Spirit Airlines shut down operations early Saturday, grounding its entire fleet and canceling all flights nationwide — leaving thousands of Californians scrambling to rebook travel in and out of major airports such as Los Angeles, Burbank and Orange County.
The Florida-based ultra-low-cost carrier said it began an “orderly wind-down” after bailout talks collapsed, following years of failed mergers, repeated bankruptcies and rising jet fuel costs. All customer service has been shut down, and Spirit’s booking site now directs travelers to a limited Q&A page.
“It is with great disappointment that on May 2, 2026, Spirit Airlines started an orderly wind-down of our operations, effective immediately,” Spirit said on its website. “To our Guests: all flights have been canceled, and customer service is no longer available. We are proud of the impact of our ultra-low-cost model on the industry over the last 34 years and had hoped to serve our Guests for many years to come.”
If you were scheduled to fly Spirit from or within California, here’s what to know — and what to do next.
Where Spirit Airlines flew out of California
Amid its bankruptcy restructuring and recent route cuts, Spirit has been scaling back service in California. Current California airports served by Spirit before its Saturday shutdown included:
Many of these routes connected California travelers to cities in Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Florida and the Midwest. Travelers departing from California should rebook directly with another airline serving their airport.
Are all Spirit flights canceled?
Yes. Do not go to the airport. All Spirit flights are canceled, effective immediately. You will need to rebook on another airline.
Can I get a refund for my Spirit flight?
Can Spirit help me rebook my flight on another airline?
No.
American Airlines, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest offer support, rescue fares
However, the following airlines have agreed to help stranded travelers:
Things are moving fast; other airlines may step up today. Check carriers flying your route to see what’s available.
Will Spirit refund additional costs for emergency hotel stays or replacement flights?
No. Spirit instructs travelers who purchased flight insurance to check with their carrier to see if such expenses are covered.
What do I do if Spirit won’t refund my ticket?
Why did Spirit Airlines shut down?
Spirit had been in talks with the White House about a potential bailout in exchange for warrants for a 90% stake in the company. The struggling ultra-low-cost airline had been working toward emerging by this summer from its second bankruptcy since 2024, drastically shrinking its network, selling aircraft, and renegotiating its debt, after a failed merger with JetBlue and two bankruptcies since 2024.
But rising jet fuel costs from the Iran war, generally about 40% of a carrier’s operating costs, strained the Daria Beach-based carrier’s plans to the breaking point.
On Friday, President Donald Trump said Spirit’s offer wasn’t good enough.
“We’re looking at Spirit. If we can help them, we will, but we have to come first,” Trump told reporters before leaving for an appearance in The Villages. “If we could do it, we’d do it, but only if it’s a good deal this weekend, because they haven’t gotten a deal looking at it.”
Some of Spirit’s creditors objected to the terms of the bailout, The New York Times reported, since they would be left in a worse financial position if Spirit eventually failed. “Some Republican lawmakers were also opposed to a government bailout of Spirit,” the Times said.
Spirit announced it was shutting down early Saturday morning.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Spirit Airlines shuts down: How Californians can rebook, get refunds
Reporting by C. A. Bridges and James Ward, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
