If you’ve ever flown with Spirit Airlines, you probably know it for its low prices and no-frills experience. But behind the budget deals, the airline is now facing one of the most serious financial crises in its history. After years of operating without profits, Spirit is slashing jobs and reducing its flight schedule just to stay afloat.
Starting November 1, 2025, Spirit will lay off 270 pilots. It’s part of a much bigger issue that’s been building for years—and now passengers, staff, and industry experts are all watching to see what happens next.
Context
Let’s rewind a bit. Spirit Airlines hasn’t seen a profit since 2019. The situation got worse in November 2024, when it filed for bankruptcy—the first major U.S. airline to do so since American Airlines back in 2013. Filing for bankruptcy was supposed to give the airline a chance to restructure and recover. But so far, it hasn’t worked.
Demand for low-cost tickets continues to drop, and that’s bad news for an airline that mostly targets budget travelers. With fewer people booking cheap seats, Spirit’s main business model is crumbling.
Cuts
With declining ticket sales, Spirit is trimming down its operations. That means fewer flights and, naturally, fewer pilots needed. The company confirmed it’s firing 270 pilots to match its reduced flight schedule.
To get a sense of how much the airline has shrunk, Spirit cut one million seats from its flight offerings during May and June 2025—a 24% drop compared to the same time last year. And this isn’t the first round of layoffs in 2025. It’s the third.
Statement
Spirit representatives told Forbes that these cuts are all about survival. Their goal is to “operate as efficiently as possible” and hopefully turn a profit again. The airline says it’s trying to restructure for the long term.
This situation reflects something happening across the entire industry. According to Andrew Nocella of United Airlines, economy class is losing money, while premium seats are gaining popularity. That spells trouble for budget carriers like Spirit, which depend almost entirely on economy ticket sales.
Image
But financial struggles aren’t Spirit’s only problem. The airline is also dealing with image issues—some caused by recent controversies. One of the most talked-about cases involved a woman, Tanasia Grayer, who was denied boarding because of her outfit.
Her shorts were deemed “inappropriate” under Spirit’s updated dress code, even though she offered to wear a robe over them. The airline stuck by its decision, stating that passengers must have “adequate coverage” to board.
The story spread quickly online, and like many viral incidents, it added fuel to the fire of criticism surrounding Spirit’s customer service. In times of crisis, a bad reputation can make a difficult situation even worse.
Passengers
So, what should you do if you fly Spirit? Keep an eye on your itinerary. With fewer staff and fewer flights, there’s a higher chance of cancellations or schedule changes. Spirit may still be operating, but it’s doing so on a much smaller scale.
While Spirit hasn’t shut down, the road ahead doesn’t look easy. Its future depends on whether it can rebuild trust, recover financially, and keep passengers choosing them despite all the turbulence.
Would you stick with Spirit, or start looking for other budget options?
FAQs
Why is Spirit Airlines laying off pilots?
Due to fewer flights, the airline is reducing staff to cut costs.
When will the pilot layoffs start?
Starting November 1, 2025, 270 pilots will be let go.
Is Spirit Airlines still flying?
Yes, but with fewer flights and a smaller structure.
Why are passengers upset with Spirit?
Recent incidents, like dress code issues, hurt its public image.
Should I expect flight changes with Spirit?
Yes, there may be delays or cancellations due to reduced staff.
