LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — As of midnight on Saturday, Spirit Airlines is no more.
The company on Friday declined to comment on reports that it would shut down after negotiations of a possible government bailout fell through. As of Saturday, the airline has ceased operations.
The announcement puts tens of thousands of airline passengers across the country in travel limbo.
National
Spirit Airlines closes, grounds fleet, leaves customers seeking alternatives
In a statement issued Saturday morning, Las Vegas's Harry Reid International Airport is informing travelers of their options.
Spirit Airlines served 16 markets from the Las Vegas airport, including Atlanta, Nashville, Burbank, Baltimore, Dallas-Fort Worth, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Orlando, Chicago, Reno, San Antonio, Orange County (John Wayne), and Tampa.
All of those destinations, according to an airport spokesperson, are currently served by at least one other airline.
What happens now?
The airport is advising passengers to contact their booking provider, if they booked through a third-party, or their credit card issuer to inquire about a refund for canceled flights.
You can also contact other airlines that fly to your destination from Las Vegas and explore available options to re-book.
"Airport customer service staff are available on site to assist passengers in the terminal," a spokesperson wrote.
LAS officials add that the airport "remains fully operational, with all other airline services continuing as scheduled."
Some airlines are offering discounts or rebates to passengers affected by Spirit's sudden closure.
In a social media statement, Southwest Airlines wrote that it is "prepared to assist travelers affected by disruptions related to Spirit Airlines' cessation of operations. Customers holding Spirit reservations may only access special Southwest fares at Southwest ticket counters at their departure airport for eligible routes through 11:59 p.m. CDT (9:59 p.m. PST) on Wednesday, May 6."
According to the company's website, the following fares will be offered for domestic travel in markets where Spirit also flew:
- One to 500 miles — $200
- 501 to 1,000 miles — $300
- More than 1,000 miles — $400
Delta Air Lines says it is offering "reduced, nonrefundable rescue fares in affected markets over the next five days to help travelers book last-minute travel." More information was posted on the company's website.
Frontier Airlines says it will offer affected Spirit customers 50% off base fares and a $199 "GoWild All-You-Can-Fly Summer Pass."
In addition, Frontier says it plans to "expand further this summer, with nine additional routes, plus 15 additional daily flights across 18 former Spirit markets." More information was posted on the airline's website.
JetBlue shared that it will offer "rescue fares" for Spirit Airlines customers.
For all routes that were operated by Spirit as of April, JetBlue says customers can book one-way fares for $99 with valid proof of a Spirit Airlines ticket for the same route, now through May 6. More information was posted on the company's website.
United says it will cap fares on most one-way flights where Spirit Airlines also flew.
"Most special non-stop fares are capped at $199, with longer and connecting flights priced no higher than $299 in United Economy," the company stated on its website.
Allegiant Airlines is offering 50% back in points for Spirit customers who join its Allways Rewards program, through May 12. The company states it will also "temporarily hold fares steady across all routes that overlap with Spirit." More information about the offer is posted on the airline's website.
