u/coasterghost

Preface: So, I just decided to share it here as well for you all to see. If you've been watching social media or the news for the last few days, you'll notice a very common theme. A large swath of people are blaming the actions of the last Administration and actions of sitting politicians for the demise of Spirit Airlines. Quite frankly, they are woefully underinformed and are just doing this to manipulate people and to feed into a baseless narrative. They fail to note several things, mainly that of the Pratt and Whitney engine recall that plagued a lot of Spirit's Fleet, their rejecting from Frontier's merger after telling shareholders to vote against JetBlue's offer to ultimately rejecting Frontier's merger offer in 2025.

No matter what would have happened, Spirit would have died.

Spirit accepts the 2022 Frontier merger —> Spirit is absorbed into Frontier and no-longer exists

The 2023 JetBlue/Spirit Merger approved —> Spirit is absorbed into JetBlue and no-longer exists

Spirit accepts the 2025 Frontier merger —> Spirit is absorbed into Frontier and no-longer exists

U.S Government takes 90% control of Spirit —> Spirit is sold off and absorbed into the buyer.

So, when you look at the overall picture, it's pretty interesting to see when you put all of the data together, that the collapse of Spirit was not only inevitable and how it really accelerated over the last few years.

With my preface aside, here is and linked to all applicable sources, the detailed and likely incomplete timeline of the collapse of Spirit Airlines:

Oct 23, 2019: Spirit Airlines orders 100 brand new Airbus A320 Neo aircraft. An order of this size is estimated at a cost between $10B and $12B

Dec. 2019: At the end of the year, Spirit posts a net income of $335.2M and a total debt of $3.57B, JetBlue posts a net income $569M and a debt of $3.15B. Frontier posts a net income $54M and a debt of $2.5B.

Jan 30, 2020: The World Health Organization declares the outbreak of COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern.

March 11, 2020: The WHO declares COVID to be a pandemic.

March 13, 2020: Trump declared a national emergency 13 for COVID-19.

July 2020: American Airlines and JetBlue announce plans for a Northeast Alliance.

Dec. 2020: Due to the pandemic at the end of the year, Spirit posts net loss of $428.7M and debt increases to $4.90B, JetBlue posts a net loss of $1.35B and debt increases to $5.72B. Frontier posts a net loss of $225M and debt increases to $2.61B. Globally Major carriers reduced capacity by 80 to 95%.

January 2021: The Department of Transportation approves of the plans for a Northeast Alliance of American Airlines and JetBlue.

Sept. 2021: The Department of Justice and Six States initiated an antitrust lawsuit against the Northeast Alliance of American Airlines and JetBlue.

Dec. 2021: At the end of the year, Spirit posts net loss of $452.9M and debt increases to $5.11B, JetBlue posts a net loss of $182M and debt decreases to $4.80B. Frontier posts a net loss of $102M and debt increases to $2.84B.

Feb. 2022: Frontier Airlines announced its intention to acquire Spirit for $2.9 billion.

April 2022: JetBlue makes a $3.6 billion all-cash offer for Spirit.

May 2, 2022: Spirit board rejects JetBlue offer on antitrust risks and specifically notes the Northeast Alliance with American Airlines.

May 19, 2022: Spirit board urges Stockholders to reject JetBlue’s Offer and to vote to merge with Frontier.

July 27, 2022: Spirit announces that they have terminated the merger agreement with Frontier.

July 28, 2022: Spirit and JetBlue announce that their boards have agreed to a merger of $3.8B

Oct. 19, 2022: Shareholders of Spirit overwhelmingly approve of the sale.

Dec. 2022: At the end of the year, Spirit posts net loss of $554M and debt increases to $6.21B, JetBlue posts a net loss of $363M and debt decreases to $4.38B. Frontier posts a net loss of $37M and debt increases to $2.92B.

March 7, 2023: The Department of Justice sues to block the merger of JetBlue and Spirit.

May 19, 2023: U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts ruled against the JetBlue–American partnership stating it was anticompetitive.

