Spirit Airlines shuts down — Photos show the end of the airline

Flights information screens show Spirit Airlines's cancellations at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on May 2, 2026. US air carriers mobilized Saturday to help passengers and crew members stranded by the overnight shutdown of Spirit Airlines, after last-minute talks with creditors and the White House collapsed. The budget airline known for its bright yellow planes succumbed to crushing fuel prices and announced in the early hours of Saturday that "all flights have been canceled, and customer service is no longer available" as it "started winding down its global operations, effective immediately."

A message for customers is displayed through the self-service check-in kiosks of Spirit Airlines after the company ceased global operations at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on May 2, 2026. US air carriers mobilized Saturday to help passengers and crew members stranded by the overnight shutdown of Spirit Airlines, after last-minute talks with creditors and the White House collapsed. The budget airline known for its bright yellow planes succumbed to crushing fuel prices and announced in the early hours of Saturday that "all flights have been canceled, and customer service is no longer available" as it "started winding down its global operations, effective immediately."

The Spirit Airlines ticket counter at Detroit Metro Airport is closed down after the airline shut down overnight on May 2, 2026 in Romulus, Mich. Spirit Aviation Holdings Inc. announced today that it has canceled all upcoming flights and begun a wind-down of Spirit Airlines operations after failing to secure funding from the Trump administration.

Spirit Airlines planes are parked on the tarmac at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on May 2, 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Spirit Aviation Holdings Inc. announced today that it has canceled all upcoming flights and begun a wind-down of Spirit Airlines operations after failing to secure funding from the Trump administration.

Vanessa Potosi and her daughter Emiliana Cardona try to find another flight to Colombia after their Spirit Airlines flight was canceled when the company shut down overnight at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on May 2, 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Spirit Aviation Holdings Inc. announced today that it has canceled all upcoming flights and begun a wind-down of Spirit Airlines operations after failing to secure funding from the Trump administration.

Spirit Airlines announced on May 2 that it was suspending operations after more than 30 years in the business and years of financial hardships. The historic Marine Air Terminal, where Spirit’s operation is housed at LaGuardia International Airport in New York, was largely deserted on Saturday morning.

All flights have been canceled, and the line's customer service is no longer available.

A security guard stands at the door of a boarding gate were a displayed sign informs passengers of the airlines shutdown of Spirit Airlines at LaGuardia Airport in Queens, in New York City, U.S., May 2, 2026.

A mobile phone displays a Spirit Airlines operational update website, as the airline announced it was ceasing operations early Saturday morning following an impasse in talks with some creditors on a $500 million government bailout plan, at Orlando International Airport in Orlando, Florida, U.S., May 2, 2026.

A departure board displays cancelled Spirit Airlines flights at Orlando International Airport, as the airline announced it was ceasing operations early Saturday morning following an impasse in talks with some creditors on a $500 million government bailout plan, in Orlando, Florida, U.S., May 2, 2026.

Literature left on a table for arriving passengers informing them of the airlines shutdown of Spirit Airlines at LaGuardia Airport in Queens, in New York City, U.S., May 2, 2026.

An airline worker waits at the Spirit Airlines terminal at LaGuardia Airport in Queens, in New York City, U.S., May 2, 2026.

The Spirit Airlines ticket counter at Detroit Metro Airport is closed down after the airline shut down overnight on May 2, 2026 in Romulus, Michigan. Spirit Aviation Holdings Inc. announced today that it has canceled all upcoming flights and begun a wind-down of Spirit Airlines operations after failing to secure funding from the Trump administration.

A busy United ticket counter next to the closed Spirit Airlines ticket counter at Detroit Metro Airport after the airline shut down overnight on May 2, 2026 in Romulus, Michigan. Spirit Aviation Holdings Inc. announced today that it has canceled all upcoming flights and begun a wind-down of Spirit Airlines operations after failing to secure funding from the Trump administration.

Jeanne Dossous cleans around the Spirit Airlines check-in counter at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on May 2, 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Spirit Aviation Holdings Inc. announced today that it has canceled all upcoming flights and begun a wind-down of Spirit Airlines operations after failing to secure funding from the Trump administration.

A JetBlue plane takes off near idle Spirit Airlines planes on the tarmac at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on May 2, 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Spirit Aviation Holdings Inc. announced today that it has canceled all upcoming flights and begun a wind-down of Spirit Airlines operations after failing to secure funding from the Trump administration.