For 34 years, Spirit Airlines made waves with its rock-bottom fares, racy advertising, and bright yellow planes. At its peak, it was the largest ultra-low-cost carrier in the US, selling flights to Florida for $39. But in May 2026, Spirit shut down completely. It canceled 9,000 flights and left staff with little information. So what happened to the low-cost behemoth? And what does its sudden closure mean for cheap airfare in America?
00:00 - Intro
01:07 - The Rise
03:43 - The Fall
06:19 - The Impact
11:23 - Credits
------------------------------------------------------
#spiritairlines #airlines #budgettravel
WATCH MORE:
The Rise And Fall Of Hooters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuTTamqrHWE
The Rise And Fall Of Southern Cafeterias
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9AQJj2Pquo
Red Lobster's Fall Is A Case Study Of How To Kill A Business
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AM2K20qtDZ8
Business Insider is a global newsroom covering business, technology, innovation, and the economy.
Visit our homepage for the top stories of the day: https://www.businessinsider.com/?utm_source=youtube
Sign up for our newsletters: https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter?utm_source=youtube
Find Business Insider on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/businessinsider
... on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/businessinsider
... on X: https://x.com/BusinessInsider
... on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessinsider
The Rise And Fall Of Spirit Airlines | Business Insider