July 5, 2023: American Airlines announces an appeal of the court’s ruling. Jetblue announces that it will oblige with the court’s ruling and will terminate the agreement and proceed with trying to Merge with Spirit.

Between July and September 2023: Pratt & Whitney starts a multi-year recall of PW1100G-JM geared turbofan (GTF) engines powering Airbus A320neo family aircraft due to contaminated powdered metal, requiring accelerated inspections and removals.

Oct. 31, 2023: The antitrust trial of the merger of Spirit and Jetblue begins in Boston.

Dec. 2023: At the end of the year, Spirit posts net loss of $447M and debt increases to $6.93B, JetBlue posts a net loss of $310M and debt increases to $5.38B. Frontier posts a net loss of $11M and debt increases to $3.45B.

January 16, 2024: The US District Court for the District of Massachusetts blocks the merger stating it was anticompetitive and that it would harm consumers.

March 4, 2024: Jetblue officially abandons the merger with Spirit Airlines. Jetblue pays Spirit a $69M fee.

March 29, 2024: Due to issues in the Airbus A320neos using Pratt and Whitney PW1100G engines, which represents upwards of 20% of their fleet. Spirit is credited till the end of the year $150M to $200M in the form of a “monthly credit from International Aero Engines”

In 2024 the number of grounded Spirit aircraft due to the Pratt and Whitney engine recall is around 40.

Nov 8, 2024: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit upholds Judge Leo Sorokin ruling against the JetBlue–American partnership.

Nov. 18, 2024: Spirit files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Dec. 2024: At the end of the year, Spirit posts net loss of $1.23B and debt decrease to $6.81B, JetBlue posts a net loss of $795M and debt increases to $9.14B. Frontier posts a net income of $85M and debt increases to $4.46B.

Jan. 29, 2025: Spirit Airlines and Frontier revive merger talks as disclosed in a security filing. Spirit notes it declined an “inadequate and unactionable” offer but would consider a revised offer.

Feb. 4, 2025: Frontier submits offer for Spirit

Feb. 7, 2025, Spirit submitted a counterproposal to Frontier

Feb. 10, 2025: Frontier rejects the Spirit Counterproposal in its entirety and reiterated the Feb. 4 offer

Feb. 11 2025: Spirit Airlines rejects the revised merger offer from Frontier worth around $2.16B

March 2025: Spirit exits bankruptcy after financial restructuring

April 2025: American Airlines sues JetBlue for $100M over the Northeast Alliance

May 29, 2025: Jetblue and United announce plans for a partnership that allows travelers to book flights on both carriers' websites and to use their respective loyalty points.

June 9, 2025: Spirit amends their agreement and receive get compensation subject to conditions from Pratt and Whitney from the groundings worth between $150M-$195M

June 30, 2025: The United States Supreme Court rejects an appeal by American Airlines regarding the JetBlue–American partnership.

July 29, 2025: The United States Department of Transportation approves Jetblue and United’s partnership.

Aug. 12 2025, Spirit Airlines said it might not be able to survive a year.

Aug. 29 2025: Spirit files again for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Spirit notes they have around $8.1B in debt.

Sept. 2025: Spirit Announces plans to furlough a third of their flight attendants and to reduce in November their scheduled flights by 25%.

Sept. 3, 2025: Spirit has 38 grounded Airbus A320neos with recalled PW1100G engines.

Oct. 3 2025: Spirit files in bankruptcy court documents to reject 87 aircraft leases representing 40.65% of their fleet. The size of Spirits fleet is to go from around 214 to around 127.

Oct. 17 2025: Spirit announces plans to furlough 365 pilots and to downgrade upwards of 160 more pilots in Q1 of 2026.

Dec. 15 2025: Spirit gets a $100M lifeline. $50M is immediate, and the additional $50M is dependent on making continued progress towards reorganization or another merger offer.  

Dec. 2025: At the end of the year, Spirit posts net loss of $2.7B. JetBlue posts a net loss of $602M and debt increases to $9.42B. Frontier posts a net loss of $137M and debt increases to $5.46B.

