ORLANDO, Fla. — On September 23, ultra-low-cost provider Spirit Airways introduced plans to furlough 1,800 workers nationwide as a part of its chapter restructuring, with Central Florida being considerably affected.
In a discover filed with the state, Spirit indicated that 350 flight attendants primarily based at Orlando Worldwide Airport can be furloughed beginning December 1. Further furloughs embrace 71 attendants at Miami Worldwide Airport and 309 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Worldwide Airport.
“This furlough is anticipated to be momentary; nevertheless, we’re uncertain about its length,” Spirit knowledgeable state officers within the submitting.
The airline, primarily based in Dania Seashore, filed for Chapter 11 chapter safety on August 29, marking its second such submitting in lower than a yr. Spirit reported a web lack of $245.8 million within the second quarter of 2025 and a 20% income drop in comparison with the earlier yr. Over the previous 52 weeks, its inventory has traded between 16 cents and 65 cents, opening at 35 cents on September 25.
“As a part of our ongoing restructuring, we’re taking measures to align staffing with our fleet measurement and anticipated flight quantity,” a Spirit spokesperson acknowledged. “We acknowledge the impression of this resolution on affected group members, and we’re dedicated to treating them with care and respect.”
Regardless of the employees reductions, Spirit is enhancing advantages for its Free Spirit Journey Extra Mastercard®, co-branded with Financial institution of America. Beginning this week, major cardholders can examine as much as two free baggage on each Spirit flight booked by spirit.com or the airline’s cell app. This profit applies to baggage weighing as much as 50 kilos and contains sports activities gear like golf golf equipment and skis.
“Our most loyal friends know they get the best worth after they select Spirit, and now the Free Spirit Journey Extra Mastercard makes flying with us much more rewarding,” mentioned Rana Ghosh, Spirit’s senior vice chairman and chief business officer.
This new perk provides to present cardholder advantages akin to precedence check-in and boarding, complimentary space-available upgrades, and a 25% rebate on inflight meals and beverage purchases. New cardholders also can earn 50,000 bonus factors and a $100 companion flight voucher after assembly sure spending necessities.
Orlando Stays a Key Market
Regardless of the furloughs, Spirit continues to be Orlando Worldwide Airport’s second-busiest provider, serving over 7.83 million passengers in 2024 and capturing almost 14% of the market share. Solely Southwest Airways carried extra passengers by Orlando final yr.
Trade analysts word that these layoffs mirror a broader nationwide pattern: U.S. employers introduced almost 86,000 job cuts in August, marking the very best degree for that month since 2020, in response to Challenger, Grey & Christmas.
