022: Frontier Airlines Acquisition Announcement

In February 2022, Frontier Airlines announced its intention to acquire Spirit, pending regulatory approval, with Frontier Airlines stock as the surviving entity.

April 2022: JetBlue Acquisition Proposal

In April 2022, JetBlue proposed to acquire Spirit for $33 per share in cash, equivalent to $3.6 billion. In May, Spirit said its board of directors had decided not to consider JetBlue's proposal.

July 2022: JetBlue Agrees to Purchase Spirit Airlines

In July 2022, JetBlue reached an agreement to purchase Spirit Airlines for $33.50 per share, including additional inducements for Spirit shareholders. This deal aimed to create the fifth-largest airline in the United States.

July 2022: Shareholders Reject Frontier's Offer

In July 2022, Spirit's shareholders rejected Frontier's offer to acquire Spirit Airlines.

August 2022: Inflight Internet Service Transition

In July–August 2022, Spirit's inflight Internet service transitioned to a new satellite to provide the fastest Wi-Fi service of any US-based airline. The SES-17 satellite provides connection speeds of up to 400 Mbit/s throughout the flight.

2022: Frontier Airlines and Spirit Announce Merger Deal

In early 2022, Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines had announced a merger deal for $2.9 billion.

August 2023: Order Conversion to A321neo

In August 2023, Spirit Airlines converted an order for 31 Airbus A319neo into the larger A321neo.

October 2023: Trial Begins Over JetBlue's Acquisition of Spirit

In October 2023, the trial regarding JetBlue's acquisition of Spirit Airlines began. The Department of Justice sued to block the merger, alleging it would lead to "higher fares, fewer seats, and harm millions of consumers".

2023: Seventh Largest Passenger Carrier

As of 2023, Spirit was the seventh largest passenger carrier in North America and the largest ultra low-cost carrier.

January 16, 2024: Federal Judge Blocks JetBlue's Acquisition of Spirit Airlines

On January 16, 2024, a federal judge blocked JetBlue's acquisition of Spirit Airlines, citing anticompetitive concerns towards other airline corporations and potential harm to consumers. Consequently, Spirit Airlines' stock experienced a significant drop of approximately 47%, raising concerns about the airline's future.

March 4, 2024: JetBlue Ends Takeover Attempt of Spirit Airlines

On March 4, 2024, JetBlue ended its attempt to take over Spirit Airlines. This decision followed a ruling by federal judge William G. Young, who determined that the acquisition would reduce competition within the airline industry.

April 2024: Spirit Airlines Opens New Dania Pointe Headquarters

The Dania Pointe headquarters of Spirit Airlines, anticipated to house 1,000 employees, opened for business in April 2024.

September 2024: Spirit Airlines Destinations and Crew Bases

As of September 2024, Spirit Airlines flies to approximately 75 destinations throughout Central America, the Caribbean, South America, and the United States. It maintains crew bases at various locations, including Atlanta, Chicago–O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston–Intercontinental, Las Vegas, Miami, Newark, and Orlando.

November 2024: Spirit Airlines Prepares to File for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

In November 2024, Spirit Airlines announced its preparations to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. As a result, the company's stock experienced a decline of over 50%, and the quarterly results were withheld due to the impending announcement.

November 2024: Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Filing

In November 2024, Spirit Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

2024: Spirit Airlines Publicly Traded Until Bankruptcy Filing

Spirit Airlines, Inc., was publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: SAVE) until its bankruptcy filing in 2024.

January 14, 2025: New Route Introduction

On January 14, 2025, it was reported that Spirit Airlines would introduce new routes, along with some seasonal routes for spring break.

January 2025: Frontier Airlines Offers to Purchase Spirit Again

In January 2025, Frontier Airlines made another offer to purchase Spirit Airlines, proposing $2.1 billion in stock and cash, along with a $350 million investment from Spirit's creditors. Spirit rejected this offer but expressed willingness to negotiate further with Frontier.

January 16, 2025: Employee Layoffs

On January 16, 2025, Spirit Airlines laid off 200 employees to reduce costs.

January 24, 2025: Updated Dress Code

On January 24, 2025, Spirit Airlines updated its dress code, stating that a passenger can be denied boarding if they wear inappropriate clothing and/or offensive tattoos.

March 2025: Emergence from Bankruptcy

In March 2025, Spirit Airlines emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy after financial restructuring.

March 2025: Spirit Airlines Emerges from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

In March 2025, Spirit Airlines emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after finalizing its debt and having its take-private bankruptcy plan approved in February.

April 17, 2025: Emergence from Bankruptcy

On April 17, 2025, Spirit emerged from bankruptcy and named Dave Davis as its new CEO.

April 21, 2025: New CEO Effective Date

On April 21, 2025, Dave Davis' new role as CEO was to be effective.

August 2025: Spirit Airlines Announces Potential Cash Shortage

In August 2025, Spirit Airlines announced that it was running low on cash and might not be able to sustain its business for another year, indicating the need for additional funds to continue operations.

August 2025: Second Bankruptcy Filing

In August 2025, Spirit Airlines filed for bankruptcy again.

August 29, 2025: Spirit Airlines Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy for the Second Time

On August 29, 2025, Spirit Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in less than a year after a failed restructuring. This action was part of a plan to reduce its fleet and stabilize its financial position.

September 2025: Spirit Airlines Announces Furlough of Flight Attendants

In September 2025, Spirit Airlines announced plans to furlough approximately one-third of its flight attendants, affecting around 1,800 individuals. This announcement followed the company's decision to reduce flying capacity by 25% in its November schedule.

October 2025: Spirit Airlines Fleet Composition

As of October 2025, Spirit Airlines operates an all-Airbus A320 family fleet.

October 2025: Spirit Airlines Reveals "Shrink-to-Shine" Restructuring Plan Details

In October 2025, Spirit Airlines disclosed further details regarding its "shrink-to-shine" restructuring plan. The plan included the furlough of 365 pilots and the downgrading of up to 170 additional pilots in the first quarter of 2026, aiming to restore profitability, with a projected net profit of $219 million in 2027.

2025: Spirit Airlines Expected to Emerge from Bankruptcy

In November 2024, Spirit Airlines announced it was preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and expected to emerge from it by the beginning of 2025.

2026: Spirit Airlines to Furlough and Downgrade Pilots

As part of its "shrink-to-shine" restructuring plan announced in October 2025, Spirit Airlines intended to furlough 365 pilots and downgrade up to 170 additional pilots in the first quarter of 2026.