Feb 13, 2026: Spirit announces a deal to sell 20 aircraft and to recall furloughed flight attendants. Spirits fleet is down to around 100 aircraft.

Feb 22, 2026: A judge rules that Jetblue has to face an American Airlines lawsuit for $100M

Feb 28, 2026: Israel and the United States launch a joint attack on Iran and that causes in the forthcoming weeks for oil prices surge more than 55% with jet fuel increasing by 82%

March 25, 2026: JetBlue obtains advisers for potential sale according to Semafor

April 15, 2026: Reports emerge that Spirit was facing possible liquidation by the end of the week

April 16, 2026: David Neeleman the founder of Jetblue says the airline is at risk of going bankrupt in 2026 due to fuel prices.

April 17, 2026: Reports emerge that Spirit has asked the Trump Administration for a bailout

April 20, 2026: Jetblue CEO Joanna Geraghty tells employees the carrier was not considering bankruptcy for 2026 

April 22, 2026: Bloomberg Reports that Spirit and the White House are nearing a deal where the U.S. Federal Government would own 90% of Spirit.

April 23, 2026: President Trump says he's weighing deal for the U.S to takeover Spirit. Trump also openly mulls that "when the prices of oil goes down, we’ll sell it for a profit,"

April 24, 2026: CBS News reports that the White House is “exploring using the Defense Production Act” to save Spirit

April 26, 2026: The Wall Street Journal reports that the Association of Value Airlines has asked the Trump Administration for a $2.5B plan to offset fuel ​costs increases due to the war in Iran

May 1, 2026 at 11:00am ET: The Wall Street Journal Reports that Spirit is preparing to shut down

May 1, 2026 around 1pm ET: It was reported that President Trump as given "a final proposal" for a federal bailout to save Spirit

May 1, 2026 at 4:00pm ET: The Wall Street Journal collaborates earlier reporting in the day by CBS News that Spirit was expected to Cease Operations Around 3 AM Eastern.

May 1, 2026 at around 8:00pm ET: Reports emerge on Social Media that Spirit has started to cancel flights for that evening.

May 1, 2026 at 8:59pm ET: Bloomberg Reports that the Federal Government and Spirit have ended talks without a deal being reached.

May 2, 2026 at 1:09am ET: Flight 1833 from Detroit to Dallas lands marking the final flight of Spirit.

May 2, 2026: Spirit Airlines ceases operations at 3 AM Eastern.

It's pretty interesting to see when you put all of the data together the collapse of Spirit and how it really accelerated over the last few years.

Oct 23, 2019: Spirit Airlines orders 100 brand new Airbus A320 Neo aircraft. An order of this size is estimated at a cost between $10B and $12B

Dec. 2019: At the end of the year, Spirit posts a net income of $335.2M and a total debt of $3.57B, JetBlue posts a net income $569M and a debt of $3.15B. Frontier posts a net income $54M and a debt of $2.5B.

Jan 30, 2020: The World Health Organization declares the outbreak of COVID-19 a public health emergency of international concern.

March 11, 2020: The WHO declares COVID to be a pandemic.

March 13, 2020: Trump declared a national emergency 13 for COVID-19.

July 2020: American Airlines and JetBlue announce plans for a Northeast Alliance.

Dec. 2020: Due to the pandemic at the end of the year, Spirit posts net loss of $428.7M and debt increases to $4.90B, JetBlue posts a net loss of $1.35B and debt increases to $5.72B. Frontier posts a net loss of $225M and debt increases to $2.61B. Globally Major carriers reduced capacity by 80 to 95%.

January 2021: The Department of Transportation approves of the plans for a Northeast Alliance of American Airlines and JetBlue.

Sept. 2021: The Department of Justice and Six States initiated an antitrust lawsuit against the Northeast Alliance of American Airlines and JetBlue.

Dec. 2021: At the end of the year, Spirit posts net loss of $452.9M and debt increases to $5.11B, JetBlue posts a net loss of $182M and debt decreases to $4.80B. Frontier posts a net loss of $102M and debt increases to $2.84B.

Feb. 2022: Frontier Airlines announced its intention to acquire Spirit for $2.9 billion.

April 2022: JetBlue makes a $3.6 billion all-cash offer for Spirit.

May 2, 2022: Spirit board rejects JetBlue offer on antitrust risks and specifically notes the Northeast Alliance with American Airlines.

May 19, 2022: Spirit board urges Stockholders to reject JetBlue’s Offer and to vote to merge with Frontier.

July 27, 2022: Spirit announces that they have terminated the merger agreement with Frontier.

July 28, 2022: Spirit and JetBlue announce that their boards have agreed to a merger of $3.8B

Dec. 2022: At the end of the year, Spirit posts net loss of $554M and debt increases to $6.21B, JetBlue posts a net loss of $363M and debt decreases to $4.38B. Frontier posts a net loss of $37M and debt increases to $2.92B.

March 7, 2023: The Department of Justice sues to block the merger of JetBlue and Spirit.

May 19, 2023: U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts ruled against the JetBlue–American partnership stating it was anticompetitive.

July 5, 2023: American Airlines announces an appeal of the court’s ruling. Jetblue announces that it will oblige with the court’s ruling and will terminate the agreement and proceed with trying to Merge with Spirit.

Between July and September 2023: Pratt & Whitney starts a multi-year recall of PW1100G-JM geared turbofan (GTF) engines powering Airbus A320neo family aircraft due to contaminated powdered metal, requiring accelerated inspections and removals.

Oct. 31, 2023: The antitrust trial of the merger of Spirit and Jetblue begins in Boston.

Dec. 2023: At the end of the year, Spirit posts net loss of $447M and debt increases to $6.93B, JetBlue posts a net loss of $310M and debt increases to $5.38B. Frontier posts a net loss of $11M and debt increases to $3.45B.

January 16, 2024: The US District Court for the District of Massachusetts blocks the merger stating it was anticompetitive and that it would harm consumers.

March 4, 2024: Jetblue officially abandons the merger with Spirit Airlines. Jetblue pays Spirit a $69M fee.

March 29, 2024: Due to issues in the Airbus A320neos using Pratt and Whitney PW1100G engines, which represents upwards of 20% of their fleet. Spirit is credited till the end of the year $150M to $200M in the form of a “monthly credit from International Aero Engines”

In 2024 the number of grounded Spirit aircraft due to the Pratt and Whitney engine recall is around 40.

Nov 8, 2024: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit upholds Judge Leo Sorokin ruling against the JetBlue–American partnership.

Nov. 18, 2024: Spirit files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Dec. 2024: At the end of the year, Spirit posts net loss of $1.23B and debt decrease to $6.81B, JetBlue posts a net loss of $795M and debt increases to $9.14B. Frontier posts a net income of $85M and debt increases to $4.46B.

Jan. 29, 2025: Spirit Airlines and Frontier revive merger talks as disclosed in a security filing. Spirit notes it declined an “inadequate and unactionable” offer but would consider a revised offer.

Feb. 4, 2025: Frontier submits offer for Spirit

Feb. 7, 2025, Spirit submitted a counterproposal to Frontier

Feb. 10, 2025: Frontier rejects the Spirit Counterproposal in its entirety and reiterated the Feb. 4 offer

Feb. 11 2025: Spirit Airlines rejects the revised merger offer from Frontier worth around $2.16B

March 2025: Spirit exits bankruptcy after financial restructuring

April 2025: American Airlines sues JetBlue for $100M over the Northeast Alliance

May 29, 2025: Jetblue and United announce plans for a partnership that allows travelers to book flights on both carriers' websites and to use their respective loyalty points.

June 9, 2025: Spirit amends their agreement and receive get compensation subject to conditions from Pratt and Whitney from the groundings worth between $150M-$195M

June 30, 2025: The United States Supreme Court rejects an appeal by American Airlines regarding the JetBlue–American partnership.

July 29, 2025: The United States Department of Transportation approves Jetblue and United’s partnership.

Aug. 12 2025, Spirit Airlines said it might not be able to survive a year.

Aug. 29 2025: Spirit files again for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Spirit notes they have around $8.1B in debt.

Sept. 2025: Spirit Announces plans to furlough a third of their flight attendants and to reduce in November their scheduled flights by 25%.

Sept. 3, 2025: Spirit has 38 grounded Airbus A320neos with recalled PW1100G engines.

Oct. 3 2025: Spirit files in bankruptcy court documents to reject 87 aircraft leases representing 40.65% of their fleet. The size of Spirits fleet is to go from around 214 to around 127.

Oct. 17 2025: Spirit announces plans to furlough 365 pilots and to downgrade upwards of 160 more pilots in Q1 of 2026.

Dec. 15 2025: Spirit gets a $100M lifeline. $50M is immediate, and the additional $50M is dependent on making continued progress towards reorganization or another merger offer.  

Dec. 2025: At the end of the year, Spirit posts net loss of $2.7B. JetBlue posts a net loss of $602M and debt increases to $9.42B. Frontier posts a net loss of $137M and debt increases to $5.46B.

Feb 13, 2026: Spirit announces a deal to sell 20 aircraft and to recall furloughed flight attendants. Spirits fleet is down to around 100 aircraft.

Feb 22, 2026: A judge rules that Jetblue has to face an American Airlines lawsuit for $100M

Feb 28, 2026: Israel and the United States launch a joint attack on Iran and that causes in the forthcoming weeks for oil prices surge more than 55% with jet fuel increasing by 82%

March 25, 2026: JetBlue obtains advisers for potential sale according to Semafor

April 15, 2026: Reports emerge that Spirit was facing possible liquidation by the end of the week

April 16, 2026: David Neeleman the founder of Jetblue says the airline is at risk of going bankrupt in 2026 due to fuel prices.

April 17, 2026: Reports emerge that Spirit has asked the Trump Administration for a bailout

April 20, 2026: Jetblue CEO Joanna Geraghty tells employees the carrier was not considering bankruptcy for 2026 

April 22, 2026: Bloomberg Reports that Spirit and the White House are nearing a deal where the U.S. Federal Government would own 90% of Spirit.

April 23, 2026: President Trump says he's weighing deal for the U.S to takeover Spirit. Trump also openly mulls that "when the prices of oil goes down, we’ll sell it for a profit,"

April 24, 2026: CBS News reports that the White House is “exploring using the Defense Production Act” to save Spirit

April 26, 2026: The Wall Street Journal reports that the Association of Value Airlines has asked the Trump Administration for a $2.5B plan to offset fuel ​costs increases due to the war in Iran

May 1, 2026 at 11:00am ET: The Wall Street Journal Reports that Spirit is preparing to shut down

May 1, 2026 around 1pm ET: It was reported that President Trump as given "a final proposal" for a federal bailout to save Spirit

May 1, 2026 at 4:00pm ET: The Wall Street Journal collaborates earlier reporting in the day by CBS News that Spirit was expected to Cease Operations Around 3 AM Eastern.

May 1, 2026 at around 8:00pm ET: Reports emerge on Social Media that Spirit has started to cancel flights for that evening.

May 1, 2026 at 8:59pm ET: Bloomberg Reports that the Federal Government and Spirit have ended talks without a deal being reached.

May 2, 2026 at 1:09am ET: Flight 1833 from Detroit to Dallas lands marking the final flight of Spirit.

May 2, 2026: Spirit Airlines ceases operations at 3 AM Eastern.

Edit: clarifications and added a bit more and adding links for each timeline stamp.

Edit 2: expanding scope where deemed necessary based on user comments.

American Airlines is doing the following things to care for Spirit’s customers and team
members:
• We are implementing rescue fares on Spirit routes where American also offers nonstop service. (Note: American serves 70 of the 72 airports Spirit presently serves, and 67 of the specific routes Spirit currently operates.)
• We are reviewing opportunities to add additional capacity, including utilizing larger aircraft on critical routes — to support as many affected passengers as possible.
• We will provide transportation for Spirit team members who have been displaced on a work trip.
• We are creating a microsite on jobs.aa.com, and we will hold recruiting events in the coming weeks in order to help welcome qualified Spirit team members to American.

Delta Air Lines is taking a range of actions to support travelers who may be impacted by
recent developments at Spirit:
• We are offering reduced, nonrefundable rescue fares in affected markets over the next five days to help travelers book last-minute travel.
• These fares are available even on flights that are close to full, giving travelers more options when availability is limited.
• These options are available across all domestic markets where Spirit operates, including routes Delta serves nonstop and through one-stop connections via our hubs.
• We’ve also extended these reduced fare options to all routes between the U.S. and Latin America where Spirit operates.
• Travelers can access these rescue fares and find more information by visiting delta.com.

JetBlue Airways is stepping in to support Spirit customers and team members through
the following actions:
• To assist stranded Spirit customers with imminent travel, JetBlue is offering $99 one-way fares to individuals with proof of a valid Spirit itinerary for the same route (or sister cities) for travel through Wednesday, May 6. These customers should call 1-800-JETBLUE to discuss their situation.
• JetBlue will also cap all Blue Basic fares at $299 on JetBlue-operated nonstop routes to and from FLL and SJU that were also operated by Spirit. These caps apply to new itinerary purchases made through May 8, 2026, for travel May 2 – 8, 2026.
• To support Spirit pilots and flight attendants who may be stranded following the airline’s shutdown, JetBlue will assist with their travel by extending its jumpseat agreement for the next two weeks, subject to space availability and limited to cabin seating.
• JetBlue plans to offer preferential employment interviews to qualified Spirit team
members impacted by the shutdown who apply to join JetBlue.
• Over the past year, JetBlue continued to grow in FLL – launching service to 21 new cities and increasing our flight count by nearly 32 daily departures – building further depth and connectivity in our South Florida focus city.

Southwest Airlines is prepared to assist travelers affected by disruptions related to
Spirit Airlines’ cessation of operations.
• Customers holding Spirit reservations may access special Southwest fares at Southwest ticket counters at their departure airport for eligible routes through 11:59 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, May 6. For domestic travel, these special fares will be offered for flights where Southwest provides overlapping service, based on ticket mileage:
• 0-500 miles: $200
• 501-1,000 miles: $300
• 1,000+ miles: $400

• For international flights, Southwest will also offer discounted rates.
• In addition, Spirit Customers who hold Spirit Silver or Gold Status can enjoy the benefits
of A-List with the airline’s status match program.
• Finally, for any displaced employees, please
visit: https://careers.southwestair.com/us/en/. This has the latest information regarding
job postings.

United Airlines is taking the following actions to support Spirit’s customers and
employees:
• United will immediately launch a unique website to communicate and offer special rescue fares to impacted Spirit customers.
• Fares for Spirit customers will be capped at $199 for one-way flights and $299 for
longer/connecting flights.
• The website is: united.com/specialfares
• Cities include but are not limited to: EWR, BWI, ORD, IAH, TPA, MCO, FLL, RSW, LAS, LAX, and MIA
• Additionally, we are looking at opportunities to assist any stranded Spirit crews and
employees with travel on United.
• United is extending pass travel benefits for Spirit employees so they can fly on
United over the next two weeks and get home safely.
• For employees, as United is growing and hiring, we will prioritize job interviews for Spirit
team members to the extent feasible.
• Spirit employees can apply at united.com/SpiritEmployees where job applications
will be flagged for our recruiters to prioritize.
• Finally, we are considering potential additional flights where possible to/from cities where
Spirit flew to further assist stranded passengers.

Source: The United States Department of Transportation https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2026-05/A4A%20Carrier%20Actions%20Supporting%20Spirit%20Customers%20Employees.pdf

https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/trumps-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-secures-relief-spirit-airlines-flyers